Monash University and big German pharmaceutical company Schering AG have announced a collaborative research and licensing agreement to develop new therapies for prostate disease, male infertility, and new male contraceptives. [ + ]

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has spun out its cellular therapies services into a small company called Cell Therapies, in order to make the most of its TGA-licensed Centre for Blood Cell Therapies. [ + ]

Members of South Australia's BioAngels have made their first investment into the South Australian bioscience sector, selecting Australian Orthopaedic Innovations from more than 20 applications. [ + ]

Queensland's reputation as a hub for scientific innovation will be further enhanced next year when work begins on the $60 million Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) complex at The University of Queensland.

Diagnostics company Rockeby Biomed is readying itself to float on the ASX in a back door listing through Carbine Corporation. [ + ]

Perth-based nanomaterials specialist pSivida (ASX:PSD) has acquired the rights to use porous silicon mirror technology from German research agency Forschungszentrum Julich. [ + ]

BresaGen (ASX:BGN) has assigned its cell delivery catheter licenses to North American company NexGen Technologies for about $380,000 plus a four per cent share in NexGen. [ + ]

Melbourne biotechnology company BioDiem has lodged a prospectus with ASIC for an AUD$10 million float opening on December 4. [ + ]

Phenomix, based jointly in San Diego and Canberra, has appointed experienced biotechnology executive Dr Julie Cherrington as president of operations to oversee its Australian activities as it moves into pre-clinical and clinical programs. [ + ]

Cochlear has named ResMed executive VP Dr Chris Roberts as its new CEO, replacing Jack O'Mahony. [ + ]

Adelaide is set to become the leading site for the co-ordination of drug and alcohol research and training in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sydney-based medical device firm Polartechnics (ASX:PLT) has used a combination of a share placement and a share purchase plan to raise AUD$11.25 million to expand its global sales and marketing efforts and refine its production processes. [ + ]

Perth biotech Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) has received approval to commence a Phase I clinical trial on its lead cancer therapeutic SBP002. [ + ]

Brisbane-based Peplin Biotech has acquired a portfolio of synthetic engineered polyunsaturated fatty acid compounds from researchers at Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital in a deal worth AUD$225,000 plus shares and options worth around $350,000. [ + ]

Victoria's state government has pledged AUD$1.5 million funding for a wallaby genome project, which needs around $6 million to match US National Institutes of Health funding to proceed. [ + ]