Industry News
Direct Capital acquires 51 per cent of New Zealand Pharmaceuticals
New Zealand based VC Direct Capital has acquired a shareholding of 51 per cent in New Zealand Pharmaceuticals (NZP), which produces specialty chemicals for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. [ + ]
Lack of understanding is holding back biotech: IPTA
A survey of biotechnology patent attorneys has indicated that there is a lack of knowledge within the general population about what biotechnology encompasses and there are misconceptions regarding the patenting process. [ + ]
Stem cell photo exhibition to tour Australia
A photo exhibition featuring images of stem cells in their various forms was opened today in Melbourne by Senator Natasha Stott Despoja. [ + ]
Further extensions sought in GTG/Applera dispute
Melbourne gene-test company Genetic Technologies (ASX: GTG; NASDAQ: GENE) US rival Applera Technologies have sought additional time from the US District Court of Northern California to resolve the long-running licensing dispute between the companies. [ + ]
CollTech granted patent
Perth collagen purification company CollTech (ASX:CAU) has been granted a patent by the Australian Patents Office. [ + ]
Leading anti-GM figure to tour Australia
Anti-GM NGO, the Australian GeneEthics Network, is hosting an Australian speaking tour by American Dr Chuck Benbrook, a prominent organic-food advocate and bete noire of genetically modified agriculture. [ + ]
South Africa embracing biotech crops
While commercialisation of biotech crops in Australia remains frozen by state moratoriums, South African farmers are following their peers in China, India and South American nations in enthusiastically embracing the new age of agriculture, according to a South African industry leader. [ + ]
US Army to participate in Neuren phase III trials
Auckland biopharma Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) has executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine for inclusion of US Army hospital sites in Neuren's phase III trial of its lead drug Glypromate. [ + ]
Probiomics to commence flu vaccine trial
Probiomics' (ASX:PCC) shares increased by more than 25 per cent yesterday on news that the company will undertake a clinical trial to examine the ability of its proprietary probiotic strain PCC to boost the immune response to a vaccine for influenza. [ + ]
Universities form virtual company to commercialise discoveries
Four Australian universities have agreed to create a virtual company through UniQuest Pty Ltd to commercialise plant research discoveries.
[ + ]Fast composter for city waste
Researchers from the Environmental Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (EBCRC) have successfully tested a, self-sustaining process that rapidly composts municipal solid wastes. [ + ]
Dynamic Hearing signs agreement with House Ear Institute
Melbourne-based biomedical company Dynamic Hearing has signed an agreement with the House Ear Institute (HEI) to develop and commercialise the US-based non-profit organisation's patented feedback cancellation technology for use in hearing aids and auditory implants. [ + ]
AusBiotech, South Korea sign agreement
AusBiotech and its South Korean equivalent, the Bioindustry Association of Korea (BAK), have signed an agreement that they hope will lead to a stronger relationship between the two countries' biotech industries. [ + ]
Farmacule grows proteins in tobacco
Brisbane agbiotech Farmacule BioIndustries has taken a step towards the era of molecular 'pharming' by producing vitronectin, a high-value human protein used in medical research, in genetically modified tobacco plants. [ + ]
BioProspect to raise AUD$1.95m
Brisbane natural pesticide developer BioProspect (ASX:BPO) is planning to raise AUD$1.95 million via a share placement and rights issue. [ + ]
