Childbirth tea may stop caterpillar scourge
30 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrUniversity of Queensland and Institute for Molecular Biology researcher Prof David Craik has isolated a protein that could help stop the advance of the voracious Helicoverpa caterpillar through our agricultural backyard.
Gradipore trade halted as director calls for board revamp
29 May, 2003 by Iain ScottTrading in shares of Sydney-based company Gradipore were halted this afternoon after one of the company's directors sought to call a shareholder meeting to remove four directors from the board and elect two new ones.
Sirtex back to business after failed takeover bid
29 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrWith Cephalon and its takeover retiring behind the sidelines - officially, at least -- Sirtex is back to business, according to founder and CEO Bruce Gray. With a changed team if necessary.
Peptech's arthritis dAb comes up trumps
28 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillSydney biotech Peptech has reported "outstanding" results from a cut-down experimental antibody molecule as potential treatment for the crippling autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis.
Mayne eases the pain with a $25m suit against Pan
28 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrHealthcare giant Mayne has filed a Victorian Supreme Court claim against troubled manufacturer Pan Pharmaceuticals, following an estimated $AUD25 million-plus loss of revenue and recall costs.
Progen scores Alchemia fallout
28 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrDiscovery biotech Progen has snapped up one of the casualties of last month's Alchemia implosion, in the form of business development manager Dr Darren Schliebs, previously employed at Alchemia's San Francisco office.
Solbec trades gold stakes to boost biotech
28 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrAnti-cancer biotech Solbec Pharmaceuticals has committed to abandoning its mining roots with a penultimate sell-off of several mineral leases, and a pledge to sell the remainder soon.
Cephalon crosses Sirtex's takeover 'line in the sand'
27 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrUS-based pharma Cephalon has pushed its share interest in drug delivery company Sirtex over the 85 per cent level, and so looks set to complete its intended takeover.
Biota inks Sankyo deal
27 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrBiota has signed a letter of intent with Japanese pharma Sankyo to collaborate on the development of small molecule long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor (LANI) drugs.
A forest in a petri dish
26 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillMolecular techniques are beginning to transform the forestry industry. Victoria's Department of Primary Industries' Forest Science Centre at Creswick has developed a way of growing wood in tissue culture, that enables researchers to rapidly determine effects of manipulating genes that influence wood growth and quality in long-lived forest trees.
Agbiotech's growing pains
26 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillVictoria prides itself as the powerhouse of Australian biotech. But not everything is blooming in the state's biotech garden, writes Graeme O'Neill
Biomed, Victorian style: big science
26 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerLocals thank strong government support for helping to boost Victoria's biomedical industry, Melissa Trudinger discovers.
Amrad sells property, gets to stay on
26 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne firm Amrad has sold its 4.7 hectare Richmond property to RMAC, a joint venture between Macquarie Bank and R Corporation, in a deal that allows Amrad to lease back its laboratory space, and provides a cash consideration of $AUD47.5 million.
Chemeq claims first blood in battle against superbugs
23 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerWestern Australian biotech Chemeq is claiming an early victory against against so-called 'superbugs', or antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria.
Ernst & Young exec touts 'inevitable' biotech boom
23 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThere's at least one respected member of the investment community who believes the biotech boom is around the corner. Despite the complications that have surrounded the birth of the international biotechnology industry, Leslie Platt, a biotech investment expert with the international accountancy firm Ernst and Young, is irrepressibly bullish about its future.
