Australia to play role in bovine genome project
30 July, 2003 by Pete YoungA $100 million international project to sequence the bovine genome is being launched following an intensive lobbying effort in which CSIRO played a key role.
Kiwis cut lab rat rates
29 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrA new report by New Zealand's National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) indicates that NZ researchers are now less inclined to reach for the rodent than in previous years, with a 17 per cent drop in the number of animals being used for research, testing or teaching last year.
Biotron files SARS therapeutic patent
29 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrResearchers at Biotron have filed a patent covering the blocking of specific ion channel activity formed within the E protein of the SARS virus, offering a potentially new treatment for the disease.
Medica raises $4.3m for biotech investees
29 July, 2003 by Pete YoungPooled development fund Medica Holdings has completed a fund-raising trifecta for its stable of biotech investee companies.
BIF grants supports acne therapeutic
28 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrSydney-based DermaTech Laboratories has scored a AUD$360,000 Biotechnology Innovation Fund grant from the Commonwealth government to research the development of a bacteria-neutral acne lotion.
Polymerat cheered by new development agreements
28 July, 2003 by Pete YoungMaterials science start-up Polymerat has glimpsed light at the end of the tunnel by signing its first joint product development agreements with established biotechs.
Bayer GM canola gets green light for commercial release
25 July, 2003 by Iain ScottThe Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has given Bayer CropScience the green light to commercially release its InVigor genetically modified canola.
Antisense psoriasis cream to undergo clincial study
25 July, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerAntisense Therapeutics has announced plans to conduct a pre-Phase I proof-of-concept clinical study to confirm that its antisense psoriasis treatment ATL1101 shows activity.
GM farmer warns no case for canola -- yet
24 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrNSW farmer Bruce Finney cultivates more than 7000 hectares of GM crops, including soy beans and maize, and fully supports the use of GM cotton. Ask him about GM canola, and he tells a different story.
Gradipore to target chiral market
24 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrHot on the heels of a new technology-exchange deal with Texas A&M University, Gradipore is to chase the chiral separation market with a product based its membrane purification technology.
GroPep wins patent for infertility drug
22 July, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerGroPep's infertility drug program has received a boost recently with the issue of a patent covering the compound, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).
Ventracor aiming for CE approval by next year
22 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrVentracor's VentrAssist left ventricular assist device may see market approval as early as next year, according to company CEO, Michael Spooner.
Clone sheep company to cull
22 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrFollowing Bayer's withdrawal from joint drug developments with Scottish cloning specialists PPL, the company's New Zealand offshoot is to cull its flock of transgenic sheep, and reduce staff numbers.
Eiffel signs asthma drug deal with US company
21 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrDelivery platform specialist Eiffel Technologies has scored a benchmark deal with US-based asthma drug delivery company, Oriel Therapeutics, to re-engineer asthma drugs optimised for inhaler delivery.
ASX talks up 'Ozdaq' plan
21 July, 2003 by Jeremy TorrThe Australian Stock Exchange is considering an Australian version of the Nasdaq to cater for the special needs of young technology companies -- especially biotechs. And if the regulators agree, the plans could start seeing the light of day in as little as a month or two.
