Industry News
Nanotech expert to assist Chief Scientist
CSIRO nanotechnology expert Dr Vijoleta Braach-Maksvytis has been appointed to a new, part-time role as head of the Office of the Chief Scientist, to assist Chief Scientist Dr Robin Batterham. [ + ]
Chemeq touts study supporting chicken weight drug
An independent study of a polymeric antimicrobial drug made by WA-based company Chemeq has demonstrated that it significantly increases weight gain in chickens compared with two leading antibiotics used as growth promoters. [ + ]
Agencies freed from external funding obligations
Australia's premier science research agencies have been freed of the mandatory need to earn up to 30 percent of their government-supplied income from external sources. [ + ]
StarLink found in locally-bound food
Traces of the controversial genetically-engineered US corn StarLink have been found in Australia's food matrix. [ + ]
Looking underground for revegetation solutions
CSIRO Plant Industry is helping to 're-green' Australia by using soil bacteria to establish healthier native trees more quickly.
[ + ]Peptech celebrates as US anti-TNF patents secured
Sydney biotech company and antibody specialist Peptech has secured a prize patent for its anti-TNF antibody technology in the United States, the world's most lucrative market. [ + ]
EpiTan names ex-CSL czar as director
Melbourne-based EpiTan has appointed ex-CSL general manager Stanley McLiesh as a non-executive director. [ + ]
GTG joins project to bring wallaby back from the brink
Melbourne biotech company Genetic Technologies has become the sponsor of one of Victoria's most endangered animals, the brush-tailed rock wallaby. [ + ]
Agenix profits up as sales soar
One of Australia oldest biotechs, Agenix Ltd, has produced extraordinary across-the-board results on booming sales of its blood clot diagnostic and infant hygiene products. [ + ]
Cytopia unveils new HQ
Brand new labs on the fifth floor of the Baker Medical Research Institute have become the new home for Melbourne biotech company Cytopia. [ + ]
Contract business boosts Progen revenue
Progen Industries has posted a 58 per cent year-on-year revenue gain, due largely to the performance of its life sciences business, particularly its contract drug manufacturing unit. [ + ]
Peplin rights issue bucks the trend
Listed company Peplin Biotech is proving that requests for fresh funds by young biotechs whose products are far from market-ready aren't receiving an automatic thumbs down from investors. [ + ]
Axon posts loss as revenue slumps
Former share market favorite Axon Instruments has posted after-tax losses of $8.8 million on falling revenues for the half year to June 30. [ + ]
McGauran hopes R&D Start scheme will return in 2003
The return of the Federal government's R&D Start grant scheme may be on the horizon, according to Federal Minister for Science Peter McGauran. [ + ]
Proctor & Gamble to trial Ambri's biosensor
Sydney-based company Ambri has announced that it has entered into an agreement with US consumer products giant Proctor & Gamble. [ + ]