Australia should look for competitive niches
13 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerSmaller countries like Australia should implement a well-defined strategy for the development of small technologies including micro- and nanotechnology, according to small technology commercialisation expert Kees Eijkel, in Melbourne to participate in the Healthy Opportunities from Small Technologies conference this week.
Venture capital investment picks up the pace
10 December, 2004 by Michael VitaleAustralian venture capitalists invested more than $1 million per week in Australian biotechnology in the past financial year, an increase on the previous year and a recovery to the historic level of two years ago. As in the past, a large portion of the investment was made by a small number of investors, and was received by a small number of investees.
Australian professor to chair WHO committee
10 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleProf Judith Whitworth - a specialist in hypertension, and current director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research - has been appointed for a three-year term as chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Advisory Committee on Health Research.
Charles River, Proteome Systems joint venture over
09 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleA joint venture between Massachusetts pharmaceutical services company Charles River Laboratories (NYSE:CRL) and Sydney's Proteome Systems (ASX:PXL) has been wound up, a victim of the US company's recent $1.5 billion merger with the Inveresk Group.
Nelson appoints new science advisor
06 December, 2004 by Staff WritersFederal education, training and science minister Brendan Nelson has named Dr Jade Sharples as his new science advisor.
Getting the most out of ideas
02 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerOpen innovation -- the concept that ideas and technology have to flow both into and out of companies in order to maximise the development and commercialisation of innovative new products and services -- needs to be embraced by Australian companies both in the biotech sector and other industries, according to visiting academic Prof Hank Chesbrough.
VC funds ready to roll
01 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerIf all the venture capital funds targeting the biotech sector get up and running, next year the Australian biotech industry will have access to more early-stage funding than ever before.
The end of the BIF boom?
29 November, 2004 by Michael VitaleWith Biotechnology Innovation Fund and R&D Start grants rolled into the new Commercial Ready, the Australian biotech sector may face a post-BIF bust, writes Michael Vitale.
Ex-Meditech CEO to head WA firm Acuron
29 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleThree months after being forced to step down as CEO of Melbourne biotech Meditech (ASX:MTR) after a shareholder stoush, expat South African Chris Carter has been appointed CEO of Western Australian minerals-explorer-turned-biotech Acuron (ASX:AVP).
Students solve universal lab problem
24 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerA team of students at the Howard Florey Institute has won a national award for developing the most innovative product in the Young Achievers Australia Biotechnology Entrepreneur program for 2004.
Imugene raises $5m; Salus seeks$6.4m
23 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerImugene (ASX: IMU) has raised AUD$5 million through the sale of new shares primarily to institutional clients of Southern Cross Equities. The shares will be issued in two parts, with the first tranche occurring this week, and the second tranche following shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting to be held in January 2005.
Proteome facility teams with LumiCyte to develop biochip platform
19 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF) has teamed up with Californian proteomics company LumiCyte (LCI) to further develop LCI's recently launched STS biochip platform.
Life science VC funds demonstrating solid support
19 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleIn a sign that life science-focussed VC activity may be picking up, Melbourne-based venture capital firm Starfish Ventures has closed its AUD$123 million Starfish Technology Fund I.
IBM czar touts info-based medicine opportunities
19 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerInformation-based medicine is reaching mainstream medical practice faster than expected, according to Dr Joseph Jasinski, the program director of IBM's Healthcare and Life Sciences Institute.
UK to increase spending on science and to combat animal extremists
18 November, 2004 by Staff WritersThe British government has promised a big boost to spending on scientific research and more measures to combat animal extremists.
