BioMelbourne Network - Progressing BioIndustry

Historic Milestone for Cochlear Implants in Victoria

Thursday, 02 September 2010A three-year-old girl from Gippsland has become the recipient of the 2000th cochlear implant at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.Visiting the hospital today, Health Minister Daniel Andrews joined bionic ear pioneer Professor Graeme Clark and patients to celebrate the historic milestone by releasing 99 balloons each with a unique patient story.“This milestone i... read more…

Phosphagenics Exercises Option to Licence AOD9604 to Develop Topical Cellulite Product

2 September 2010• Cosmeceutical with potential short timeframe to market• TPM™ technology superior in delivering active ingredients providing greater results• Human testing scheduled for early 2011Phosphagenics Limited (ASX: POH, OTCQX: PPGNY) has exercised its option to licence the Calzada Limited (ASX: CZD) (formerly Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited) patented compound, AOD9604, for ... read more…

Dr Christine Bennett Appointed Chair of Research Australia

Dr. Christine Bennett appointed Chair of Research Australia 3rd September 2010. The Board of Research Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Christine Bennett as Chairman of Research Australia. Dr Bennett is Chief Medical Officer and Director Health Care Leadership with Bupa Australia. Dr Bennett is well positioned to take the organization into its next important... read more…

Halcygen Reports Maiden Profit and Dividend

31 August 2010 Halcygen Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: HGN) today announced underlying operating earnings of $12.2M, which are as expected for the year ending 30 June 2010. This represents eight months of the acquisition of Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd (Mayne Pharma) effective 1 November 2009. As a result of this strong profit, the Board of Halcygen has declared a fully franked dividend o... read more…

Latest International Biotech IPO's

July 2010 In the last few months, three biotech IPO's were added bringing the total of biotch IPO's since last August to 23. Genmark Diagnostics (US), CorMedix (US), and Novagali (France) each raised under USD$30M, which is under the median amount raised for all 23 biotech IPOs – globally (USD$39M) and in the US (USD$79M) . The post IPO performance continues to be weak, with the median stock... read more…

Richard Treagus wins Southern Region Entrepreneur of the Year in the 'Listed' category

Entrepreneurial excellence awarded in Southern Region Friday, 27 August 2010 — Entrepreneurial excellence was celebrated and recognised at the 10th annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Southern Region Awards held in Melbourne last night.The 2010 Southern Region winners, by category, are: Young entrepreneur: Andrew Thomas, Thomas Duryea Consulting Technology & emerging industrie... read more…

Victorian Biotech Improves Health in Developing Countries

27 August 2010, Melbourne “Victoria’s biomedical research and biotechnology sector have 120 commercial products and mature research projects either in the pipeline or on the market, to fight infectious diseases that contribute to the leading causes of death in resource poor communities,” said Ms Michelle Gallaher, CEO BioMelbourne Network. This includes some · ... read more…

Victorian biotechnology – saving lives in the world’s poorest countries

By Michelle Gallaher, CEO BioMelbourne Network. 27 August 2010. Today, Victorian biotech companies and research organisations played a hand in saving thousands of lives in many of the poorest countries in the world. Diagnosing and treating malaria, hepatitis and HIV / AIDS, vaccinating children and implementing basic are just some of the challenges international aid agencies face ever... read more…

Acrux Reports Maiden Profit of $46.6 Million

25 August 2010Highlights:- Maiden profit after tax $46.6 million (2009: loss $7.7 million)- Diluted earnings per share 28.7 cents (2009: loss 4.8 cents)- Cash reserves $58.6 million (2009: $14.7 million)- Revenue $56.1 million (2009: $3.5 million)- Axiron™ transforms Acrux financial position: - Global licence agreement with Eli Lilly, with milestone payments of up to US$335 million, ... read more…

Australia's Medical Research Commercialisation Fund Chooses Thomsom Pharma® From Thomson Reuters

25 August 2010Thomson Reuters today announces that the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) has chosen Thomson Pharma® to serve the key commercialisation and business development needs of its 27 members. The MRCF is an innovative investment collaboration,that invests in the most promising opportunities emanating from its members, including 27 of Australia’s leading Medical Research I... read more…

New Non-Exec Directors at Phosphagenics

PHOSPHAGENICS APPOINTS THREE NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TO BOOST ITS COMMERCIAL TRANSFORMATION Stuart James – former CEO & Managing Director of Mayne Pharma Sandra Webb – Director of Ground Zero Pharmaceuticals Don Clarke – Partner Minter Ellison, Deputy Chair of Webjet & Director Circadian Technologies Phosphagenics Limited (ASX: POH; OTCQX: PPGNY) has appointed Mr Stuart James... read more…

Prana Biotechnology Secures Key Patents in US & Europe

Prana Biotechnology Secures Key Patents in US & Europe Prana secures key PBT2 patents in the United States and EuropePatents support pipeline opportunities for PBT2 in AD and HDMELBOURNE, Australia – August 24, 2010 : Prana Biotechnology (ASX : PBT; NASDAQ : PRAN) today announced that it has secured key PBT2 patents in Europe and the United States.The United States Patent and Trademark Office ... read more…

