Research agencies face funding shake-up
30 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerCSIRO, the Australian Institute for Marine Science, and other publicly funded research agencies (PRFAs) may be in for a funding shake-up, following the release of the Research Collaboration Review by Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training Brendan Nelson last week.
New VC rules give hope to NSW biotechs
19 March, 2004 by Renate Krelle"Getting money for scientific research in this country is like crawling over broken glass," says Dr Tony Smithyman, MD of Sydney biotech Cellabs. But he is upbeat about new legislation announced by the NSW government which brings NSW venture capital partnership structures in line with overseas venture capital rules.
Healthcare sector led VC field last year
19 March, 2004 by Renate KrelleHealthcare venture capital -- which includes biotechnology -- led the pack in 2003, receiving more Australian venture capital funds than IT software, communications, business services or general technology, according to a new report.
Starpharma breaks away from PDF status, raises $7.56m
18 March, 2004 by Renate KrelleStarpharma (ASX:SPL) today cast off the shackles of its pooled development fund status, and changed its name to Starpharma Holdings Limited. The company also completed a placement of 9 million shares at AUD$0.84, raising $7.56 million.
Trial report sparks Ventracor trading halt
12 March, 2004 by Renate KrelleVentracor (ASX:VCR) called a trading halt this morning in the wake of a newspaper report the company said "could be misinterpreted" to suggest a pilot trial of its VentrAssist heart device would be delayed.
Eyes on China as untapped biotech partner for Aust
09 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerChina has the potential to be a lucrative market for biotechnology, with opportunities in biopharmaceuticals, agricultural biotechnology and industrial biotechnology applications, according to speakers at this morning's BioMelbourne Network breakfast.
Half-year highlights: GTG, Ambri, Iatia
02 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerGenetic Technologies' (ASX: GTG) increased loss, as reported in the company's half-year results last week, was in part due to changes in accounting required for the company's upcoming listing on the US Nasdaq market through the level 2 ADR program, executive chairman Dr Mervyn Jacobson said today.
Deutsche VP weighs in on M&A debate
02 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe vice-president at Deutsche Bank Global Corporate Finance in Australia has called on Australian biotech companies to seriously consider collaborations and M&A activity with other biotechs if they want to be viable.
ARC moves to end grant confusion
01 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerChanges to the wording of the Australian Research Council's discovery grant eligibility criteria have left scientists at medical research institutes believing they are no longer eligible to apply for grants from the organisation.
Feds, industry team up on science action agenda
27 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe federal government has teamed up with industry group Science Industry Australia (SIA) to create a new action agenda.
WA researchers develop new MRI method
26 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers at the University of Western Australia have developed a novel method for detecting iron overload diseases using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Ethics, research needs must be balanced: Cotton
24 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAn Australian geneticist has called for better balancing of ethical concerns with researchers' needs when it comes to developing guidelines for the collection of human genetic and genomic information into databases for research purposes.
Medica highlights successes in half-year results
17 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane-based Pooled Development Fund Medica Holdings (ASX:MCA) is feeling no pain despite reporting a AUD$2.4 million loss in the six months to December 31 last year.
Victorian consortium invests $2 m into Melbourne Uni spin-off
13 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne University spin-off Cryptopharma has received a boost with AUD$2 million in funding from a Victorian consortium of investors led by GBS Venture Partners, Biocomm and Uniseed.
CogState makes ASX debut
13 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne company CogState has made its debut on the ASX, after raising AUD$7 million in its IPO.
