The tract of bushland near Narrandera, in southern NSW, where Brisbane natural pesticide developer BioProspect (ASX:BPO) is field-trialling its promising termiticide AP778 teems with voracious termites. [ + ]

Brisbane's Agenix (ASX:AGX, NASDAQ:OTC:AGXLY) has forecast a lower full year loss for the year ended June 30 of between AUD$12.3 million and $12.8 million, compared with a $14.3 million loss last year. [ + ]

The Institute of Drug Technology (ASX:IDT) has been granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to supply commercial quantities of Thalomid (thalidomide) to its US-based global biopharmaceutical client Celgene. [ + ]

A survey of Australian medical research specialists has found that bias and manipulation in reporting of clinical trial results are rife when the trials are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. [ + ]

Japan's SPring-8, the world's largest synchrotron, has signed a new partnership with the Australian Synchrotron to share expertise and develop new technology. [ + ]

Australia government must ramp up its investment in health and medical research to secure a strong, enduring, sustainable economic future according to Australian Graduate School of Management innovation and biotechnology expert, Professor Michael Vitale, and CEO of Research Australia, Dr Christine Bennett.

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has clarified details of a previously announced Phase IIb trial of its anti-obesity drug AOD9604, with recruitment expected to commence in September or October this year. [ + ]

While biotechnology stocks have suffered in the first five months of 2005 -- with the Intersuisse biotechnology index showing a 23 per cent fall since December 31 -- the index stabilised in May with a 0.28 per cent gain. [ + ]

Australia must ramp up its investment in health and medical research to ensure its future prosperity, said Research Australia CEO Dr Christine Bennett and Australian Graduate School of Management professor Michael Vitale in a joint paper published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia. [ + ]

NZ-based Neuren (ASX:NEU) has received confirmation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company can bypass a previously planned Phase IIb study for its lead drug Glypromate and advance directly to a major Phase III efficacy study. [ + ]

The new executive director of CSIRO's business development team, Nigel Poole, is on the campaign trail, seeking to convince the business world that the organisation is open for business. [ + ]

BOC Scientific has available a package called AirSurance. The product range includes Detectagas and Stench Gas mixtures which together monitor and alert workers to unsafe gas levels.

Former AustCancer CEO Paul Hopper has joined the board of Perth-based Bone Medical (ASX:BNE), among other changes at the company, including the resignation of Michael Perrott from the board. [ + ]

Genome scientist Craig Venter is cruising the world in his yacht, sampling the genetic diversity of marine bacteria and microbes wafted over the oceans by intercontinental winds, and finding enough genetic treasure to keep drug-hunters in work for a few centuries. [ + ]

Phenomix, based in Canberra and San Diego, has closed a US$40 million private placement of its series B preferred stock, with new US investors JPMorgan Partners and Delphi Ventures co-leading the financing. [ + ]