Coalition policy for innovation, industry, science & research

COALITION PLAN FOR REAL ACTION ON INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE & RESEARCH 19 August 2010. For a full copy of the policy, email mgallaher@biomelbourne.org EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Coalition’s Plan for Real Action on Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will revitalise our national competitiveness, support our food industry, maintain our ability to supply essential materials to ... read more…

$20 million global network to tackle malaria

18 August 2010. Today at the XIIth International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA XII) Andy Waters, head of the European Virtual Institute for Malaria Research (EVIMalaR) will tell us how a global network of scientists will tackle the biggest human parasite problem, malaria.EVIMalaR, with formal links to its Australian equivalent OzEMalaR, brings together over 80 of the world’s leading research... read more…

Politicians must safeguard Australians' access to generics

17 August, 2010. The Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA) is calling on all federal politicians to safeguard Australians’ The PBS provides good value for money The PBS is the most cost-effective element of the health care system in Australia. Since 1993, every product put on the PBS has undergone rigorous, independent health economic assessment to ensure it is cost-effecti... read more…

Coalition comment on R&D Tax

Media Release Authorised and printed by Brian Loughnane for the Liberal Party of Australia Cnr Blackall and Macquarie Sts BARTON ACT 2600 Sophine Mirabella MP Wednesday 11 August 2010 MORE BETRAYAL FROM LABOR ON AUSTRALIAN R&D Australian businesses have every right to feel dismayed after Innovation Minister Kim Carr confirmed yesterday he would stubbornly ... read more…

ALP launches innovation policy today

Campaign Media Release 11 August 2010 Minister for innovation, industry, science and research labor candidate for hinkler INNOVATION TO MOVE AUSTRALIA FORWARD Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, said today that a Gillard Labor Government would work to raise living standards and create jobs by increasing Australia’s capacity to generate and apply new ideas. Senator Ca... read more…

Medicines Australia launches federal election priorities

August 10, 2010. Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw today announced the 2010 federalelection priorities for the Australian medicines industry. Medicines and the 2010 Federal Election: Supporting Australia’s Health urges all politicalparties to support three key objectives: - Provide business certainty for the Australian medicines industry- Ensure Australian medicines industry... read more…

Universal Biosensors Announces Launch of OneTouch® Verio™ in Australia by LifeScan

August 9, 2010. Universal Biosensors, Inc. (ASX: UBI) announced today that it has been informed by LifeScan (a Johnson & Johnson company), that LifeScan’s new product incorporating technology developed with Universal Biosensors will be made available for sale in Australia under the OneTouch® Verio™ brand from the 1st of September 2010. LifeScan, a global company with a presence in 75 countries ... read more…

YM Biosciences announces conclusion of phase I dose-escalation and expansion of ongoing CYT387 phase I/II clinical study

MISSISSAUGA, Canada – August 5, 2010 YM BioSciences Inc. (NYSE Amex:YMI, TSX:YM), announced the conclusion of dose-escalation in the Phase I portion of its Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387 at Mayo Clinic in patients with myelofibrosis. In total, 21 patients were treated in Phase I, with no voluntary withdrawals reported. CYT387 has shown significant activity in reducing spleen size and con... read more…

Roxon' critique of Abbott Health Policy

MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE SYDNEY 5 AUGUST 2010 E & O E – PROOF ONLY Subjects: Tony Abbott’s health promises ROXON: Thanks very much for coming today. I want to make some comments in response to Mr Abbott’s launch today of what he is calling a health policy. Of course what it means is the community now, at last, has a clear choice ... read more…

CTG grants third license to Monsanto

Genetic Technologies grants third license to Monsanto Increases licensing revenue to GTG Revenue is not-dilutive 6 August 2010: Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG; NASDAQ: GENE) is pleased to announce that it has granted a third license to Monsanto Company of St. Louis, Missouri, USA (“Monsanto”). Genetic Technologies had previously granted a non-exclusive license to the GTG no... read more…

$3.7 million for cancer research in Melborne

Tuesday, 3 August, 2010 $3.7 million for world class cancer research Evaluating the benefits of a world-first project that uses personalised films to support young cancer patients is one of the projects sharing in $3.7 million Brumby Labor Government funding for cancer research. Visiting the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre today, Health Minister Daniel Andrews announced 24 research p... read more…

"Melbourne, Australia. Life sciences capital of the Asia Pacific" - A supplement published by Life Science CLUSTERS magazine

Click here to view the supplement, published by Life Science CLUSTERS magazine. read more…

Update on seasonal influenza vaccine for children

Update on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Children Update on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Children Melbourne, Australia — 30/07/2010 CSL Limited (CSL) supports the statement made today by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer regarding seasonal flu vaccine for young children.Since becoming aware of an association between CSL’s influenza vaccine and increased febrile reactions in chil... read more…

