Drug firm GlaxoSmithKline has told the US subsidiary of Melbourne-based Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) that it will not extend the companies' research collaboration on novel hepatitis C drugs beyond its scheduled expiry date of August 9. [ + ]

The merger between Bresagen's US subsidiary Bresagen Inc and San Diego stem cell company Cythera has been completed. [ + ]

Early Australian settlers evocatively dubbed fire 'the red steer' -- the untamed beast that rampaged through the bush, grazing it back to bare earth. 'Red prince' might have been more appropriate, because the smoke from bushfires delivers a potent chemical kiss that rouses the sleeping seeds of many native plants -- including many of Australia's most beauteous species -- to vibrant life. [ + ]

Three Australian biotechnology companies logged share price gains of over 300 per cent this financial year: pSivida (ASX: PSD) soared 387 per cent, Progen (ASX:PGL) was up 368 per cent and Australian Cancer Technology (ASX:ACU) was up 316 per cent. Biopharmaceutical company Anadis (ASX:ANX) also hit its stride, its share price rising 177 per cent. [ + ]

Nanobiotechnology is one of the main opportunities for Australia to develop capabilities in nanotechnology, the CEO of Nanotechnology Victoria (Nanovic) Peter Binks said today. [ + ]

Australia's biotechnology industry has had its best performing year since the halcyon days of the 1999-2000 tech boom, with both Intersuisse and Southern Cross Equities reporting a 24 per cent rise in their biotechnology indices to the end of the financial year, compared to the 18 per cent rise seen in the ASX's All Ordinaries Index. [ + ]

CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), in Geelong, Victoria, has become the first facility in the world to be accredited as an international collaborative centre for new and emerging diseases.

Acrux has signed an agreement with CSL for the distribution of Acrux's testosterone MDTS (metered dose transdermal spray) treatment in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Neuroscience and mental illness specialist Prof Peter Schofield has been appointed executive director and CEO of the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, and plans to move his 15-strong research team from the Garvan Institute to yet-to-be-built labs in Sydney’s Randwick. [ + ]

CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory has been recognised for its work in identifying and managing new animal viruses that have caused the odd cold sweat in the corridors of human health agencies. [ + ]

Melbourne-based EpiTan (ASX:EPT) has resumed its trial of the sustained release implant for tanning drug, Melanotan. [ + ]

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals was caught off guard yesterday when news of a favourable research report from US analysts Cohen Independent Research Group sent the company's shares up 65 per cent to close at AUD$1.65 after heavy trading. [ + ]

ACT US, the US subsidiary of oncology specialist Australian Cancer Technology ("AustCancer") (ASX: ACU) has signed a distribution deal for its revisys range of nutritional supplements. [ + ]

Peptech (ASX: PTD) has posted a net profit of AUD$29.5 million for the six months ending on 31 March 2004, mostly due to a hefty one-off settlement payment with Abbott and the first in a series of annual payments made under the settlement agreement. [ + ]

US regulators have given the green light for doctors to prescribe Minnesota-based 3M's Aldara for precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratosis. 3M is also awaiting approval for Aldara's use against a common form of non-melanoma skin cancer, superficial basal cell carcinoma. [ + ]