VRI BioMedical and Proteome Systems have signed a non-binding heads of agreement for a collaboration to develop some of VRI's diagnostic tests as point-of-care applications using Proteome Systems' proprietary diagnostic test platform. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Nextec BioSciences has established an incubator facility for aspiring and early-stage biotech companies. [ + ]

A device that allows doctors to safely take tissue samples from tumours has won a University of Melbourne student the Far Eastern Review Young Inventors Award.

Sydney biosensor specialist Ambri is leveraging newly-forged ties with two high-profile US corporates to negotiate lucrative R&D contracts with the US military. [ + ]

The secrets of the South Australian bioscience sector have been revealed in a survey released last week by BioInnovation SA, the government-supported biotech industry development team. [ + ]

Brisbane's Peplin Biotech and California-based dermatology products specialist Allergan have swapped skin on a deal to bring Peplin's promising anti-cancer compound PEP005 to the skin-cancer market. [ + ]

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Geoff Garrett, has announced the appointment of Dr Graeme Woodrow as the new Chief of the Division of Health Sciences and Nutrition. Dr Woodrow will lead CSIRO's research into nutrition, drug design and the development of diagnostics for diseases.

In its first year of publishing, Australian Biotechnology News has won four awards at the prestigious Australian Business Publishers Bell awards, held in Sydney last week. [ + ]

The Queensland government has chosen a bioscientist with extensive overseas big pharma and commercial experience to head its $100 million life science venture capital fund. [ + ]

A sudden surge in pSivida's share price this month focused attention on the biomaterials company's growing string of promising alliances. [ + ]

Cancer vaccine developer Australian Cancer Technology is mystified and disappointed by negative share market reaction to positive news from human trials of its cancer vaccine, Pentrix. [ + ]

Prima Biomed has become the latest biotech company to successfully raise additional funds through a private placement to institutional and professional investors. [ + ]

Prof Rob Baxter, Director of the Kolling Institute of Medical Research at the Royal North Shore Hospital and head of the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Sydney, has been awarded the 2002 Ramaciotti medal and $20,000 for his research on insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins. [ + ]

Finicky beefeater Jack Sprat and his lipophilic wife would be amazed at what the meat industry is doing these days with the bits neither would eat. [ + ]

Adelaide-based biotech company GroPep pre-empted the complaints of its shareholders at its annual general meeting yesterday, with chairman Richard England noting at the beginning of his speech that the year was the worst in the company's history. [ + ]