The Australian Research Council has opened its latest research training centre, the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech), at the University of Tasmania.

As part of the announcement of their new Asia Pacific Innovation Centre, Johnson & Johnson - parent company of Janssen - will facilitate new collaborations with Australian university researchers.

The accomplishments of Australian scientists and science educators have been celebrated with the announcmement of this year's Prime Minister's Prizes for Science.

The government is seeking input from the research sector and industry on its strategy to boost commercial returns from research. [ + ]

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has appointed an interim CEO to ensure an orderly transition once it chooses a permanent replacement for outgoing chief Dr Marie Roskrow.

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) is set to start reaping royalties from partner Ansell's sales of VivaGel coated condoms and has received a $4.2m R&D tax incentive rebate for FY14.

The different way in which cancer cells metabolise sugar compared to normal cells is the focus of a clinical trial due to start early next year. [ + ]

Sample and assay technology company Qiagen has announced a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma to develop and commercialise companion diagnostics paired with Astellas drugs for use in cancer and other diseases. [ + ]

Further to the recent launch of the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda, the federal government has announced the establishment of an independent panel to undertake a review of medicines and medical devices regulation in Australia.

Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has received positive feedback from the US FDA on plans to conduct an IND-enabling phase IIb trial of MS drug candidate ATL1102.

The US-based Seahorse Bioscience and Moffitt Cancer Center have received an SBIR contract, through the National Cancer Institute, to develop a reproducible method that will enable the measurement of metabolism of 3D microtissue. [ + ]

Law firm Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has released its Q3 edition of BioMeter. The quarterly report measures the health of the biotech industry. [ + ]

The AusBiotech national conference will this week bring together the entire biotechnology 'ecosystem' to share ideas and progress their biotechnology development work.

Researchers from the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab have found that graphs or formulas accompanying medical information can lead consumers to believe products are more effective, despite not actually providing additional evidence. [ + ]

Researchers have disputed the claim that ancient Egyptian royal families suffered from the systemic disease ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation of the spinal joints. [ + ]