Industry News
Industry groups warn PBS changes dangerous for biotech
Widely-touted changes to Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) could cost the biotech industry more than AUD$300 million in investment annually, according to AusBiotech. [ + ]
Local councils to join Victorian biotech industry
A new study identifying ways that local government can assist the biotech industry was launched by Victorian minister for innovation John Brumby yesterday. [ + ]
Tracking performance in real time
Traqua, developed by the CRC for microTechnology for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), is the leading edge of the next sports revolution - providing hard data in real time on an athlete's motion to reinforce the coach's eye and instincts.
[ + ]How viruses enter cells
A team of Northwestern University researchers has solved the structure of a molecule that controls the ability of viruses of the paramyxovirus family, including the viruses that cause measles, mumps, and many human respiratory diseases, to fuse with and infect human cells.
[ + ]In brief: Genesis Biomedical, Select Vaccines, Pharmaxis
Sydney-based Genesis Biomedical (ASX:GBL) has closed its underwritten share offer early and oversubscribed raising AUD$2.4 million, substantially boosting its coffers -- the firm had $586,000 at the end of the quarter. [ + ]
Mesoblast implants two with adult stem cells
The first two patients in Melbourne-based Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) clinical trials have been implanted with adult stem cells. [ + ]
Ambri boss adds perspective to US partner's decision
Sydney biosensor specialist Ambri (ASX:ABI) appeared to hit a setback last week, when the company announced that its US partner would no longer work to develop Ambri's ion-channel switch (ICS). [ + ]
Psiron chair spells out business plans
Psiron (ASX:PSX) has moved to reassure shareholders of its ability to fund its business plans, in the wake of last week's resignations of the company's CEO and CFO. [ + ]
Glaxo opens Australian Relenza plant
Federal health minister Tony Abbott was on hand to cut the ribbon for the first of two Relenza production lines at GlaxoSmithKline's manufacturing facilities in Boronia, Victoria, last week. [ + ]
Reshaped Australian healthcare firms hold promise
Most of Australia's leading healthcare firms are expected to post strong first-half profit growth and provide positive outlook statements as the benefits of takeovers and spin-offs start to filter through, according to analysts. [ + ]
UQ team links vitamin D deficiency with schizophrenia, MS
Scientists at the University of Queensland have linked maternal vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy to abnormal foetal brain development and an increased the risk of behavioural problems, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. [ + ]
Avantogen subsidiary and US company to merge
US-listed Innovate Oncology and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avantogen (ASX:ACU), formerly Australian Cancer Technologies, are to merge. [ + ]
Neutron scattering and cell signalling
Neutron scattering research techniques that can show how nature uses complex protein structures to get cells to respond and adapt to stimuli in the body, could be the new tool to help researchers find new drugs to treat diseases such as heart failure or cancer. Dr Jill Trewhella, a joint ANSTO and Sydney University Research Fellow, is an expert in using neutron scattering to study cell signalling systems which regulate the body.
[ + ]Monitoring of living cells
Cell cultures often form the testing ground for new active agents. Results can only be reliable if cell growth is standardised. This process will soon happen automatically with a microscope to monitor growth and image processing to control cultivation via integrated robotics.
[ + ]In brief: BresaGen, Premier Bionics, Panbio, Eqitx
BresaGen has concluded an agreement with Indian firm BV BioCorp, to register and distribute BresaGen's G-CSF for leukaemia and an undisclosed product in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. [ + ]