New appointment at Halcygen

Executive Director Resignation Management Appointment Thursday 29th July 2010, Melbourne Australia: Halcygen Pharmaceuticals Limited today announced Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Craig Bottomley would step down from the role after 5 years with the company due to family reasons. Lisa Pendlebury would assume the role of Investor Relations Manager. Lisa was previously the... read more…

300+ jobs created as CSL expands

More than 300 jobs created as biotech giant expands 16 July 2010. Melbourne. The Victorian Government will back global biopharmaceutical company CSL to invest $235 million on a major expansion of its Broadmeadows facility which will create 333 new jobs by 2018. At CSL in Broadmeadows today, Premier John Brumby was joined by Commonwealth Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, S... read more…

Commercialisation Grants of $2.2 million announced

14 July, 2010. Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, today announced over $2.2 million in support for eleven new projects. This follows the $9.6 million in funding announced in April. Unfortunately no Victorian companies were grant recipients. To view the list of grant recipients, click here. read more…

New Chairman elected to Avexa Board

AVEXA has gained 15% this morning after its new board elected former director Joe Baini as its new chairman and began preparing for an independent review of HIV drug apricitabine and discussions with regulatory authorities over ATC’s future potential. Baini retired from the board in May, a departure then-chairman Nathan Drona said was due to an “an inability to commit the require... read more…

Small technologies means big business for Victoria

Small technology means big business for Victoria Self cleaning paint, miniature sensors that detect disease in its early stages and next generation batteries are all revolutionary products that could result from research undertaken at the new $57 million Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication. Opening the centre in Clayton today, Premier John Brumby and Innovation Minister Gavin Jenning... read more…

Melbourne Pathology to be First Australian Site to use Breakthrough Microbiology System

• Australian innovation already sold in US, Europe and Asia• Changes microbiology labs into automated workplaces 1 July 2010: Melbourne Pathology is the first Australian laboratory to acquire PREVI™ Isola. Distributed by bioMérieux Australia Pty Ltd, PREVI™ Isola is based on LBT Innovations Limited (ASX: LBT) revolutionary MicroStreak® technology for automated agar plate streaking in microbio... read more…

Global R&D productivity declining

Global Pharmaceutical R&D Productivity Declining According to Thomson Reuters, CMR International 28 June 2010. Philadelphia & London PRNewswire/ -- The pharmaceutical industry continues to rely heavily on sales from an aging portfolio of drugs, whilst the proportion of total sales from newer drugs has dropped, according to data released today from the 2010 Pharmaceutical R&D Factbook compil... read more…

Vic Govt. announces new $11.4 million competitive business fund

5 July 2010. The new Competitive Business Fund is a key component of Transition to a Global Future, a Victorian Government initiative to assist businesses to take maximum advantage of new opportunities that are emerging in the global economy. Funding in the order of $3.3 million is available in the first round of grants for projects that strengthen the competitiveness of strategic Victorian in... read more…

Davies Collison Cave bring home IP awards

24 June 2010. DCC wins "Australian Prosecution IP Firm of the Year" Award for 2010 Davies Collison Cave is pleased to announce the firm was awarded "Australian Prosecution IP Firm of the Year" for 2010 by leading UK Journal Managing Intellectual Property (MIP). The award was presented at the Global Awards Ceremony in London on 24 June 2010. The firm has now won this prestigious award in 200... read more…

Applications for VESKI Innovation Fellowships 2010/11 are NOW OPEN

Applications for VESKI Innovation Fellowships 2010/11 are NOW OPEN... Are you, or do you know, an Outstanding Individual who wishes to return to Victoria to undertake a Research Project? Applications for VESKI Innovation Fellowships for take up in financial year 2010/11 are NOW OPEN with submissions closing at 5pm on Wednesday, 25th August 2010.The VESKI Innovation Fellowships are open to in... read more…

TGA restructured

Therapeutic Goods Administration - new structural arrangements 28 June 2010 The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will officially launch a new organisational structure on 1 July 2010. This new structure will support the TGA's delivery of appropriate, consistent, effective and efficient regulation into the future. This is the first time the TGA has comprehensively reviewed and implemente... read more…

PM Announces New Ministry

28 June, 2010. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced her new Ministry. Simon Crean will take over the Prime Minister portfolio's of Employment and Workplace Relations; Education; and Social Inclusion. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith will has been given responsibility for the Trade portfolio. Lindsay Tanner will remain in his current role until the election. Mr Tanner has indic... read more…

R&D Tax Bill stalled but still on the agenda

25th June 2010. The R&D Bill was not heard in the Senate yesterday, and so will not pass in this sitting of Parliament. The next possible sitting is in late August; however, with the change of Prime Minister and the possibility of an early election, it is possible this sitting may not occur. For more information about the R&D Tax Bill go to the BMN Resources page or click here. The ... read more…

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's first speech

THE HON JULIA GILLARD MPPRIME MINISTER TRANSCRIPT Initial remarks11:40am Thursday24 June 2010Caucus Room, Parliament HouseCanberraThank you for joining me in this jam packed room. And can I say, Australians one and all, it’s with the greatest humility, resolve and enthusiasm that I sought the endorsement of my colleagues to be the Labor Leader and to become Prime Minister of this country. I h... read more…

