Australasian Biotechnology,
Volume 7 Number 5, September/October 1997, pp.258-282
Editorial and news
Code Number: AU97035
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
To start by way of explanation, the name and face associated with this
regular feature have changed as Graeme Woodrow has resigned as ABA
President. This is not through any desire to cease involvement with the
ABA, but rather because of his recent appointment as head of the
Genomics/Bioinformatics programme of the European agri-bio company AgrEvo.
Graeme has worked exceptionally hard for the ABA over the past several
years and has done an excellent job as President. We will miss his input
tremendously and only hope that he returns from his European stint in the
not-too-distant future to resume a role with the ABA. In the meantime, we
wish him every success in the new venture.
NEWS
BIORESEARCH IRELAND
(BRI) has developed a monoclonal antibody, BRI MAB Anti-MDR-3 [Clone 6/1G],
which can be used for the detection of certain cancer cells which are
resistant to anti-cancer drugs i.e. multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer
cells.
B.BRAUN BIOTECH
Mr Glen Costin has been promoted to the newly created position of B. Braun
Sales and Marketing Manager for Crown Scientific Pty Ltd Australia and New
Zealand.
START-UP AUSTRALIA
US BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY SEEKS DISTRIBUTOR
A biotechnology company that develops and manufactures antibody based
reagents and immunoassay kits for biomedical research and diagnostic
support is seeking an Australian distributor.
BIOTA
Study Findings on GG167 Published in the US
ZYMGEN'S LOW COST ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME SOD AND GRAIN-BASED ANTIOXIDANT
FOODS
Emerging biotechnology company, Zymgen International has successfully
developed a technique for producing a biologically improved form of the
antioxidant enzyme - Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in high concentrations at
low cost, making it more commercially viable for use as a dietary
supplement and in pharmaceutical applications.
GREYBACKED CANEGRUB - A BIOLOGICAL SOLUTION
Over 40 sugarcane farmers have agreed to test a new biological insecticide
for the greybacked cane grub, one of the worst pests of the Australian
sugarcane industry.
GENE SHEARS IN CUTTING EDGE ANTI-AIDS TRIAL
CSIRO's revolutionary "gene shears" technology has entered clinical trials
in adults as the first step in developing a potential treatment for the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes AIDS.
CHROMOS AND PHARMING FORM STRATEGIC TRANSGENICS ALLIANCE
Chromos Molecular Systems Inc. and Pharming Health Care Products announced
recently that they have formed an exclusive strategic alliance to apply
Chromos' artificial chromosome technology to the production of proteins in
the milk of transgenic animals.
EUROPABIO
The first European Bioindustry Congress "EuropaBio '97" took place in
Amsterdam in June with 500 participants attending. The next congress is
scheduled for Belgium in October 1998. The Amsterdam congress looked at the
progress of biotechnology in Europe and the difficulties facing food
biotechnology in Europe in relation to the use of genetic manipulation.
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Under the auspices of the Australian Science Festival (ASF) and in
conjunction with the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) and the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), National Science Week will run
next year from May 2-10.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
SEARCH
Search magazine, the official publication of the Australian and New
Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) is no longer
being supported by ANZAAS, following the closing of ANZAAS.
STRATEGIC REVIEW OF THE ABA
The ABA Directors are reviewing the vision, strategy and operations of the
Association to ensure that the needs of the biotechnology community
continue to be met. It is imperative that the ABA remains the peak
organisation and mouth piece for these industries in Australia. The
technologies and industry sectors have changed and matured since the ABA
was formed in 1985 and the demand for a stronger voice and a recognised
central agency for providing biotech information has increased
substantially.
COMPANY NEWS
AMRAD'S Novel Protein Expression System Receives US Patent
Novartis and Chiron Form Alliance for Combinatorial Chemistry
ForBio Heads into the Middle East
Biota
The Directors of Biota Holdings Limited ("the Company") recently announced
the details of a rights issue to raise $21.8M in new capital for the
Company.
Cortecs Plans First European Macritonin^TM Registration by End August
AGEN Announces 96/97 Year End Results
AGEN is dedicated to applying innovative biotechnology to products for
improved healthcare.
Highlights from the 1996/97 report
Prospects
Gene Shears Appoints Macquarie Bank to Raise Capital
Finance Director for Peptech
AMRAD to Develop Anaesthetic Compound
AMRAD on Target for 96/97
Financial Summary
Peptech Limited - Financial Summary
Key Points
Faulding's Preliminary Report to 30 June 1997
Key Points
CONFERENCE NEWS
The 14th Australasian Biotechnology Conference, Adelaide, April 19 - 23,
1997
Food and Health for the 21st Century
VICTORIAN FERMENTATION SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (VFSIG)
The Victorian Fermentation Special Interest Group (VFSIG) held their Annual
General Meeting at the Asti Restaurant on Swanston St. Melbourne on
Thursday the 25th of September. Special thanks to ICN Biomedicals for their
sponsorship of the event. The group's charter, committee nominations and
future VFSIG events were discussed.
"ETHANOL PRODUCTION: CURRENT THINKING"
Two brief seminars each to be followed by an informal discussion will be
given by leaders in ethanol production from both an academic and industrial
background.
BIO SHARES
Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks
ASX INTRODUCES NEW INDEX
The Australian Stock Exchange commenced a new Health Care and Biotechnology
sector index on 1 September 1997. The introduction of the new index will
enable investors to better monitor the performance of this emerging sector.
ASIAN NEWS
New Biotechnology Newsletter Launched
New Malaysian Bioresearch Company
A new Malaysian bioresearch company, TropBio Research Pty. Ltd., commenced
operations in Kuala Lumpur recently. TropBio is a joint venture with ForBio
Ltd., an Australian forest biotechnology company based in Brisbane.
National Biotechnology Seminar
Malaysia's Ninth National Biotechnology Seminar will be held at the Penang
Parkroyal Resort, Penang Island, Malaysia between November 23-26, 1997. The
theme for the Seminar is Positioning National R&D in Biotechnology for
Global Competitiveness and it will cover a wide range of fields in
molecular biology and biotechnology.
ABA NEWS
The most recent meeting of the ABA Board of Directors was held on Monday 29
September, which was also the date of the AGM.
Strategic review of ABA activities
Canadian delegation visit April 1998
Review of business programs by the Australian Government
14th Australian Biotech Conference
Director vacancy
Annual General Meeting 29 September 1997
BIOTECH AND BEYOND ... a new project for the Museum of Victoria
The Museum of Victoria will highlight current and emerging biotechnologies
as part of a major exhibition and educational package for release in the
year 2000.
MEETINGS
Details of meetings from 2 March 1998 - 9 July 1999
PRODUCT NEWS
TRACE
Single Liquid Stable Amylase Reagent Incorporating DST
Single Liquid Stable Ammonia Reagent Incorporating DST
Liquid Stable Automated HDL Reagent
HEARNE
Free Scientific Software Presentations
ATCC
Free Catalogue Listing ATCC Cultures Used in Quality Control and
Regulatory Compliance Testing
FISHER McDONALD
Fisher McDonald have been specialists in the provision of Scientific,
Technical and Professional staff to the Pharmaceutical, Chemical and
Biological industries for the last two and a half decades.
ABA OFFICE BEARERS
Copyright 1997 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.