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Volume 8 Number 1, January/February 1998, pp. 1-13 FROM THE EDITORS
Code Number:AU98001
Not Another Monica and Bill StoryIn the issue of Who magazine with "All the President's Women" on the cover, there is a bizarre story about Dr Richard Seed, would be cloner of humans. We are told that eight years ago Dr Richard Seed, a stooped scientist with a dodgy sciatic nerve and a penchant for seersucker suits, was in the mortgage business. He's not a good businessman, but a great inventor. He can probably make anything including, Seed would have us believe, human beings. Though he has no medical degree, no lab, and no money, the physicist turned geneticist, and self-described "near genius" claims that within eighteen months he will have a woman two months pregnant with a clone. Who quotes Seed as claiming "God intended man to become one with God. Cloning is the first step to becoming one with God." President Bill Clinton, noted for his ability to draw fine ethical distinctions, brands Seed's plans as "untested, unsafe and morally unacceptable." This light-hearted exposure of Seed as an obvious loony-tune does much more good than harm. Who's tongue in cheek, almost subliminal satire is highly readable and free of any trace of intellectual arrogance. It gets the message over to the reader decidedly better than scores of earnest academics explaining why Seed's latest business exploits are a load of flim flam. It seems, however, the Australian media were largely taken in, and were given to giving Seed a degree of credibility he doesn't deserve. I had to search as far as the British broad-sheet Observer to find a news article on this issue that was in close touch with reality, and which called the Seed-scenario correctly as a nonsensical distraction. It does seem to me a great shame that the mainstream Australian broad-sheet newspaper press are still generally weak at addressing biotechnology policy or ethics issues such as this. Elsewhere I have come across a generous sprinkling of insightful and informative items on this topic. For example, the ever reliable British Economist magazine recently ran a strong editorial item running a cogent argument against xenotransplantation, based on well considered concerns about risks of cross-infection. In contrast, the Melbourne Age recently concentrated on "exposing" the involvement of companies such as Monsanto, Zeneca, Du Pont and Novartis in the seed and food biotechnology businesses, but failed to develop any solid discussion of why these developments bode mixed economic tidings for Australia. Perhaps it was because the Age lifted a lot of their copy from the British Guardian paper, and did not devote any substantial local journalistic resources to investigating Australian implications. Too little, too late, and with money on the wrong horse? Given this, it was heartening to see the Australian Financial Review get right to the point (Biotechnology beckons us to a second chance, February 6, 1998). The FinReview noted that some forty years after the founding of Silicon Valley, a Federal Government has finally elevated the information technology industries to a central position in our national thinking. But - and it is a big but - according to Dr Nick Birrell, CEO of County Investment Management, biotechnology deserves special attention as a general purpose technology in the same way as IT. "Australia is now very heavily pushing IT where maybe it is too late," Birrell said in an interview. "Biotechnology is going to be absolutely transformational and it is an area where we still have rather more scope." My point is, that instead of just groaning about alleged societal dangers of transnational companies - who are now in a strong competitive position in both medical and agricultural biotechnologies because of massive, financially risky, and timely investment in new technology - we should do something about our own competitiveness. More of our media should focus on the matters raised by the FinReview. That is, they should address exactly what Australia should be doing to become and remain competitive in these key areas of national interest. And I'd really like to see that in our mainstream newspapers. If we don't focus on these issues, in the early years of the next century, we will indeed become a Banana Republic. For further comments by County Investment Management see Nick Birrell's impressive report The Biotechnology Revolution: a Unique Opportunity for Australia via the Internet at http://www.county.com.au/biotech.htm David Tribe, Editor A Bleat from the Bench The business management of research has become a discipline of its own, with its own conferences, its own government reports and reviews. Gone are the days when a CSIRO Chief or the Professorial Head of a University Department could just decide that a certain area of research was worthy of more investigations, and almost unilaterally decide to put funds into the area. Such decisions were made on the basis of the judgement of a leading scientist. As we all know, such decisions were not all wise and commercial outcomes did not often occur. Now, 20 years on, has the new style of management, which pervades scientific endeavour through most western countries at least , really improved the score? Commercial outcomes are still rare, and often our best ideas still go offshore to be commercialised. Have we really improved much over the last 20 years? As a bench scientist, I do notice the increasing amounts