BigShop retreats from Biota bid, but no hard feelings
09 May, 2003 by Pete YoungPerth entrepreneur Farooq Khan is maintaining a stiff upper lip in the aftermath of his failed bid for a board seat on Biota Holdings.
Monsanto, Bayer agree to Vic GM canola moratorium
08 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerBoth Monsanto and Bayer CropScience have agreed to the Victorian State government's 12-month moratorium on the commercial release of GM canola in Victoria, which was announced by Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron today.
Compumedics distribution deal set to net millions
08 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrSleep disorder specialist Compumedics has signed a deal with German medical manufacturer Draeger for distribution of its monitoring and diagnostic products.
AGT patents genes for depression, anxiety
08 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerFive novel genes linked to depression and anxiety have been identified by AGT Biosciences (formerly Autogen) using the company's unique Israeli sand rat model for the disorder.
Progen heartened by melanoma therapy trial
08 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThree US patients with advanced, metastatic melanomas -- one of the most aggressive and rapidly lethal forms of cancer -- remain alive 22 months after being treated with PI-88, an experimental cancer therapy developed by Brisbane-based biotechnology company Progen.
Acrux libido drug readies for PII trials
07 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerAcrux subsidiary FemPharm is poised to commence a Phase II clinical trial testing its proprietary Metered Dose Transdermal System for the delivery of testosterone to women with low libido.
Day in the sun for EpiTan
07 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrThe anti-sunburn drug Melanotan has turned a pallid lifesaver into a bronzed god, according to initial results from trials conducted at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Research institutes mine microarray gold
07 May, 2003 by Pete YoungSome publicly-funded Australian biotech research institutes are enjoying lucrative returns from selling the microarray fabrication skills of their scientists.
CSIRO applied to, but didn't, import wheat virus
06 May, 2003 by Pete YoungCSIRO was awarded a licence in 2001 to conduct a genetic research project using the wheat streak mosaic virus which is infesting a growing number of plant research facilities.
Novogen investigates fast track to local production
06 May, 2003 by Jeremy TorrFollowing highly successful Phase I trials, Sydney-based isoflavone biotech Novogen is considering fast-tracking FDA approval for its new anti-cancer drug Phenoxodiol.
Mouse ES cell advance welcomed
06 May, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillA US research team's demonstration that mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can give rise to apparently normal egg cells in culture provides a "potentially superb" model for studying normal egg development and maturation in mammals, according to a Monash University stem cell expert.
New outbreak, but wheat virus fears could prove unfounded
06 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerA fourth outbreak of wheat streak mosaic virus, detected in research crops in Victoria today, has raised concerns that the virus may become a wider problem.
GTG expands testing services
06 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerGenetic Technologies (ASX: GTG) has expanded the range of testing services it can offer through the acquisition of animal testing service Genetic Science Services (GSS).
Four legs good
05 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerIt doesn't attract the limelight, but Australia's vet biotech sector is making strides, reports Melissa Trudinger
Plenty of scope for new gene discovery
05 May, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerWhat does a scientist do when he has a really interesting gene with blockbuster potential, but no clue about its function?