Pharma industry will submit Ph III trial results for publication

Pharmaceutical industry makes commitment to submit clinical trial results for publication 22 June 2010. Medicines Australia fully supports a new commitment by the global research-based pharmaceutical industry to submit for scientific journal publication the results of all its Phase III clinical trials. The commitment, set out in a policy position announced last week by the Internation... read more…

AiG calls for the R&D tax Bill to be scrapped

The Australian Industry Group is calling for the R&D tax Bill to be opposed in the Senate where it will be introduced on Tuesday 22 June. The Bill is currently up for debate in the House of Representatives and was read for the second time on Friday. For access to the Bill and to a collection of commentary by various group click on this link to the Resources section of the BioMelbourne Netw... read more…

Simon McKeon Appointed to Helm of CSIRO

Media Release: Senator the Hon Kim CarrSIMON MCKEON APPOINTED TO HELM OF CSIRO 21 June 2010. Mr Simon McKeon has been appointed Chairman of the CSIRO Board.Mr McKeon brings executive experience in a wide range of public and private sector organisations to the Board. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the Melbourne Office at Macquarie Group. Announcing the appointment today, Innovation ... read more…

Peter Beattie Appointed to Medical Research Commercialisation Fund

17 June 2010: Former Queensland Premier and long time champion of Australia’s biotechnology industry, the Hon Peter Beattie, has been appointed as a non-executive Director of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund. The Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) was established in 2007 as an innovative investment collaboration between Australia’s leading medical research institutes a... read more…

Richard Treagus nominated in 2010 E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year

Melbourne, 17 June 2010: Acrux (ASX: ACR) is pleased to announce that its CEO Richard Treagus has been nominated for the 2010 Entrepreneur Of The Year awards (southern region – Victoria and Tasmania), following Acrux’s achievements with AXIRON ™ . Richard joins other nominees from across Australia who will compete for the ultimate prize of being named 2010 Australian En... read more…

Melbourne most attractive R&D tax environment in the world: KPMG

Melbourne most attractive R&D tax environment in the world: KPMG12 May 2010. Melbourne has topped the world in a special KPMG report on tax, ranked as the most attractive tax environment globally for R&D operations, ahead of Montreal, Sydney and Vancouver. The report also ranked Australia first in the national R&D tax category, scoring 12.1 against the US baseline of 100 - meaning the tax burd... read more…

Invetech team wins presitgious 2010 Gold Medical Design Excellence Award

10 June 2010. Previ Isola wins prestigious 2010 Gold Medal Design Excellence Award (MDEA) - developed and manufactured by Invetech. invetech wins the MDEA two consecutive years in a row following TearLab's win in 2009. PREVI™ Isola, a breakthrough medical instrument that delivers a faster, more precise and cost-efficient way to process patient specimens, has been awarded the prestigious 20... read more…

Victoria leads the way in Medical Research

8 June 2010. A breakthrough in understanding why organs are rejected after transplants has won Victorian medical researcher Dr Julia Archbold the 2010 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research. The Premier, John Brumby, presented Dr Archbold and other winners with awards and prize money at a ceremony at Government House today. He also announced funding for two high performa... read more…

$21m fund for stem cell research

Media Release Senator the Hon Kim CarrJoint media release with the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon. Mark Butler MP31 May 2010Fund to power stem cell science breakthroughs The Australian Government will establish a stem cell research fund to boost research in a field that may hold the key to curing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The Australian Research Counci... read more…

OECD Innovations Strategy confirms Australia is on track

OECD innovation strategy embraces Australian approach 28 May, 2010. An innovation strategy released by the OECD strongly supports ideas already adopted in Australia as part of the Rudd Government’s innovation agenda, Powering Ideas. The OECD Innovation Strategy confirms that Australia is on the right track by focusing on innovation as a key driver of long-term economic growth. “Imitation is ... read more…

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Patent held by WARF declared invalid

Stem Cell Battle Continues The ongoing battle between the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and the Public Patent Foundation has seen one of WARF's three stem cell patents declared invalid by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patents in question relate to methods for deriving and growing primate and human embryonic stem cells. The Public Patent Foundation has been arguing that ... read more…

Dr Jackie Fairley joins Board of Melbourne Business School

MBS Announces Renewed Board Melbourne Business School announced changes to its board of directors. Chairman Ron McNeilly, has retired along with two other board members, Mr. Geoffrey Allen AM and Mr. Eric Gwee Teck Hai. The board has appointed Peter Barnes as Chairman, effective immediately. Mr Barnes has had a long and distinguished association with the Melbourne Business School, beginn... read more…

$250m biotech fund to drive innovation out of Qld

Premier and Minister for the ArtsThe Honourable Anna Bligh Thursday, May 20, 2010 Australian-first: $250m biotech fund to drive innovation out of Qld The Bligh Government has secured an Australian-first venture capital fund which provides unprecedented international financial backing to drive ideas and innovation in Queensland. Premier Anna Bligh today announced the venture capital f... read more…