of scarce resources that are being spent on "managing" research - assessing proposals for new projects, devising ever more complex grant application forms, evaluating research outcomes and the uptake of research by industry. The money for this research management, of course is a direct diversion of resources from the experimental scientist at the bench. Less good research gets done. It is claimed that there is an increasing demand for accountability of research dollars, and a need to improve the effectiveness of translation of research into products. But how much has the business of research management to show for its efforts? Can it justify the resources it is using? Is it ever asked to justify itself? There seems to be a lack of understanding by many research business managers of the real process of research, and particularly of the need to nurture and protect a creative scientific environment. Without creativity, we have nothing. The research leader of a research team has to create and maintain an environment conducive to creative research, to good team work and team spirit, and to an atmosphere and enthusiasm which result in staff wanting to work back, come in the middle of the night to take samples, work weekends - without thought of direct monetary compensation. It is a delicate balance to achieve, and it is not helped at all by heavy-handed business management of research. We do need to re-think our approach to management of research nationally. "Is the hassle worth the candle?" Infrastructure for Research - Culture Collections The Australian Collection of Microorganisms at the University of Queensland is in real trouble. Towards the end of 1997, funding for staff ran out and two staff left, leaving only 1.5 people to curate Australia's main collection of bacterial cultures. This has meant that thousands of cultures held in the Collection will not be able to be maintained. As a rule of thumb, you need one qualified microbiologist per 1,200 individual strains held - this is the international benchmark, typical of collections like the ATCC in America, DSMZ in Germany and BCCM in Belgium. The Queensland collection numbers 5000 strains. Culture collections require top staff, good databases, meticulous record-keeping, and high purity standards. When we are talking of the Queensland collection, we are talking of one of international importance, which holds unique cultures and provides a service to the whole of Australia - industry and academia. It is a living museum of a great economic and scientific value to this country. It is most important that we, in the biotechnology community, get right behind the lobbying activities that will be occurring during 1998 to try and rectify this shocking situation. Dr Lindsay Sly, Curator of this Collection, will be publishing an article in Microbiology Australia this year describing the situation in detail and the role of culture collections. The full text of the article is available on the Internet at http://www.biosci.uq.edu.au/micro/l indsay.htm Martin Playne, Editor NEWS$100 Million of New R&D Announced to Support Medical, Manufacturing, IT and Multi-Media Industries The Industry R&D Board announced on December 5 that it will provide funding of up to almost $45 million towards 19 major R&D projects, under Round Three of the R&D Start Program. With the matching contribution from the grant recipients this will mean more than $100 million in new R&D expenditure. Each of the 19 companies to be funded has been awarded a grant for a R&D project of more than $2 million. The R&D being supported includes major import replacement and export opportunities in radar defence, medical equipment including implantable cardiac devices, biomaterials, information technology, manufacturing and multi-media. The 19 successful projects obtaining the Board's approval for funding were rated most highly by the IR&D Board, in a competitive process, against the merit criteria of the Program. Details of two biotechnology-related projects are attached. The Acting Chairman of the IR&D Board, Dr Terry Cutler, said he was pleased with the high quality of applications received for this latest round of the R&D Start large grants. "I was particularly pleased with the breadth of technologies covered by the successful applicants, the high level of innovation involved, as well as the diversity of successful applicants, which ranged from start up SMEs through to larger resource companies," Dr Cutler said. "I wish the successful Round Three applicants well in their endeavours to succeed in developing commercial products from innovative technology. Such innovation is fundamental to Australia's long-term well-being, our status as an exporter in global markets and our ability to provide a secure future." "The successful projects have significant potential in the view of the Board, and if successful, will deliver substantial national benefits, particularly in advancing our international competitiveness in the biological, information technology, manufacturing and resources sectors," he said. The R&D Start Program is designed to foster R&D and related commercialisation activities within small to medium-sized enterprises. It aims to increase the number of private sector R&D projects with high commercial potential and to boost commercialisation of R&D outcomes. The fourth round for applications for R&D Start Large Grants is now open. Applications close on 28 January 1998. Further information can be obtained from the AusIndustry Hotline number