Victoria trails Queensland among state governments that are energetically supporting bioscience and needs to fine-tune its Bio 21 initiative, according to one of the bioIT industry's most unusual executives, Michael Armitage. [ + ]

Research by a Monash University academic into a family of proteins called serpins and their role in controlling cell growth has earned him the 2003 Victorian Premier's Award for Medical Research.

Australian Cancer Technology (AustCancer)’s anti-cancer vaccine Pentrix is about to enter critical Phase II trials for its efficacy as a disease delay compound against cancer. [ + ]

Perth oil exploration company-turned-biotech EQiTX has signaled a new level of intent for its ambitions with the appointment to its board of ex-Pfizer R&D director Dr Kevin Fahey. [ + ]

Select Vaccines, the first biotech floating an IPO in 2003, has shown the way for investors with a 150 per cent oversubscription from the money market. [ + ]

Researchers associated with Victorian-based AGT Biosciences have landed a $AUD4.4 million grant from the US National Institutes of Health to fund its human gene discovery research. [ + ]

The much-anticipated clinical trial of Ventracor's artificial heart has commenced, with the implantation of the device in the first patient at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on the weekend. [ + ]

Partnering with big pharma was increasingly occurring at the early stage of drug development, including pre-clinical and Phase I, a Melbourne conference was told today. [ + ]

A $54 million Cooperative Research Centre using biotech to inject fresh life into the economics of the sugar industry is due to open for business next month. [ + ]

Following aborted preclinical trials in the UK, Bresagen is to institute proceedings against pathology agency IMVS (Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science) and others involved in initial trials on potential anti-cancer compound E21R. [ + ]

Watching the grass growing is proving intensely interesting to researchers in Queensland. At a unique research facility near Townsville scientists are gaining an insight into how climate change might affect more than a quarter of Australian land.

Victoria trails Queensland among state governments which are energetically supporting bioscience and needs to fine-tune its Bio 21 initiative, according to one of the bioIT industry's most unusual executives, Michael Armitage. [ + ]

Amrad’s bulging coffers and a good prognosis have helped it forecast an overall profit for the year to June 2003, according to latest figures from the company. [ + ]

Melbourne company Virax (ASX: VHL) introduced shareholders to its strategy for partnering in a video conference with US bio-partnering specialists Clearview Projects yesterday, in a move designed to raise shareholder awareness of the partnering process and its importance to biotechnology companies. [ + ]

Reeling under a double-whammy from an allegedly fraudulent former employee and the collapse of supplier Pan Pahramaceuticals, beleaguered nutraceutical Vita Life Sciences had delisted from the ASX. [ + ]