Congratulations to Davies Collison Cave winner of the Australasian Law Awards

BioMelbourne Network member Davies Collison Cave is this year's Australasian Law award winner for IP Specialist Law firm. The Australasian Law Awards, made by Australian Legal Business Magazine, are the premier awards for the Australian and New Zealand legal industry. This is the fourth time the firm has taken out this prestigious award. The well-established and much anticipated event gathers ... read more…

VU installs George Pappas as new Chancellor

Victoria University installed Mr George Pappas as its fourth Chancellor on Thursday 13 May at a ceremony at Flemington Racecourse.Professor David de Kretser, AC, Governor of Victoria, presided over the ceremony in his role as University Visitor.Mr Pappas took up his new role on 1 January 2010 following the retirement of the Hon Justice Frank Vincent AO, QC who was VU Chancellor for more than ei... read more…

Suzanne Cory - first elected female President of the Australian Academy of Science

7 May 2010 Distinguished cancer researcher, Professor Suzanne Cory, has been elected by her peers as President of the Australian Academy of Science – an institution that has been dominated by male scientists since its formation in 1954. As the first elected female President she takes over the role from outgoing President, Professor Kurt Lambeck. Professor Cory said of the appointment ‘I fee... read more…

BioMelbourne Network - 2010 Federal Budget Commentary

By Michelle Gallaher, CEO BioMelbourne Network For a summary of the Federal Budget for biotech, go to the Victoian BioPortal and follow links through to the Federal Government section of the web site where you will find all of the relevant links to documents related to biotechnology as ell as a collection of comments from other sources. read more…

Settlement Agreement Transferring Luramist Assets to Acrux

11th May, 2010. Melbourne, Australia. Acrux today signed an agreement with Vivus Inc., under which all disputes relating to Luramist ™, the testosterone spray for women, have been settled. Under the settlement agreement, which resolves all claims and potential claims by either party, the Testosterone Development and Commercialzation Agreement between the parties has been terminated with ... read more…

Genera Biosystems partners with Healthscope on a respiratory test

11th May, 2010. Melbourne, Australia. Genera partners with Healthscope to develop a test for the detection of respiratory tract pathogens. RTI-plex will be able to identify and differentiate up to 30 different respiratory pathogens, including avian influenza and SARS and Genera to retain global commercialisation rights. Genera Biosystems today announced a new collaborative arran... read more…

Avexa announces the end of lead HIV program and CEO resigns

10th May 2010. Avexa closes Apricitabine (ATC) Program and announces CEO resignation, headcount redction & plan to explore strategic alternatives. The Board of Avexa Limited (ASX:AVX) has resolved to cease any further development of its lead HIV program, ATC, following the unsuccessful conclusion of partnering discussions with global pharmaceutical companies. This announcement follo... read more…

Platypus peptides potential to kill human superbugs

From the Minister for Agriculture at BIO2010 Chicago. Thursday, 06 May 2010 One of Australia’s most unique animals, the platypus, could hold the key to finding a new generation of medicines to kill off drug-resistant “superbugs”, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper announced today. Mr Helper said scientists from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) were the first in the world to isol... read more…

Victorian Government BIO Chicago releases

5th May 2010. Overnight, the Victorian Government released a number of announcements at BIO Chicago. A new laser treatment for eye disease shows promise in a Victorian Government funded trial. The Victorian Commercialisation Fund invests in a new treatment fro Alzheimer's disease, and Victoria establishes its first bioelectronics laboratory. Click here for all of the Victorian Gover... read more…

Genetic Technologies Grants Non-Coding License to Gen-Probe

3rd May, 2010. Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG; NASDAQ: GENE) is pleased to announce that it has executed a Settlement and License Agreement with respect to its non-coding patents with Gen-Probe Inc., based in San Diego, California, USA. The license granted by GTG covers the world-wide activities of Gen-Probe in relation to its genetic diagnostics and analysis products. The commerc... read more…

Mantrax & TCG Lifesciences collaborate on drug solutions

Mantrax Ventures and TCG Lifesciences collaborate for innovative global drug discovery & development solutions Melbourne, Australia: 27 April 2010: Global contract research and informatics company TCG Lifesciences Limited (TCGLS) today launched its Australian operations to offer highly efficient and sought-after discovery research and development services. Mantrax Ventures will represent ... read more…

YM BioSciences announces controlled equity offering

MISSISSAUGA, Canada – April 26, 2010 – YM BioSciences Inc. (NYSE Amex:YMI, TSX:YM), announced today that it has filed a prospectus supplement to its final base shelf prospectus, dated September 16, 2009, with the Ontario Securities Commission, and a supplement to its U.S. prospectus, dated September 16, 2009, forming part of its U.S. registration statement, with the United States Securiti... read more…

Biotech enters the Australian immigration debate

By Michelle Gallaher, CEO, BioMelbourne Network. Published 27 April 2010 on the Invest Victoria, Countdown to BIO Blog. If Australia is to embrace and fully support innovation, the first item on the ‘must have’ check list is skills. Having the right people who can translate good ideas to commercial success. Australia has a wealth of good ideas, research and discovery ambition, but we hone... read more…

