Research, biobusiness honoured in Australia Day awards
27 January, 2004 by Iain ScottLast week, ResMed's California-based chairman and CEO Dr Peter Farrell was in his usual stirring form at a Melbourne speech, referring to Australia as "Botswana" and the nation's flag as a "dog's breakfast". But perhaps he was just getting it all out of his system one last time -- on Monday, Farrell was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), one of the top gongs in the annual Australia Day honours
Starpharma has option to ditch PDF status
23 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe board of Melbourne nanotechnology company Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has been given the discretion to give up the company's pooled development fund (PDF) status if it becomes necessary.
Victory in sight on war against Johne's disease
23 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillIt's a Gollum of a pathogen: sneaky, tough, persistent, and able to remain hidden from its host's immune system as it goes about its nefarious business.
Gradipore names neighbour Minomic as distributor
22 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerSydney-based Gradipore (ASX:GDP) has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Sydney-based proteomics specialists Minomic to distribute its Gradiflow BF400 bioseparation instrument nationally.
New trial for Progen melanoma therapy
21 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillQueensland oncology drug-discovery company Progen Industries has begun a new Phase I/II clinical study of its lead anti-cancer compound PI-88 in patients with malignant melanoma.
CSL, Chiron move to Phase II hep C vaccine trial
20 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillThe hopes of hundreds of thousands of people around the world chronically infected with hepatitis C virus could be riding on an Australian clinical trial of a new, potentially life-saving vaccine being jointly developed by US-based Chiron Corporation and Melbourne pharmaceutical company CSL (ASX:CSL).
Fewer farmer objections to GM crops
20 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA national survey of Australian farmers' views on genetically modified (GM) crops has identified a marked shift in sentiment during the past 12 months, with fewer farmers now opposed.
Biotron wins Start grant for virus blocker trials
19 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillCanberra biotechnology company Biotron (ASX:BIT) has been offered a $1.66 million Commonwealth R&D Start grant to begin clinical development and testing of novel compounds designed to disrupt replication of the AIDS virus.
UNSW spin-off Biosignal to list in reverse takeover
19 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerBiosignal, a spin-off from the University of NSW, is to list on the ASX in late March through a reverse takeover of CTI Communications (ASX:CTC), a telecommunications services company.
Xeno virus no problem: researcher
16 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA new US finding, that transplanted human cells can form pig-human hybrid cells in foetal pigs, does not present a new hazard for transplants of humanised pig organs or cells into humans, according to a leading Melbourne xenotransplantation researcher.
pSivida to trade on German exchanges
15 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerPerth-based nanotech company pSivida (ASX:PSD) will soon commence trading on the German stock exchanges in Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart after meeting all listing requirements, the company has announced.
AustCancer touts US, UK opportunities
15 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAs Australian Cancer Technology heads into Phase II clinical trials for its Pentrix anti-cancer vaccine, the company says it is evaluating a couple of new opportunities to expand its oncology drug development pipeline from the US and UK.
Gradipore to acquire US plasma business
13 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerGradipore (ASX:GDP) has agreed to acquire a plasma therapeutics business in the US for AUD$6.42 million, providing it with a source of plasma for the development of a therapeutic product using its separations technology to purify plasma components.
Rockeby signs HK distributor
12 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerRecently floated diagnostics company Rockeby Biomed (ASX:RBY) has signed up Asia-Pacific healthcare and pharmaceutical distributor JDH Healthcare as its exclusive distributor for its Candia5 Rapid Test kit in Hong Kong and Macau.
NZ's Encoate to launch novel pest control method
12 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillNew Zealand biocontrol company Encoate will launch the latest wrinkle in pest control next month: shrink-wrapped bacteria to control pasture and lawn grubs.
