A prominent cancer researcher has told the Lorne Cancer Conference that many experimental cancer drugs are being discarded as having no value in prolonging survival in cancer patients, but the problem may lie with the clinical trial process. [ + ]

Norwood Abbey (ASX:NAL) subsidiary Norwood Immunology has been granted its first patent, covering the use of GnRH analogues to increase the T cell population for the treatment of a variety of diseases. [ + ]

A pioneering project aimed at creating an interdisciplinary network to stimulate fundamental advances in biology and mathematics through national and international collaboration has been launched at the University of Sydney.

VC fund Starfish Ventures has made an investment into NeuProtect, a company spun out of the Howard Florey Institute, the University of Melbourne and Neurosciences Victoria to develop novel therapies for stroke and myocardial infarction or heart attack. [ + ]

Perth biotechnology company EqiTX (ASX:EQX) has passed the first development milestone for its gingerol project, which aims to develop drugs to treat pain and inflammation from compounds isolated from the plant Zingiber officinale. [ + ]

Axon Instruments (ASX:AXN) has sold its majority shareholding in Optiscan Imaging (ASX:OIL) to JF Asset Management, the Hong Kong-based Jardine Fleming institutional investment group, one of the largest fund managers in the Asia Pacific region. [ + ]

Acrux subsidiary FemPharm has secured a US$13.3 million deal with Californian company Vivus to develop and commercialise its transdermal spray for female sexual dysfunction and menopause. [ + ]

An American researcher is developing techniques for making photonic microchips -- in which streams of electrons are replaced by beams of light -- including ways to guide and bend light in air or a vacuum, to switch a beam of light on and off and to connect nanophotonic chips to optical fiber.

University of Queensland research into reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could add $25 billion to Queensland’s economy.

Positive results of a landmark clinical trial conducted by UNSW researchers have identified an Australian-developed HIV treatment vaccine as one of the most promising of its kind. The trial results indicate that the vaccine has the potential to change the future management of HIV.

One of the world's leading dairy companies, Fonterra, is considering using satellite-based imaging technology developed by CSIRO Livestock Industries and partners to improve management of its massive dairy herd in New Zealand.

Melbourne University spin-off Cryptopharma has received a boost with AUD$2 million in funding from a Victorian consortium of investors led by GBS Venture Partners, Biocomm and Uniseed. [ + ]

In Douglas Adams' A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, humans learned that the answer to the question of "life, the universe and everything" is 42. The late author would no doubt have been amused to learn that 7 and 6, the factors of 42, provide an insight into the mysteries of death, from lethal brain disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. [ + ]

Brisbane biotech company Peplin (ASX: PEP) released its half-year results this week, with a net loss of AUD$3.9 million and cash reserves of $9.1 million at the end of December. [ + ]

Recently listed Perth and Singapore biotech company Rockeby Biomed (ASX: RBY) has commenced a US clinical trial of its laboratory-based SysCan3 and rapid point-of-care CanDia5 diagnostic tests for Candida infections, as a step toward gaining FDA approval of the products. [ + ]