Eye drug inds new life in Geelong diabetes trial

Eye drug finds new life in Geelong diabetes trial People with diabetes invited to participate in trial Media release: Geelong, Thursday 23 April 2010 Modern drugs can stabilise adult onset diabetes but with some serious side effects. A Geelong-based company, Verva Pharmaceuticals, has a new approach – a drug used for many years to treat eye disease. In animal testing, the drug restored sensi... read more…

YM BioSciences announces efficacy data for JAK1/2 inhibitor in Blood publication

YM BioSciences announces pivotal preclinical efficacy data for the JAK1/2 inhibitor CYT387 published in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Haematology MISSISSAUGA, Canada – April 19, 2010 – YM BioSciences Inc. (NYSE Amex:YMI, TSX:YM), announced the pre-publication of pivotal preclinical data for CYT387, the company’s highly selective and potent JAK1/2 inhibitor, currently in a Ph... read more…

Victorian Government invests $10.5 million in small technologies

On April 16 the Victorian Government launched its $10.5 million Victorian Action Plan for Small Technologies at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication in Clayton. “Victoria leads the way in nanotechnology and microtechnology in Australia and the Brumby Labor Government is taking action with this plan to ensure the growth of the sector by increasing its export and investment potential,” Innov... read more…

Halcygen completes recuitment of phase II

Halcygen Completes Recruitment of its US-conducted Phase II Study for SUBAâ-Itraconazole Final Patient Recruited (175 patients) in Phase II Safety-Efficacy Study Initiated in July 2009 Tuesday 13th April 2010, Melbourne Australia: HalcyGen Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: HGN) is pleased to announce that it has recruited and began treatment of the last patient in its US-based Phase II... read more…

Davies Collison Cave wins BRW Client Choice Award

BRW Client Choice Awards 2010 - Davies Collison Cave voted the Best Patent and Trade Mark Attorney Firm. BRW Client Choice Awards winner for 2010. Davies Collison Cave, is a BRW Client Choice Awards winner for 2010. The BRW Client Choice Awards are based on quantitative research into buyers of professional services, conducted independently by Beaton Consulting. The selection of the ... read more…

LBT Innovations Wins Prestigious International Medical Award

The award highlights PREVI™ Isola’s breakthrough technology for microbiology testingLBT CEO to accept award at formal ceremony in New York City in June9 April 2010, South Australia: An Australian medical innovation has won a major international medical excellence design award.The breakthrough PREVI™ Isola – a revolutionary technology for streaking agar plates in microbiology laboratories – has ... read more…

Boehringer Ingelheim announce new VC fund

Boehringer Ingelheim today announced the launch of its corporate venture capital fund, the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF). The BIVF aims to invest in Biotech and Start-up companies that provide ground-breaking therapeutic approaches and technologies to help drive innovation in medical science. These may include - but are not limited to - new therapeutic concepts including stem cells ... read more…

Phosphagenics signs global agreement with Novartis

March 31, 2010. The Melbourne-based biotechnology company, Phosphagenics Limited (ASX:POH, OTCQX:PPGNY) announced today the signing of a global agreement to develop their patented transdermal (TPM) insulin delivery system for the treatment of diabetes in companion animals. The deal signed with Novartis Animal Health, a business unit within the global Novartis Group, opens new opportuni... read more…

BIODIEM (ASX:BDM) - Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Program Update

Melbourne, Wednesday 31 March 2010: Australian biopharmaceutical development company BioDiem Ltd (ASX: BDM) announces an update on the Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Program with the World Health Organization (WHO). In September 2009 the World Health Organization entered into two sublicences, under its Global Pandemic Influenza Action Plan for developing countries, with the Government Pharmac... read more…

EMBL Australia Launch

BOOST TO AUSTRALIA-EUROPE SCIENCE LINK Senator The Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research today made a series of announcements on the progression of Australia’s link with Europe’s foremost life sciences research body. EMBL Australia was initiated in 2008 to capitalise on Australia being granted the first Associate Membership of the European Molecular Bio... read more…

Joint Technology Fund To Boost Victorian Innovation

A new round of funding is available for Victorian companies to turn their innovative ideas into commercial products under the joint fund agreement between the State of Victoria and Israel.Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings has opened the seventh round of funding for the Victoria–Israel Science and Technology R&D Fund (VISTECH) which provides matching grants of up to US$500,000. VISTECH was laun... read more…

Sidley Austin awarded gong for top life sciences law firm in US

February 3, 2010 New York – Sidley Austin LLP, a new member of the BioMelbourne Network and the first US member, was named the number one law firm in the United States for Life Sciences in The International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers, published by Who’s Who Legal. Sidley was the most highly nominated firm in the U.S., with more nominations from clients and peers than any other law f... read more…

Biotechnology needs a shot in the arm - R&D Tax

Biotechnology needs shot in the arm Michelle Gallaher From: The Australian March 20, 2010 12:00AM BIOTECHNOLOGY is akin to white-water rafting. It's not for the fainthearted and players are known to have a great appetite for risk and the unexpected. These attributes have served the sector well to date. Biotechnology has proved to be resilient, particularly so during the tough econ... read more…