on 13 28 46. ForBio Research Ltd $A1,574 Automation of DNA Preparation for Genetic Analysis The project will develop instrumentation for automated DNA extraction. Processes will ensure preparation of high quality DNA from a variety of plant and animal sources including human tissue. For plant DNA two models will be developed; a high throughput more versatile system, and a lower throughput system for use in small labs. A third model will be for use by clinical diagnostic and research labs. Contact: Professor Bob Teasdale, Director, (07) 3870 5888. GroPep Pty Ltd Clinical development of milk-derived growth promoting agents for the treatment of chronic wounds The project is planned to develop synthetic wound dressings (SWD) into which are incorporated a bioactive mixture of growth factors isolated from milk. These "bioactive SWD's" will be used to treat chronic wounds with the initial emphasis on venous ulcers. Contact: Mr G Moss-Smith, Business Development Manager, (08) 8232 4155. IR&D Board Contacts: Dr Terry Cutler
Mobile 0412 175 715 Dr Andreas Dubs
Dr Leanna Read
Mr Su-Ming Wong
Dr John Bell
Edinburgh BioParks launched by Moredun and the Roslin Institute Edinburgh BioParks is pleased to announce that it has taken over from Charles Kingdon & Associates in assisting with commercialisation work at the Roslin Institute (Edinburgh) and Moredun. A key objective for Edinburgh BioParks is to attract collaborative research programmes and potential clients to the Moredun Research Institute and Roslin Institute, and attract commercial opportunities to their associated spin-out companies. Collaborative research programmes are offered in the areas of vaccine R&D, disease challenge models, transgenics, nuclear transfer, immunological systems and animal welfare. The associated commercial companies offer contract research and clinical studies for the veterinary and pharmaceutical industries, vaccine/antibody production to GMP, flexible film isolation technology, specialist feed production and farm animal genotyping. Edinburgh BioParks also offers access to R&D and commercial facilities at the Pentlands Science Park and Roslin Biotechnology Centre where the research institutes and 10 companies are located. Food Science Australia Opens for Business Food Science Australia, the joint venture between the CSIRO Division
of Food Science and Technology and Afisc (Australian Food Industry Science
Food Science Australia is a national facility providing complete, integrated research technical, training and commercial product and process development services to the food industry. The new Chief Executive of Food Science Australia, Dr Michael Eyles, was formerly Chief of the CSIRO Division of Food Science and Technology. Food Science Australia will take over management of all of the functions of Afisc and the CSIRO Division of Food Science and Technology. The new organisation employs more than 320 highly skilled staff in laboratories in Victoria (in the Werribee agricultural precinct and in Highett in Melbourne), New South Wales (North Ryde in Sydney), and Queensland (Cannon Hill in Brisbane). Food Science Australia is jointly owned by CSIRO and the Victorian government, and its management reports to an independent board which includes senior food industry executives. Mr John Claringbould, Chairman of the Board of Food Science Australia, said that the combined physical and human resources of the new organisation make it one of the largest and most advanced food research and development facilities in the world. "Food Science Australia has the critical mass and the capabilities to provide the Australian food industry with the high-quality research, development and support services it needs to compete globally," Mr Claringbould said. BIO Publishes 1997-1998 Editors' and Reporters' Guide and Citizens` Guide Bio has recently released its 1997-1998 Editors' and Reporters' Guide to Biotechnology. This Apex '96 award-winning publication is an excellent "fact book" covering all sectors of the industry. New in this year's guide is an expanded section on bioethics, updated health care and agricultural biotech product lists, industrial biotech enzyme products lists, a listing of BIO publications and an industry resource list. Also, this year BIO introduced its 1997-1998 Citizens' Guide to Biotechnology. It is a great resource to help educate the public about biotechnology's potential and how it can benefit society. Both guides are on BIO's web site, www.bio.org, under the "What's new" section. For a free copy of either guide, please contact Megan Matthews at BIO. COMPANY NEWSPhase 1 Clinical Trial of AM424 Under Way AMRAD commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial of AM424, a potential treatment for motor neurone disease (MND) and peripheral neuropathies (disorders of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord), in mid-October 1997. The trial is being conducted in the United Kingdom. Its objective is to investigate the safety of, and tolerance to, the compound and the way the body handles AM424 when it is administered as a single dose to healthy volunteers. Studies in animal models have shown AM424 to be safe, and data from this clinical trial will enable future clinical trials of AM424 to be conducted for the treatment of specific diseases. A potential application of AM424 is for the treatment of MND, an illness which is characterised by a gradual and relentless death of motor neurones (neurodegeneration) and muscle wasting, and for which there is no known cure. