Articles
Merck buying Sigma-Aldrich for $19.6bn
Germany's Merck has arranged to acquire chemical and biochemical supplier Sigma-Aldrich in a deal worth US$17bn. [ + ]
Preventing implant failures with biochemical Braille
Australian and South Korean researchers have developed a method to help reduce biomedical and prosthetic device failure rates - currently sitting at 17% - by enabling Braille-like communication between medical implants and a patient's cells. [ + ]
African skeleton throws light on our origins
The DNA of an African skeleton, belonging to a man who lived over 2000 years ago in the southernmost tip of Africa, has thrown light on humanity's earliest common genetic ancestry. [ + ]
Patrys gets first Australian patent for PAT-LM1
Patrys (ASX:PAB) has been awarded its first Australian patent for PAT-LM1, an antibody that has shown strong anti-cancer potential during lab trials in blood cancers.
[ + ]The complex journey from stem cell to blood cell
An international group of researchers has discovered previously undetected steps in haematopoiesis - the process by which stem cells become blood cells. The team established that a highly complex series of events determines the fate of closely related populations of blood progenitor cells. [ + ]
Antisense raising $2.5m for trials, partnering plans
Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) is raising up to $2.5m to fund trials of its drug candidates in acromegaly and relapse remitting multiple sclerosis.
[ + ]Ig Nobel prizes 2014
The 24th Ig Nobel prizes were announced on 18 September. The prizes annually award scientific research that "first makes people laugh and then makes them think". [ + ]
Virax adds myeloma expert to scientific board
Virax Holdings (ASX:VHL) has now added a multiple myeloma expert to its scientific advisory board, after picking a breast cancer expert in July. [ + ]
Full Court confirms isolated DNA is patentable in Australia
In a unanimous and significant decision, a five-member bench of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has confirmed that a claim covering naturally occurring deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), which has been isolated, can be a "manner of manufacture" and therefore a patentable invention. [ + ]
Clinuvel enters dermatology drug JV
Clinuvel (ASX:CUV) will form a joint venture with Biotech Lab Singapore to develop paediatric versions of Scenesse and a new dermatology drug candidate.
[ + ]Tracing the ancient ancestors of Europeans
An international team of researchers has compared ancient European hunter-gatherers and early farmers to present-day humans and found that modern Europeans can trace their ancestry to three ancient populations. [ + ]
R&D Tax Incentive - overseas R&D activities update
An update for companies on what "not available in Australia" means for meeting the requirements to make a claim for R&D activities conducted outside of Australia. [ + ]
Life Sciences = Future. Jobs. Exports.
Has the Australian biotech sector the potential to fill some of the gaps left by the demise of traditional manufacturing areas? Find out at AusBiotech 2014.
[ + ]Simavita's US partner wins first big contract
Simavita's (ASX:SVA) exclusive US distribution partner Medline has picked up its first major supply contract for the Smart Incontinence Management (SIM) medical device. [ + ]
GTG restructures to focus on molecular diagnosis
Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has announced a restructuring project, as well as plans to launch the upgraded version of breast cancer risk test BREVAGen next month. [ + ]
