Industry News
'Heavy-hearted' Smith steps down from Amrad
Pete Smith has resigned as CEO of Amrad (ASX:AML), along with chairman Bob Moses as chairman, following a board meeting yesterday. [ + ]
Living Cell Technologies finalises technology acquisition
Auckland-based cell therapy company Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) will hold a general meeting next week to formally seal a deal under which it has acquired technology and IP worth US$90 million from with US cell-therapy company Theracyte. [ + ]
Ausbiotech appoints new CEO
Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) executive Dr Anna Lavelle has been appointed as the new head of Australia's peak biotechnology industry organisation, AusBiotech. [ + ]
Motivated by pharma woes, biotech blog makes debut
A new life sciences blog, Biopeer, has made its debut at the 2005 Bio-IT World Conference and Expo. [ + ]
IMB team first to ID endocytosis mechanism
Electron microscopists at the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience have spotted the first, sub-microscopic components of the molecular machinery of endocytosis -- the process by which living cells take up nutrients and particles. [ + ]
Sourcing stem cells
Australia's medical research capability has been strengthened with the opening of a stem cell research precinct at the Monash University.
[ + ]In brief: Uscom, Antisense, Gropep, Bresagen
Sydney's Uscom (ASX:UCM) has responded to ASX's 'please explain' as to why its shares dropped from $1.40 on 10 May to a low of $1.00 on 17 May. [ + ]
Epitan and pSivida complete sustained-release study
A proof of concept study by Melbourne's Epitan (ASX:EPT) and nanotechnology company pSivida (ASX:PSD) has found that pSivida's BioSilicon technology can be used in a liquid-based sustained-release formulation of Epitan's tanning drug Melanotan. [ + ]
CSL opens new $33 million influenza vaccine centre
A new $33 million influenza vaccine centre has officially been opened at CSL premises in Parkville. [ + ]
NHMRC to establish national clinical trials register
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is to spend AUD$1.5 million to establish a national clinical trials register. [ + ]
Marine invader under monitoring
Scientists have developed a genetic tool to help environmental authorities monitor the spread and impact of Australia's most invasive marine species, the New Zealand screwshell.
[ + ]Progen encouraged by pilot trial results
A Phase IIa pilot trial of its promising PI-88 angiogenesis inhibitor in patients with advanced melanoma has convinced Brisbane cancer-drug developer Progen Industries (ASX: PGL, NASDAQ: PGLAF) to move its lead compound into a Phase IIb trial. [ + ]
New $1.1m cancer unit opens at the Garvan
The prime minister has officially opened the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Unit for Molecular Genetics of Cancer at Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney. [ + ]
Chief scientist quits
Chief scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, has accepted a full time position with Rio Tinto and will not seek reappointment as Australia's senior science advisor for a third term. [ + ]
Eiffel looking to cut costs
Drug re-engineering company Eiffel (ASX:EIF) has issued shares worth a total of $70,000 as part of the cancellation of an employee contract, and is looking to cut costs. [ + ]