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are up to 80,000 patients with MND, and around 10,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. The world market for therapies for MND and related neurological indications is estimated to be US$500 million. AM424 is the pharmaceutical form of the growth factor known as human leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and is owned and patented by AMRAD. LIF was discovered at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, one of AMRAD's member institutes. Peptech Announces Major Board Changes The Board of Peptech Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Directors, Dr Michael Cohen and Dr Tom Quirk. They join Peptech at an important stage of its development and bring to the company extensive experience in the successful commercialisation of biotechnology products. The appointments will strengthen the company as it moves into a phase of securing the collaboration of major partners to advance research programs and further development of Ovuplant®, a veterinary product which is expected to achieve registration in the United States of America in the next few months. Ovuplant® is already registered in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina and has achieved strong sales in these countries. Access to the huge US market will result in significantly higher sales revenue from Ovuplant®. The appointments of Dr Cohen and Dr Quirk are effective from January 1, 1998. Dr Cohen will replace Mr Tony Bates as Chairman of Peptech and Mr Bates will remain on the Board as a Director. Dr Cohen is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and Chairman of Scientific Services Limited, a publicly listed company with which he has been actively involved since it capital raising in 1987. Scientific Services now operates in South East Asia, North Asia and Africa and is capitalised at $60 million with annual revenues of $80 million. Dr Cohen was a Director of Biotech International Limited from 1994 to 1997. Dr Quirk is a Director of Biota Holdings Limited and has been a key figure in developing the strategies that have underpinned the formation and growth of that company. He is also Chairman of Virax Holdings, an immunotherapy based biotechnology company, and Victorian Rail Track Corporation. He is a Director of the Victorian Power Exchange and the Victorian Energy Networks Corp. Amersham and Pharmacia Merge In August 1997, Amersham International plc and Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc merged their respective Life Science and Biotech divisions to form the world's largest biotechnology supply company, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. Amersham Australia Pty Limited will, from 1st January 1998, take over full responsibility for all aspects of the management, distribution and support for the Pharmacia range of products currently distributed by AMRAD Biotech. Amersham Australia is working closely with AMRAD Biotech to transfer the business efficiently with the minimum of disruption to you, our valued customer. All personnel in the Amersham Pharmacia Biotech division are dedicated and determined to make the transition as smooth as is possible. Amersham Pharmacia realise that during the hand over period there may be some uncertainty about the new organisation or how and where to place your orders. To help you through this changeover period Amersham Pharmacia have made available a "Hot Line" which you can use if you would like to discuss any aspect of the Amersham Pharmacia Biotech business. For all inquiries regarding these changes please call: 1800 22 2216. Trace Scientific - Herbos Joint Venture Trace Scientific Ltd (Melbourne, Australia) and Herbos d.d. (Zagreb, Croatia) have agreed to enter into a joint equity venture to manufacture, market and distribute diagnostic products. According to Tony Bigum, Managing Director of Trace Scientific Ltd, the joint venture company Herbos Dijagnostika, will be based in Sisak Croatia, and as such, is ideally situated to service the demands of diagnostic laboratories throughout Eastern Europe. Trace Scientific, founded in 1983 by Tony Bigum and Denis Houlden, is a leading diagnostic manufacturing company. Since its inception, the company has built up a great deal of expertise in the development, manufacture and distribution of clinical chemistry reagents. Trace has a well established global distribution network which includes a fully owned subsidiary in Miami (Trace America Inc), a successful joint venture company in the People's Republic of China, and distributors in over 30 countries. In addition to this Trace has established itself as a leading supplier to industry as an OEM basis. Tony Bigum is optimistic about the new joint venture and added that "With its latest single liquid stable reagent range, incorporating the firm's patented coenzyme stabilisation technology (DST), Trace will bring to the joint venture leading edge technology, providing the new company with a clear competitive advantage in Eastern Europe". Herbos was established in 1976 primarily to develop and manufacture liquid reagents for use in clinical chemistry laboratories in Eastern Europe. In 1988, the firm expanded its manufacturing facility to include the necessary infrastructure for the production of dry powder reagents. Currently, the company is supplying high quality diagnostic reagents to several Eastern European countries as well as to countries in the former Yugoslavia. Ms Jasna