The Western Australian government is committed to developing the state's biotechnology sector, according to new premier Alan Carpenter, who this week announced AUD$4.5 million in seed funding for a new biotech research facility as well as medical grants totalling $5 million. [ + ]

Clinical trials have found that GlaxoSmithKline's anti-blood clotting drug Arixtra nearly halved the risk of blood clots in acutely ill patients, a result that is expected to boost the commercial prospects of Brisbane-based Alchemia's (ASX:ACL) generic version of the drug. [ + ]

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has raised $3.6 million through a private placement to Australian and professional investors to fund the phase IIa trial of its antisense compound ATL1102 for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. [ + ]

The biochemist Enrique Santamaria Martinez, a researcher in the area of genetic therapy and hepatology at the CIMA of the University of Navarra, has identified more than 200 proteins which can be considered as indicators of the progression of steatohepatitis and liver hepatitis. In addition, these proteins provide a basis for new lines of research which can develop clinical application strategies for improving the diagnosis and treatment of this cancer.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have invented a device which remotely monitors bad odours and methane gases at waste landfill and water treatment sites.

The CSIRO and the Chinese Government have signed an agreement designed to strengthen the relationship between research laboratories in Australia and China. [ + ]

Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) has received orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration for its lead anti-cancer compound Coramsine for the treatment of high risk stage II, stage III and stage IV melanoma. [ + ]

Panbio's (ASX:PBO) US subsidiary Panbio Inc has been awarded almost US$100,000 (AUD$135,000) in funding from the US Deparment of Defence. [ + ]

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) and Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) have obtained promising results in an animal trial testing the ability of NNZ-4921, a neural regeneration peptide (NRP), to prevent or reverse sensory nerve damage. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) has commenced a phase I clinical trial of its human rhinovirus (HRV) drug, BTA-798, for the prevention and treatment of one of the major causes of the common cold. [ + ]

Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) are planning to commence a phase I clinical trial in Brisbane for a new malaria vaccine starting late this year or early next year. [ + ]

The Food and Drug Administration has reviewed Idaho Technology's 510(k) application and cleared the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System (JBAIDS) for use as an aid in the laboratory of diagnosis of anthrax. The JBAIDS Anthrax Detection System can detect the gene components of Bacillus anthracis in a variety of environmental sample types, and also clinical blood samples as well as cultured organisms.

Blackwell Publishing, in partnership with Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (RANZCOG) has released a study on foetal sex diagnosis.

Peptech chairman Mel Bridges today told shareholders that the company's best strategy for building value was to develop its product pipeline. [ + ]

Victoria took another step towards its biotechnology future today, with the opening of the new AUD$20 million Victorian Agribiosciences Centre at La Trobe University's R&D Park in Bundoora. [ + ]