The quest for potent new herbicides with highly selective activity against plant enzyme systems may be having the paradoxical effect of accelerating the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds, according to an Australian weeds expert. [ + ]

Two Cambridge University plant molecular geneticists are quitting the UK to work in Australia because of the nation's climate of virulent opposition to genetically modified (GM) crops. [ + ]

Queensland Investment Corporation has become the biggest shareholder in Melbourne-based company Meditech Research (ASX:MTR), after participating in a placement that raised AUD$4.8 million from QIC and other professional and sophisticated investors. [ + ]

The findings of a British study of the impact of genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops on farm biodiversity are critical to the future of GM crops in Britain, but have little relevance to Australia, CSIRO experts have concluded. [ + ]

Brisbane firm Alchemia has beefed up its board with the appointments of seasoned biotechnology executive Mel Bridges as chairman and two new non-executive directors, including ex-Amgen consultant Dr Errol Malta and former Minter Ellison lawyer Nerolie Withnall. [ + ]

Sydney-based Pharmaxis closed its IPO yesterday, three days earlier than scheduled after strong demand from investors. [ + ]

Ventracor (ASX:VCR) has closed its renounceable rights issue, raising approximately AUD$33 million in an offer oversubscribed by $12 million. [ + ]

Adelaide biotech BresaGen (ASX:BGN) is attempting to boost its cash reserves by up to AUD$5 million through a private placement of convertible preference shares, managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers Securities. [ + ]

Brisbane biopesticide developer BioProspect (ASX:BPO) has moved to establish itself as a significant player in the biotech business by acquiring agrochemical trader Tradewyns as a vehicle to distribute its products. [ + ]

A vaccine for coeliac disease is the focus of a joint venture between the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne Health and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), in a project that has the backing of international VC group BTG International. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech EpiTan Ltd (ASX: EPT) has announced "outstanding" results from the Phase IIb clinical of its experimental tanning drug Melanotan - and says the data could be the subject of new patent applications. [ + ]

After several tumultuous days that saw almost the entire board of directors replaced, bio-separations company Gradipore said today that it plans to focus on commercialising its technology for large-scale separations. [ + ]

Your nose could provide the first reliable diagnostic tool for predicting a person's likelihood of developing psychosis, new research has found.

Perth-based tissue engineering company Clinical Cell Culture (C3, ASX: CCE) has signed distribution agreements with Equipmed to distribute C3's CellSpray and ReCell products in Australia, excluding Western Australia, and New Zealand. [ + ]

If you'd asked him a year ago whether he could see himself as CEO of Amrad, Dr Peter Smith would have said not likely. [ + ]