Majstorovic-Rezek, General Manager of Herbos and who will be heading up the new joint venture company has worked with Herbos Dijagnostika since 1978. In the ensuing years she has gained experience in QC, R&D and sales and more recently has had the role of Department Manager for Herbos. Herbos Dijagnostika is now looking to expand its distribution network throughout Eastern Europe, providing distributors with world leading reagents, a high standard of customer service and real time technical support. The company will also be seeking OEM opportunities throughout the region. Rothschild Bioscience Ready to Invest in Australian Companies Following the IR&D Board's offer to Rothschild Bioscience Managers Limited (RBML) of an Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) licence, Rothschild is currently finalising the structure of the Australian Bioscience Trust with a view to investing early next year in a number of start-up and early-stage Australian bioscience companies. The RBU is currently evaluating 10 companies in the areas of agriculture, biopharmaceuticals, animal health, bioinformatics and environmental management. Terms are being finalised with an established company in the plant science sector with a view to investment in the first quarter of next year. This company has just released its first product on the market in Australia and Japan and anticipates launching in the major European market next year. Final negotiations are also underway with a view to seed investment in two start-up companies working respectively on drug discovery based on an understanding of the genetic basis of disease (genomics) and in bioinformatics (information technology for organisations involved in biological research). The IIF licence is a key part of the Federal Government's strategy to develop a viable venture capital industry in Australia to invest in start-up and early-stage companies with innovative technology. "One of the most successful ways other nations commercialise technology is with an active early-stage venture capital industry. Australia desperately needs to add commercial value to its innovative research and the IIF Program is a timely initiative by the Government," said Dr Geoff Brooke, who heads the Australian arm of the RBU. "We are currently negotiating terms of investment with several early-stage bioscience companies and have a number more in various stages of due diligence. We are anxious to begin investing." RBML is a member of the Rothschild Bioscience Unit (RBU), one of the world' largest teams of investment advisers dedicated to bioscience. The RBU has a successful record of advising on investment in start-up and early-stage bioscience companies worldwide and currently has over US$500 million under management through two UK-listed investment companies, Biotechnology Investments Limited and International Biotechnology Trust. The multi-disciplinary team comprises 20 professionals operating from offices in London, Melbourne, Princeton and Vancouver. "We are delighted to have been selected by the IR&D Board to participate in this innovative programme, which we believe will allow us to capitalise on the RBU's long experience and global approach to investment in this sector," said Mr Jeremy Cook, who heads up the Rothschild Bioscience Unit. ForBio Strengthens Coffee Ties in Line with International Expansion ForBio International Inc and Integrated Coffee Technologies Inc have finalised arrangements for 50:50 joint ownership of American Tropical Plants Inc (ATP), an Hawaiian company which now holds the licensed technology which leads to the production of caffeine controlled and uniform ripening coffee, cocoa and tea. ForBio Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bill Henderson said the new venture provides ForBio with more flexibility in terms of production and application of its biotechnology expertise. Dr Henderson said genetically modified, caffeine controlled coffee beans would provide a higher quality product without the difficult and expensive decaffeination processes currently being used, thus changing the face of the multi-million dollar coffee industry. Dr Henderson said the company's interests in ATP also reinforced ForBio's expanding international presence and diversification of plantation products. "Our focus is on the development of ForBio as an efficient international producer of genetically elite plants," Dr Henderson said. Groundbreaking Joint Venture Between Green Triangle and ForBio Limited The Australian potato industry is set to boom with the multi-million dollar expansion of the potato seed industry commencing in South Australia. Green Triangle Growers Australia has aligned itself with ForBio Limited to establish Green Triangle Pty Ltd. The new company, which will continue to trade as Southern Choice Pty Ltd, will be a significant new commercial grower of potato minitubers employing the most advanced biotech and robotic technologies. ForBio Limited, based in Brisbane, is already the world's largest, independent forest biotechnology company with the largest installed capacity to produce plants by tissue culture and a growing international network of horticultural and agricultural interests. It continues to expand its proven technologies in the specialised market for potato production using the ForBio Plants production facility at Gosford, NSW. Green Triangle Growers Australia Pty Ltd possesses the combined expertise of long established farming, business marketing and transport logistics people