Alchemia patents tipped to aid fundraising
14 November, 2002 by Pete YoungCarbohydrate-based drug design and manufacture company Alchemia has secured two key patents on its technology platform that should aid its efforts to tie off a multimillion dollar fundraising exercise.
New pact brings in funds for Ambri
14 November, 2002 by Pete YoungBiosensor company Ambri will receive an injection of up to $15.7 million under an equity and technology licensing pact with Dow Corning Corp and diversified US biotech Genencor International.
OGTR calls time out on GM crop applications
13 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerThe Gene Technology Regulator, Dr Sue Meek, has decided to "stop the clock" on two applications for commercial release of genetically modified canola while she waits for updated information on technology stewardship, crop management strategies and supply chain management.
Transnational transgenic deal for CopyRat
13 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerMonash University spin-off CopyRat has entered into a joint venture with French company genOway to develop rat cloning technology.
Eiffel unfazed by BattellePharma termination
13 November, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillThe decision by the world's largest private biotech, BattellePharma, to terminate its research agreement with Melbourne-based drug re-engineering company Eiffel Technologies will have little effect on the company's financial position, an Eiffel spokesman said today.
New receptor studies
13 November, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillWhat do certain anaesthetics, sedatives, and drugs for depression, anxiety and epilepsy have in common?
Pulmosonix brings forward clinical trials
12 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne devices company Pulmosonix is planning to start clinical trials for its two medical devices earlier than originally foreshadowed, according to a recent announcement by parent company Premier Bionics.
GM poppies for the apple isle
11 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerGenetically modified oilseed poppies will be field-tested in Tasmania after receiving approval last week from both the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and the Tasmanian State Government's Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment (DIPWE).
Shunning GM could cost future market share: report
11 November, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillA new economic model indicates Australia won't reap an export bonanza by adopting genetically modified (GM) crops, but could see its market share stagnate or decline if it rejects or over-regulates GM crops and foods.
Khan drops Biota takeover bid
08 November, 2002 by Pete YoungPerth entrepreneur Farooq Khan has junked his plan to pursue a scrip-based hostile takeover of Biota Holdings Ltd.
Ellex hit by sales slump, MD resignation
08 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerOphthalmic laser manufacturer Ellex Medical was battered this week after announcing a downturn in revenues caused by lower than expected sales, as well as the unanticipated resignation of managing director Peter Rowland due to differences with the board over the direction of the company.
Devine, Progen split
06 November, 2002 by Pete YoungQueensland biotech Progen Industries and business development vice president Dr Peter Devine have parted company.
Abbott-Domantis agreement may affect Peptech's future
06 November, 2002 by Graeme O'NeillPharmaceutical giant Abbott Laboratories has signed an agreement with UK-based Domantis that gives it non-exclusive access to Domantis' single-domain designer technology for new 'lite' antibody therapeutics.
Bioprocessing feature: Out of the vat
06 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerBioprocessing and fermentation are essential parts of the biotechnology product development cycle. If a drug or therapeutic is produced by a living organism, whether it's bacteria, yeast, plant cells or mammalian cells, some form of large-scale fermentation or culture is required to produce the entity, and usually some form of downstream processing is necessary to extract, purify, concentrate and formulate the end product.
VRI receives TGA approval
04 November, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerWestern Australian probiotics company VRI BioMedical has received Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for its gastrointestinal product, Progastrim.