Industry News
Queensland gets closer to Texas
Closer ties between a Texas biomedical research powerhouse and Queensland biotech institutes have been foreshadowed by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie. [ + ]
Gene researcher wins award
Karen Lower has won Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital's annual Young Investigator of the Year Award for her work identifying the genetic cause of Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome (BFLS), a severe form of intellectual disability. [ + ]
Vic biomeds dominate BIF round funding
Biomedicine companies emerged the big winners among 22 biotech hopefuls who will share $4.74 million in the latest round of Biotechnology Innovation Fund grants. [ + ]
Bug DNA used to fight disease
Australian scientists are claiming a world-first technique for using DNA 'fingerprints' of bacteria as an early warning system against disease epidemics. [ + ]
Iatia IPO closes early after big demand
Optical technologies group Iatia has closed its initial public offering two days early after successfully raising $5 million to assist its commercialisation program. [ + ]
Human cloning in Australia planned
Stem Cell Sciences has been granted the international patent for a form of cell nucleus replacement cloning, the technique used by Scottish scientists to clone Dolly the sheep in 1997.
[ + ]$3.4 million grant for QIMR
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research has received a $3.43 million grant from Atlantic Philanthropies to further its work in developing a treatment for cancer without harmful side effects.
[ + ]Polartechnics promises more accurate cervical screen
A cervical screening product that its developer claims is more accurate than the conventional pap smear in detecting earlier grades of pre-cancer will be on the European market within the next few months, and in Australia by the end of the year. [ + ]
Novel proteins may target cystic fibrosis
Sydney company Proteome Systems has teamed up with US group Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics to find drug targets to combat the disease. [ + ]
Norwood makes a deal with Monash
Immunology therapies group Norwood Abbey has announced a research agreement with Monash University to develop and market its thymic manipulation technologies. [ + ]
UK network of genetic research parks
UK Health Secretary Alan Milburn has announced plans for the first national network of genetic research parks to put the UK at the leading edge of gene therapy.
[ + ]Synchrotron project on track for September start
John Brumby, minister for innovation, has said the $157 million Australian synchrotron project was on track for site works to commence in September 2002 and had reached another milestone with Garry Seaborne, project director, beginning work.
[ + ]Capellas: biotech needs computing collaboration
Biotechnology will reach its potential only if companies involved in related markets collaborate and focus on standards-based technologies rather than proprietary work, said Michael Capellas, chairman and chief executive officer of Compaq, on Thursday. [ + ]
Sydney investor grabs a $3m stake in Melbourne
A Sydney investment fund has moved to grab a stake in Melbourne bioscience commercialisation group Biocomm Services, cementing its exposure to emerging Victorian biotechnology firms. [ + ]
New pro-GM booklet launched
A booklet addressing gene technology issues was launched this week by Agrifood Awareness Australia - an industry alliance dedicated to increasing public awareness of gene technology. [ + ]