Pooled investment firm and nanotech specialist Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has raised AUD$6.9 million in an oversubscribed placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. [ + ]

Melbourne-based biomedical company Prana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT) has announced it has developed a set of assays for high-throughput testing of molecules with therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease. [ + ]

A new structural biology facility, opened today at the Austin Research Institute, will be a crucial tool in understanding disease processes and will lead to real benefits for the sufferers of cancer, inflammation and other diseases, according to ARI director Prof Mark Hogarth. [ + ]

Brisbane cancer-drug developer Peplin Biotech (ASX:PEP) has reported a consolidated loss of AUD$3.7 million for the 12 months to June 30, largely attributable to a big increase in research expenditure on its lead compound, PEP005. [ + ]

The University of Melbourne is making an ambitious commitment to water-related research with the establishment of the Melbourne Centre for Water Research.

Melbourne genetic testing company Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialise a test for a gene underlying athletics and sports performance from the University of Sydney. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech company EpiTan (ASX:EPT) has posted a loss of AUD$4 million for the 2002-2003 financial year, primarily due to the expenses of running Phase II clinical trials on its lead drug candidate Melanotan. [ + ]

Joining the list of companies taking advantage of increased investor interest in the biotechnology sector, Prana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT) has raised AUD$5 million in a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors at a price of $0.70 per share. [ + ]

Western Australian biotech company Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) may have struck therapeutic gold in a thorny wayside weed called devil's apple (Solanum linnaeanum) . [ + ]

Engineers have developed tiny engines - only a few millimetres wide - that will soon replace a standard battery.

Adelaide epilepsy specialist Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has reported an after-tax loss of $4.54 million for the year to June 30, up from $3.49 million in 2001-02. [ + ]

Monash University yesterday launched its new Centre for Brain and Behaviour, bringing together more than 150 researchers including students and postdocs from 21 university departments and research centres. [ + ]

Political sparring over the Australian National Synchrotron raised its head again last week, when Victoria's opposition deputy leader Phil Honeywood claimed that the project would cost the state AUD$537 million over the next decade, and called the project a white elephant. [ + ]

Market analyst Standard and Poor's has added four more Australian biotechnology firms and a medical device company to its S&P300 index. [ + ]

Collaborators of Perth devices company Xcell Diagnostics (ASX:XEL) have received a US NIH grant worth more than AUD$1 million (US$702,000) to perform clinical studies on Xcell's Funhaler paediatric asthma spacer device. [ + ]