Brisbane cancer-drug developer Progen (ASX:PGL) has responded to an ASX 'please explain' in response to its flagging share price, citing the expiry of listed options on May 31 and speculation of a larger than expected shortfall as possible. [ + ]

The orthopaedic surgeon of an injured AFL football player is considering using Melbourne-based stem cell specialist Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) technology to accelerate bone regeneration in the footballer's fractured leg, the company has claimed. [ + ]

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) in the USA have uncovered the structure of a network of proteins that help regulate the life cycle of cells. Understanding the network’s physical layout is an important step toward learning its function, and in finding ways to correct flaws in the system that could lead to cancer.

New Zealand's Parkside Laboratories has been appointed authorised sales agent by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for Australia and New Zealand in a development that will make it easier for companies to access the US market.

A biopharmaceutical product that uses GroPep's (ASX:GRO) cell culture products in its manufacturing process has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory approval. [ + ]

UK antibody therapeutics developer Domantis has pulled a double-headed rabbit out of the hat for its client, the big European pharma Abbott Laboratories. [ + ]

Sydney-based Genesis Biomedical (ASX:GBL) is moving to raise its profile in the Australian biomedical marketplace, after appointing two more senior researchers to its new strategic advisory committee. [ + ]

Unlisted imaging company XRT, an investee of BioTech Capital (ASX:BTC), has entered a deal with Californian-based electron microscope accessory and software manufacturer Gatan to develop and distribute an x-ray microscope product for use with electron microscopes. [ + ]

Four new members have been appointed to the Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council (ABAC) -- the independent board of industry experts advising the government on biotech issues. [ + ]

Eighteen months after its AUD$6.6 million IPO in November 2003, Melbourne-based Cryptome Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CRP) has achieved all of the objectives listed in its IPO prospectus and claims that it is no longer in the start-up phase. [ + ]

Sydney's Biosignal (ASX:BOS) and its partner, the Institute for Eye Research (IER), have closed a deal with an international contact lens manufacturer to develop anti-bacterial daily disposable and other frequent replacement contact lenses for eventual sale to the US and European markets. [ + ]

Australian robotics research has received some fresh input as a new partnership between the CSIRO and the MIT computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory in USA has been formed.

Shares in Brisbane biopharma Alchemia (ASX:ACL) rose 7 per cent today on news that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved GlaxoSmithKline's anti-thrombotic drug Arixtra in surgical patients at high risk of life-threatening venous blood clots. [ + ]

Oncology drug developer Australian Cancer Technology (ASX:ACU) has changed its name to Avantogen, and flagged its intention to relocate its headquarters to San Diego, on the US west coast, within a few years. [ + ]

The core patent for Tissue Therapies' (ASX:TIS) VitroGro growth factor complex, used to accelerate wound healing, has been accepted in Australia. [ + ]