who have been practising integrated production and marketing methods to deliver quality potatoes to the Australian and Asian consumer. Through quality management methods, Southern Choice will bring new standards to the Australian potato seed industry, standardising generational materials to ensure true to type disease free minitubers. Production areas will then be chosen to multiply this high quality material, maintain the disease free status of the seed development units and finally, deliver to seed buyers the product the industry requires. Dr Henderson said ForBio Limited and ForBio America, its mini-tuber production facility in the USA, were spearheading research into the development and propagation of genetically improved, pathogen-free potato varieties. "The application of ForBio technologies to the Australian potato seed industry will lead to substantial increases in yield per hectare," Dr Henderson said. "ForBio's advanced robotics and tissue culture protocols will be used to mass produce selected seed stocks more rapidly than is possible using traditional methods, while maintaining exceptional quality." Anti-Cancer Drug Program Enters New Stage Biotechnology firm Biota Holdings Limited announced on 19 January 1998 a significant development in its quest to produce a new anti-cancer drug for the international market. Chief Executive Officer of Biota, Dr Hugh Niall, announced the company will enter the next stage in the development of a potent new series of anti-cancer compounds it licensed from LaTrobe University in April 1997. Biota has agreed to extend its support of the chemistry research group at the University, led by Dr Les Deady, for a further 12 months. The goals for the next year will be to select the most active and promising drug candidate to take forward into clinical development, to strengthen the patent position and to identify a backup to the lead compound. The University will also provide a scaled up chemical synthesis of selected compounds for animal studies. "To this stage the program has exceeded all expectations, with progress over last year being particularly encouraging," Dr Niall said. "Biota is excited by the prospect of this program leading to the development of an anti-cancer drug to fight against colon cancer and other solid tumours such as cancers of the lung and stomach." The unique compounds are mixed topoisomerase inhibitors that inhibit both topoisomerase one and two - enzymes involved in the replication of cancer cells. "Alone, each of these enzymes is an important target for a number of currently marketed anti-cancer drugs," Dr Niall said. "Inhibitors of both enzymes are expected to offer even greater benefits as anti-cancer drugs, with less likelihood of resistance." Dr Niall said testing of one example of the original series for tumour regression in colon 38 cancer in mice produced results which were comparable to, or better than, several currently marketed anti-cancer drugs. "Recent work on the project has generated new compounds which are at least 100 times more potent against cancer cells than the best of the compounds originally licensed," he said. "We are now proceeding to additional animal studies with the most recent compounds to identify a lead for further development including Phase I studies in patients. This is a significant step, particularly considering the very small number of programs that proceed to this stage." Dr Niall said that Biota views the project as providing a unique opportunity in an area where there is urgent medical need. "Our ability to enter a more advanced stage in this program reflects our commitment to maintaining and developing a balanced portfolio of pharmaceutical product candidates in the areas of respiratory virus diseases and cancer," he said. "While Biota has received a tremendous level of success with our anti-flu drug and flu diagnostic, which are now completing clinical development in the Northern Hemisphere, 2 years ago we made a strategic decision to pursue the development of an anti-cancer drug through the licensing of advanced programs." In the first half of 1997 Biota signed the agreement with LaTrobe University and, separately, an Option Agreement with Japanese companies Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd and Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd, which had a joint development program on anti-cancer compounds. Dr Niall said that given the rapid development and strong results of the LaTrobe project, Biota had decided not to continue with the Japanese program, which had not produced sufficiently active compounds. Consequently, Biota will not exercise its option to acquire these compounds. "We are excited to be able to take this Australian project to another level and believe our shareholders can be confident Biota has taken another important step towards placing itself at the forefront of pharmaceutical development not only in Australia, but in the world market," he concluded. Biota and BioStar Begin North American Clinical Trials of Influenza Diagnostic Biota Holdings Limited (Australian Stock Exchange:BTA) announced on 13 January 1998 that with its development partner, BioStar Inc., it has commenced North American clinical trials of its influenza diagnostic, being conducted at several locations in the United States. The North American trial is designed to assess the performance of Biota's new 15-minute diagnostic for both influenza A and influenza B using several patient specimen types. Biota expects its new