pSiMedica, the UK-based subsidiary of Perth nanotechnology company pSivida, has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent Office for "smart" drug delivery technology. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) is looking for a fast and pain-free path to market for the latest addition to its IP portfolio: a potent peptide from cone-shell venom that shows great promise in the treatment of chronic, intractable nerve pain. [ + ]

A predicted shortfall in global production capabilities of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic purposes has led Queensland researchers to look at ways of boosting production of the antibodies in cell lines. [ + ]

A fat-derived hormone identified using proteomic techniques may have therapeutic uses related to its role as a regulator of lipid metabolism in the liver and arteries. [ + ]

Bionic ear pioneer Cochlear has formed a joint venture, Cochlear Acoustics, with Swiss hearing aid company Phonak Group to develop new technology combining implant technology with acoustic capabilities. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Cryptome Pharmaceuticals has launched its first public share offer, filing a prospectus to list on the ASX in October. [ + ]

Brisbane 'green' agbiotech company BioGlobal has signed a cooperative R&D agreement with the US Department of Agriculture to develop its 'killer application' -- a cocktail of volatile floral compounds to lure noctuid moth pests to a lethal rendezvous [ + ]

AGT Biosciences has filed to broaden the patent on its SelS gene, already a prime suspect in type 2 diabetes and inflammatory diseases, to cover heart disease, cancer infertility and other disorders. [ + ]

Pharmaxis has announced plans for a AUD$21 million float on the ASX in October/November. [ + ]

A change of promoter has given Imugene's (ASX:IMU) pig and poultry vaccine delivery systems a major boost, the company announced today. [ + ]

Australian drug developer Novogen's US subsidiary Marshall Edwards has announced plans to float on the Nasdaq exchange, the company said today, with the prospect of raising up to $US13 million before costs associated with the float. [ + ]

The collapse of Scottish biotech PPL Therapeutics, of 'Dolly' fame, will force the company to sell off its New Zealand 'biopharm' at south Waikato and its 3000 transgenic sheep. [ + ]

Sydney-based bioseparations specialist Gradipore (ASX:GDP) has named former investment banker Greg Pynt as its new CEO. Pynt, whose previous roles include being joint head of equity capital markets at Deutsche Bank as well as a stint at Intersuisse, replaced US-based Bob Lieb, who quit the CEO post in May. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Select Vaccines (ASX:SLT) has signed its first agreement, with Singapore diagnostics company Genelabs Diagnostics, to bring the recently formed company's hepatitis E rapid diagnostic test to market. [ + ]

Peptech (ASX:PTD) is confident of coming out on top in its dispute with Centocor and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, the company said today after announcing the initiation of formal arbitration proceedings against the US firms. [ + ]