Business Partnering Grants still open for BIO2010

The Biotechnology International Partnering Program (BIPP) provides grant assistance for eligible Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas biotechnology conferences and trade events. Participants will need to demonstrate market outcomes achieved as a result of attendance. BIPP has been developed by the Victorian Government to support the growth and internationalisation of Victorian ... read more…

Viralytics moves to increase US presence

Viralytics moves to increase US presence 19th March 2010, Sydney: Viralytics Limited (ASX: VLA, OTC: VRACY): Sydney based cancer drug development Company Viralytics Limited (ASX: VLA) has moved to increase its international profile in the lucrative US biotech investment market. The Company has gained clearance from the US Financial Industry and Regulatory Authority to upgrade its Am... read more…

US Sales of Doryx Update

Tuesday 2nd March 2010, Melbourne Australia: HalcyGen Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: HGN) reports that its marketing and distribution partner for its Doryx product, Warner Chilcott (USA), has filed its operating results showing US$66.6 million and US$210.0 million in Doryx sales for the quarter and year ended 31 December 2009 respectively (attached). The following is an extract of the commentar... read more…

Nominations Open for 2010 Victoria Prize and Fellowships

The Brumby Labor Government today invited Victoria’s leading and emerging scientists, engineers and innovators to enter the prestigious 2010 Victoria Prize and Victoria Fellowships. Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said previous Victoria Prize and Victoria Fellowships winners had pioneered new ways of treating heart failure, stress and high blood pressure as well as the development of polymer... read more…

Innovation Investment Fund - application round open today

FUNDING TO GROW VENTURE CAPITAL: CALL FOR FURTHER APPLICATIONS Fund managers around the country are invited to submit applications under the latest round of the Government’s venture capital support program, the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF). Investment in venture capital is a driver of innovation. In the wake of the global recession it is more important than ever to attract investment ... read more…

LBT Innovations - Half Year Results

17 February 2010, Adelaide: LBT Innovations Limited (formerly LabTech Systems) (ASX: LBT), the Australian clinical and diagnostic technology developer, today released its interim results for the half-year to 31 December 2009. For the first half of this financial year revenue and profit after tax decreased compared to the previous corresponding period, the main difference being no revenue from ... read more…

CSL - ASX Announcement

17th February, 2010 - CSL - ASX Accouncement - Interim Result. Profit $617 million up 23% (up 32% at constant currency) Cash Flow from Operations $491 million up 10% CSL Limited today announced a profit after tax of $617 million for the six months ended 31 December 2009, up 23% when compared to the six months ended 31 December 2008. This result included an unfavourable foreign exchange impac... read more…

Commercialisation Australia Board Members Announced

Senator the Hon Kim Carr, 9th February 2010 Australia’s innovative firms, scientists and researchers are set to benefit from a panel of experts appointed today to serve as the inaugural Commercialisation Australia Board. Commercialisation Australia is a radical new $196 million initiative which takes a hands-on approach to help bring ideas to market by offering a range of tailored assistance ... read more…

HealthLinx’ OvPlex™ ovarian cancer diagnostic awarded BioSpectrum Asia Product of the Year

5 February 2010, Melbourne: Medical diagnostics company HealthLinx Limited (ASX:HTX) has been awarded the BioSpectrum Asia Product of the Year award 2010 for its ovarian cancer diagnostic OvPlex™. The award was judged by an independent jury of international life sciences experts compiled by BioSpectrum Asia, one of the largest industry magazines in the Asian Pacific region. The jury judged OvPl... read more…

Genera Biosystems Receives TGA Approval for its PapType HPV Detection and Genotyping Test

Melbourne: 22nd January, 2010 PapType, Genera Biosystems’ HPV test receives approval from the TGA Genera Biosystems has appointed Lazard as its financial adviser to advise on transaction options available for PapType commercialisation Repeatability/Reproducibility study successfully completed Genera Biosystems today announced that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TG... read more…

ASX Announcement - Cytopia Limited (ASX:CYT)

ASX ANNOUNCEMENT15 January 2010 COURT APPROVAL OF SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT The Supreme Court of Victoria has today made Orders approving the Scheme between Cytopia Limited (ASX:CYT) and its shareholders, pursuant to section 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Shareholders voted strongly in favour of the merger at the Scheme Meeting held on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. A copy of the ... read more…

Benitec and CSIRO reach Win-Win Agreement

4 January 2010, Melbourne, Australia: Benitec Limited (ASX: BLT) today announced that it had signed a win-win agreement with Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).“We have successfully negotiated a win-win agreement whereby the Capital Growth Agreement and the Commercial Agreement will be terminated in exchange for providing CSIRO with a 10% equity sta... read more…

