Melbourne biotechnology company EpiTan has received approval from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee in Sydney to proceed to Phase IIb clinical trials of its tan-inducing compound Melanotan next month. [ + ]

A cell-based cancer therapy developed by the Austin Research Institute and Prima Biomed subsidiary company Cancer Vac has passed through Phase I clinical trials with no signs of significant treatment related side-effects. [ + ]

The NSW government's new BioFirst biotechnology incubator is on track for its February 2003 opening and has made named a high-level tech transfer specialist as its associate director. [ + ]

The performance and pay of Biota Holdings' directors have been attacked by the drug discovery company's largest shareholder. [ + ]

Anti-cancer company Sirtex Medical has been given the green light to begin marketing and sales of its lead product SIR-Spheres in the European Community. [ + ]

Lab automation specialist Advanced Rapid Robotic Manufacturing (ARRM) is simultaneously winning professional accolades and expanding its revenue base. [ + ]

Applying technologies for the sustainable management of arid lands, including solar and wind energy use, and water and waste management systems and practices, will be the focus of the new South Australian Centre for Arid Land Technology (SACALT) based at UniSA’s Whyalla campus.

AstraZeneca is investing another $35 million in its joint effort with Queensland's Griffith University to search out naturally-occurring bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical potential. [ + ]

It looks like any other wheat variety, and it's not genetically engineered, but Drysdale, a new semi-dwarf wheat cultivar launched today in Wagga Wagga, is a harbinger of an agricultural revolution. [ + ]

VRI BioMedical has started two Phase II clinical trials in Western Australia and the UK to evaluate the use of its probiotic bacteria for prevention and treatment of allergic disease. [ + ]

A free seminar has been set down for November 13 in Sydney, with the aim of letting young biotechnology companies into the secrets of developing management strategies that will allow them to survive adverse events. [ + ]

Adelaide company Ellex Medical Lasers yesterday announced it had a signed a contract with Californian manufacturer Lumenis to produce a compact new photocoagulator laser for retinal surgery, the Laserex LP3532. [ + ]

Industry association AusBiotech has today launched a special interest group to drive collaboration between the IT, biotechnology and medical device sectors. [ + ]

Adelaide researchers have made progress on the development of a new gene therapy technique for cystic fibrosis, utilising a naturally occurring detergent in combination with a retroviral delivery vector. [ + ]

A bid by Perth lawyer and financier Farooq Khan to force his way onto the board of Biota Holdings has been rejected by the drug discovery company. [ + ]