Optiscan receives $5m order from Pentax
31 January, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerOptiscan (ASX: OIL) has received an order in excess of AUD$5 million from collaborator Pentax to supply miniaturised microscope components for a flexible endo-microscope, as the Japanese company gears up to launch the new product on the market in May.
Govt to measure biotech's economic impact
28 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleThe federal government is about to embark on a project to quantify the great unknown: measuring the economic impact of biotechnology on the Australian economy overall.
Over 3000 keen to use synchrotron
28 January, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerAt least 3000 scientists from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will be lining up to use the Australian Synchrotron when it opens for business in 2007, according to a report released this week by the project.
Australian scientists honoured
27 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillEminent physiologist and founding director of Melbourne's Florey Institute, Professor Derek Denton, was made a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Australia Day Awards for his service to medical science and Professor Denton made pioneering discoveries about how the brain regulates the body's sodium balance, and fluid and electrolyte levels.
ANSTO to launch STAR accelerator
21 January, 2005 by Susan WilliamsonIn the lead up to the completion of the replacement nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights, the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation (ANSTO) plans to announce a name for the new reactor next week, as well as launch a new Small Tandem for Applied Research (STAR) accelerator.
Starpharma deal with Dow out of the bag
20 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleStarpharma (ASX:SPL) was forced into a trading halt this morning after a report in Melbourne broadsheet The Age revealed that Starpharma's US subsidiary Dendritic Nanotechnologies (DNT) was about to consummate an intellectual property deal with US giant Dow Chemical company.
McKinley resigns as Benitec CEO
18 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillJohn McKinley is to resign as CEO of Brisbane-base RNAi specialist Benitec (ASX:BLT) and Sydney solicitor Ray Whitten -- a 5.79 per cent shareholder through Barbary Coast Investments -- has been appointed as chairman of its board.
Search for a CEO underway at AusBiotech
17 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleFollowing the resignation just before Christmas of AusBiotech executive director Tony Coulepis, the industry body will appoint a CEO to replace him.
QBF ups Glycoz investment
14 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleQueensland BioCapital Funds has invested a further $1.9 million in antibiotic-developer Glycoz, bringing its total stake in the company to $2.4 million
Chemeq bailed out by Japanese investor
14 January, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerChemeq (ASX: CMQ) looks likely to be bailed out of its financial woes by Japanese investor Mizuho International (MZI). But the rescue comes at a price, and Chemeq must meet a string of covenants in order for the deal to continue.
Belyea to step down as Metabolic CEO
13 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleObesity drug-developer Metabolic (ASX:MBP) announced today that the company is searching for a new CEO and that when an appointment is made, founding CEO Chris Belyea will move into a "scientific and technical" role within the company.
Heartware float on track
13 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleThe lawsuit issued by Sydney's Ventracor (ASX:VCR) late last year against US artificial heart company Heartware doesn't seem to have dampened enthusiasm for the newcomer's initial public offering.
Australia should look for competitive niches
13 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerSmaller countries like Australia should implement a well-defined strategy for the development of small technologies including micro- and nanotechnology, according to small technology commercialisation expert Kees Eijkel, in Melbourne to participate in the Healthy Opportunities from Small Technologies conference this week.
Venture capital investment picks up the pace
10 December, 2004 by Michael VitaleAustralian venture capitalists invested more than $1 million per week in Australian biotechnology in the past financial year, an increase on the previous year and a recovery to the historic level of two years ago. As in the past, a large portion of the investment was made by a small number of investors, and was received by a small number of investees.
Australian professor to chair WHO committee
10 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleProf Judith Whitworth - a specialist in hypertension, and current director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research - has been appointed for a three-year term as chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Advisory Committee on Health Research.
