Industry News
Mesoblast gets ethics nod for diabetes trial
Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has been granted ethics approval for a phase II trial of its mesenchymal precursor cells in patients with diabetic nephropathy. [ + ]
Strategic Research Priorities
In a whole-of-government approach to investing in research, the Australian Government announced 15 Strategic Research Priorities (SRPs) this week. [ + ]
LBT Innovations enters joint venture with Hettich
LBT Innovations (ASX:LBT) will enter a 50/50 JV with Switzerland’s Hettich to oversee final development and distribution of lab screening platform APAS. [ + ]
GTG hails breast cancer risk detection study
Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) says an Australian academic study supports the effectiveness of including genotypes used in its BREVAGen test to improve breast cancer risk assessment. [ + ]
Biotech’s industry conference returns to Qld: early bird about to close
With early-bird registrations about to close (28 June), preparations have kicked into top gear at AusBiotech as the team prepares to return the industry event of the year to Brisbane, Queensland, from 30 October-1 November 2013. [ + ]
Putting the brakes on bacterial biofilms
New insights into how bacteria colonise surfaces may help deal with biofilms that develop on implanted medical devices. [ + ]
Fifteen research priorities for Australia’s future
Fifteen Strategic Research Priorities (SRPs) were launched on Friday by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Science and Research Senator Don Farrell and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb. [ + ]
Vampire bat venom evades the immune system
Scientists led by The University of Queensland’s (UQ’s) Associate Professor Bryan Fry have found that vampire bat venom contains molecules capable of evading the victim’s immune system. [ + ]
Dolomite brings droplet device to market
University spin-out company Drop-Tech has developed Mitos Dropix, a droplet-on-demand sampler set to make it easy to produce extremely miniaturised droplet compartments with excellent control over their contents. [ + ]
QBiotics launches $10m capital raising
QBiotics is involved in a $10m capital raising, seeking to raise funds for human studies of its anti-tumour candidate and research into the wound-healing potential of a new compound. [ + ]
GTG signs on with seventh US PPO
Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has reached an agreement with US PPO FedMed that will allow insurance claims for its BrevaGEN breast cancer risk test to be expedited for 40 million lives. [ + ]
Grants available to partner with Massachusetts life sciences companies
A new funding program has recently been announced by the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support joint research and development (R&D) projects. [ + ]
WA researchers target key plant pathogen
Murdoch University scientists have developed a method for using gene silencing to control root lesion nematodes - plant pathogens which cause major agricultural damage. [ + ]
Pesticides drive loss of invertebrate biodiversity
Current pesticide risk assessment falls short of protecting biodiversity in the northern and southern hemispheres. [ + ]
New species of fungus found
A University of Sydney researcher has discovered a new species of fungus that causes life-threatening infections in humans and cats. [ + ]