UK scientists to probe need for monkey research
24 March, 2005 by Staff WritersBritish scientists are to take the world's first hard look at whether monkeys should continue to be used in biological and medical research.
Benitec licenses technology to French transgenic rat firm
22 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillBenitec (ASX:BLT) has granted a worldwide, non-exclusive commercial licence to French company genOway to develop transgenic rodents with Benitec's proprietary DNA-directed RNA-inferference technology (ddRNAi).
In brief: Recell, Avexa, CBio, Eqitx
22 March, 2005 by Staff WritersClinical Cell Culture (C3, ASX:CCE) has received CE Mark approval from European certification authority and notified body SGS for its Recell medical device, clearing the way for first sales of the product to plastic and cosmetic surgeons.
Tissue Therapies' Vitro-Gro heals burns without scarring
22 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane's Tissue Therapies (ASX:TIS) announced today that trials of its Vitro-Gro wound-healing technology at the Royal Children's Hospital show it not only accelerates the healing of serious burns, but leaves no scarring.
ES cell research opponents cheer Griffith research
22 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillOpponents of embryonic stem cell research have leaped to congratulate Griffith University scientists, who yesterday announced details of research in which differentiated cells were successfully grown from adult stem cells.
Antisense presses on with asthma therapeutic
21 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) is pressing ahead with development of its ATL1102 inhalant inflammation inhibitor for asthma, despite voluntarily suspending research into the drug's potential as a therapy for multiple sclerosis early this month.
FDA approves Amylin's diabetes drug
18 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillProf Garth Cooper, CEO of Auckland biopharma company Protemix, said he was "extremely pleased" this week at the news that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the clinical use of diabetes drug he discovered as a young PhD at Oxford in 1986-7.
Bioprospect buys into US diabetes company
17 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleQueensland company Bioprospect (ASX: BPO) has dipped deep into its pockets, paying US$530,000 for a third of private Seattle-based biotech Astrum Therapeutics, which is investigating compounds that arrest the destruction of insulin-secreting cells associated with type 1 diabetes.
Progen R&D director leaves for medical frontiers
17 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerProgen's vice president of R&D, Robert Don, is leaving the company to take up the "job of a lifetime" developing drugs for neglected diseases that affect developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Starpharma takes stake in start-up Dimerix
16 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillIn one of the more intriguing examples of technological cross-pollination, Melbourne dendrimer-drug drug developer Starpharma Holdings (ASX:SPL, USOTC:SPHRY) announced today it has become a foundation shareholder in a new Perth-based biotech, Dimerix Bioscience.
Sutton resigns from Polartechnics board
16 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleRichard Opara has completed step one in his plan for Sydney device company Polartechnics (ASX:PLT), installing himself as chairman today, after Ventracor CEO Colin Sutton resigned from the position, ending a three week board tussle.
Rockeby appoints Italian distributor
15 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerRockeby Biomed (ASX:RBY) has appointed Italian company Named as its first distributor in the European market.
Bridge program to expand
15 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerThe InnovationXchange's BRIDGE program is set to expand, as it moves toward the end of its one year pilot program. It plans new clusters in health, nanotechnology and medical devices, and has welcomed Resmed to its fold.
NZ-based $100m fund to breathe life into VC sector
14 March, 2005 by Iain ScottThe launch of what is being touted as a new NZ $150 million (AUD$140 million) Australasian life-science venture capital fund, has grabbed centre stage on the first day of the NZBio conference in Auckland.
Tysabri fallout hits Burrill index
14 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleThe withdrawal of Tysabri in mid-Feburary not only "gutted" both Elan and Biogen Idec, but also hit the share prices of other publicly traded biopharmaceutical firms, sending the Burrill Biotech Select Index tumbling to end February down 2 per cent.
