Industry News
Novogen scores new US patent
Biopharma Novogen has been granted a US patent for isoflavone treatment for fibroids and endometriosis specific to women. [ + ]
APAF ups the discovery ante
The Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF) has "dramatically increased its throughput capability" with the installation of a new Applied Biosystems 4700 Proteomics Discovery System. [ + ]
Victor Chang Institute to work with BioDiem
Sydney's Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has signed a deal to investigate a tissue restorative agent, BDM-K, for Melbourne biopharma BioDiem [ + ]
EpiTan answers ASX trading query
Melbourne-based EpiTan's share price (ASX:EPT) has doubled since April, but that's just because of increased market awareness, the company has told the Australian Stock Exchange. [ + ]
New fund aims to raise $150m for Australian biotech
A new fund, spearheaded by stockbrokers Intersuisse, British VC Rothschild Bioscience Managers and Sequence Capital Group, aims to raise AUD$150 million and overseas backing for Australian biotech companies. [ + ]
Global role for atmospheric scientist
An Australian scientist has been elected Vice-President of the international body that guides research into the nature of our planet.
[ + ]UK researcher's eyes opened by biotech activity down under
UK scientist and entrepreneur Prof Peter Shepherd is amazed at how much biotechnology activity there is in Australia. [ + ]
AVI seeks orphan status for experimental SARS drug
US firm Avi BioPharma has asked US regulators to grant 'orphan' status to its experimental drug against the virus that causes SARS, a designation meant to provide seven years of marketing exclusivity for medicines. [ + ]
Watch for new wave of mad cow: Masters
While the incidence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) -- the human form of mad cow disease -- appears to have slowed in the UK after 146 confirmed cases since the epidemic began in the mid-1990's, a new wave of cases could be waiting in the wings, according to Australian neuroscientist Prof Colin Masters. [ + ]
Bionomics beefs financial team
Adelaide-based genomics biotech Bionomics has appointed a new heavy hitter to its financial team with the signing up of ex-Faulding and ex-Mayne commercialisation expert Lee Craker as new CFO. [ + ]
Expat's big plans to improve Anglo-Aussie ties
Expatriate Australian Dr John Sime is headed back to Australia next January, with plans to improve the links between the Australian and the British biotechnology industries. [ + ]
GroPep cuts its losses to produce second-half profit
Adelaide-based GroPep has continued to shuck off the disastrous after-effects of its purchase of Biotech Australia by posting a second-half profit for 2002-03. [ + ]
Intel eyes the bio network
There are four big targets for computer companies when it comes to networked and clustered computers: energy; manufacturing, financial services – and bioinformatics, according to John Davies, general manager of eBiz channels and marketing at Intel. [ + ]
Biotech a healthy market for chips
Intel is looking hard at the emerging market of biotech devices. [ + ]
BresaGen announces major restructure plans
BresaGen (ASX:BGN) intends to spin off its protein pharmaceuticals business and headquarter it in the US, as part of a major restructure. [ + ]