Committee for Melbourne appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Melbourne, 23rd December, 2009 - The Committee for Melbourne has announced today, the appointment of Mr Andrew MacLeod as its Chief Executive Officer, commencing January 2010. In taking the role, Mr MacLeod said, “I am pleased to be joining the Committee for Melbourne. I am excited by the challenge of working with the Committee’s broad and influential membership to improve our business sector,... read more…

Commercialisation Australia web site launch

The Commercialisation Australia web site was launched today with detail of what the goals of the iniative are and how companies can interact. go to www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx read more…

Science Great to visit Australia

Melbourne, Australia, 3rd December, 2009 - Victorians look set to welcome a science superstar to our shores with one of the world’s most influential geneticists visiting Melbourne next year.Dr J Craig Venter, best known for his role in sequencing the human genome, will deliver the Graeme Clark Oration on 17 March 2010 in his only Australian appearance.“Dr Venter has an international reputation ... read more…

COMET axed

“A news release from Minister Kim Carr's office today details how Commercialisation Australia will supercede COMET from January 2010. As Commercialisation Australia comes into operation, the services and assistance it offers will supersede those currently available under the Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) program. Government assistance for commercialising Australian i... read more…

Wild Child signs US distribution deal

Perth, Australia, 25th November, 2009 - Wild Child has scored a major coup in the lucrative US market, signing a distribution deal with natural health-care giant Hyland's to allow the West Perth company to expand its presence in the country fourfold. Wild Child products, which grew out of single mother Leanne Preston's decision to make her own natural treatment for head lice in 1997, has expan... read more…

Hexima and ACPFG announce strategic alliance focused on cereals

Melbourne, Australia, 4th November, 2009: Hexima Limited (HXL) and the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics announced today a strategic alliance to explore opportunities to research and develop advanced technologies for the improvement of cereal crops, such as wheat and barley, for the Australian domestic and export markets. Opportunities would draw upon Hexima and ACPFG’s respectiv... read more…

TetraQ and Q-Pharm expanding into lucrative Japanese pharmaceutical market

Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26 October 2009 – Two of Australia’s leading contract research organisations, TetraQ and Q-Pharm Pty Ltd, have announced a collaboration with Japanese clinical trial organisation, MORE Medical, in a step to promote Queensland’s high quality drug development capabilities, particularly in preclinical drug development and early phase clinical trials. TetraQ, the... read more…

Cure for an ailing system

Article from The Australian October 24 2009 - David Penington We need to make a bold decision to depart from the failed prescriptions of the health establishmentPUBLIC concern about Australia's hospitals mounted in the lead-up to the 2007 federal election following the disasters at Queensland's Bundaberg hospital and growing evidence of mistakes in the care of patients across the country. Kevi... read more…

ASX Announcement: Genetic Technologies Ltd. agreement with Rosetta Genomics Inc.

Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Rosetta Genomics Inc. Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX: GTG; NASDAQ: GENE) is pleased to advise that it has executed an Exclusive Test and Services Agreement with Rosetta Genomics Inc. (“Rosetta”), under which the Company will become the exclusive distributor in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for Rosetta’s microRNA-based assays. Rosetta, whose he... read more…

Commercialisation Australia announced

Today, Minister Kim Carr announced the establishment of Commercialisation Australia. see www.innovation.gov.au?CommercialisationAustralia read more…

Australian Medical Science and its Commercialisation

Dr Kerry Hegarty, Sienna Cancer Diagnostics. With today’s exciting news that the Nobel Prize for Medicine has been presented to the discoverers of telomerase (the enzyme responsible for the maintenance of the ends of chromosomes), global focus is recast on Sienna Cancer Diagnostics.Sienna, based in Melbourne’s Bio21 Institute, has a growing team of scientistsdedicated exclusively to the task o... read more…

Senator Carr addresses BioMelbourne Network CEO luncheon

The Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr addressed members of the BioMelbourne Network at Ernst and Young in Melbourne on Tuesday 29th September. For a copy of Senator Carr's speech go to http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Carr/Pages/BioMelbourneNetwork.aspx read more…

R & D Tax Incentive Consultation Open

Opinion 18 September 2009 ‘The new research and development tax incentive’ consultation paper, released today – Opinion provided by Alun Needham, Executive Director, Research and Development, Ernst & Young. Treasurer Wayne Swan and Innovation Minister Kim Carr released ‘The new research and development tax incentive’ consultation paper on Friday 18 ... read more…

TetraQ Appoints K. Dyszynski to Nth America BD Position

Dean Simonsen - TetraQ. Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 09 September 2009 – TetraQ, the commercial arm of The University of Queensland’s Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development (CIPDD), has appointed Kris Dyszynski to the position of Business Development, North America. As one of Australia’s leading preclinical contract research organisations (CRO’s), TetraQ (a registered business of U... read more…

Duty to Research Does Not Amount to a Duty to Invent

Mark Roberts - Davies Collison Cave. The Australian Full Federal Court has upheld the first instance decision of Justice French in University of Western Australia v Gray 9[2009] FCAFC 116 (3 September 2009)). This complex case resulted from the claim by the University of Western Australia (UWA) that it had proprietary rights in relation to three families of patents invented wholly or in part b... read more…

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