revolutionary diagnostic to be submitted for regulatory clearance in the US in the second quarter of 1998. Utilising BioStar's proprietary Optical Immunoassay (OIA®) technology, the test will allow the practitioner to collect a patient specimen and detect both types of influenza within 15 minutes. The test also has the potential to provide rapid diagnosis of unusual flu variants, such as the recent avian virus found in Hong Kong. Currently available influenza diagnostics detect only influenza A or require hours or days to provide results. Biota maintains worldwide marketing rights of the product, with the exception of the US, and is currently reviewing additional marketing alliances for sale of the product in those areas. BioStar will utilise its 90 person direct marketing force for sale of the product in the United States. Biota and BioStar estimate that there are more than 350 million cases of influenza around the world each year. The lack of accurate and timely diagnosis of influenza is estimated to be the leading cause of influenza complications, such as pneumonia, especially in the elderly. People with immunocomp-romised systems (such as cancer patients) are also at high risk of developing complications from influenza. In the US, influenza and its complications represent the sixth leading cause of death. "We are pleased with the timely and progressive joint development of this simple and rapid influenza diagnostic and the planned dedication of BioStar's sales force," said Dr Hugh Niall, Chief Executive Officer of Biota. "It moves us one step closer to our goal which is that our new diagnostic will be used in conjunction with a broadly effective anti-influenza drug when this becomes available." Biota's new influenza therapeutic zanamivir (RelenzaTM) is in advanced development in collaboration with partner Glaxo Wellcome. "The influenza diagnostic will allow physicians to be effective in the appropriate management of influenza, and to distinguish it from influenza like illness," stated Teresa Ayers, President and CEO of BioStar Inc. "The rapid joint development programme between BioStar and Biota has allowed us to conduct clinical trials of the diagnostic this winter in the Northern Hemisphere." RelenzaTM , the first effective treatment for all strains of influenza, is currently in Phase III clinical trials in the Northern Hemisphere, after having completed Phase III clinical trials in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season. RelenzaTM is being developed by Biota in partnership with Glaxo Wellcome and filing for regulatory clearance worldwide is expected in the second half of 1998. Biopartnering Biopartnering deals are important milestones in the development of biotechnology companies. It is vital that companies negotiating these deals are full appraised of all the issues which they need to cover in their contract, and the various structures which can be applied. The crucial points are financial (upfront and milestone payments, research costs and royalties), control of the various stages, supply of product and liability, intellectual property and rights of termination. There are many other points which will also need to be dealt with in a contract. Negotiation of biopartnering deals can be difficult. If the personnel involved in the negotiation have some training in negotiation techniques, they will be more likely to negotiate for a sustainable alliance and use the negotiation as a relationship building exercise. This will assist in securing the long term success of the project. One of the sessions in the business stream of the Australian biotechnology conference in Adelaide is designed to provide a practical overview of negotiating biopartnering deals including discussion of the business aims and benefits, key contractual issues and negotiation techniques. A case study will be used to illustrate these factors. The session will include presentations by specialist biotech lawyers from Minter Ellison and representatives from the industry. Further information can be obtained from Mitzi Gilligan at Minter Ellison in Melbourne on 03 9229 2000 or email on: mmlg@minters.com.au LETTER TO THE EDITORDear Editor, Gene Shears has an extensive existing patent portfolio, as well as a number of patents under US and/or PCT application. The purpose of this letter is to highlight the strength of Gene Shears' proprietary position and to reinforce the depth of the Company and its potential growth opportunities. This is provided for your information and is part of the regular mailing series established by Gene Shears. Gene Shears has granted patents and pending patent applications covering two main types of ribozyme, namely, the hammerhead and hairpin ribozymes. Both are being exploited in contemporary research and application development programs around the world. These applications have been filed in the US and a range of PCT countries, including important regions such as Europe, Japan and developed countries. Table 1 provides a summary of the current number of Gene Shears' granted patents. The numbers correlate to significant technologies under ownership by the Company. Table 1.
Background Information All patent applications have two elements, ie, a description of the invention and the corresponding claims, which break the invention down into a series of other elements. Essentially, a patent must be able to teach someone else how to use the invention. All of the claims made in the patent application must satisfy set criteria including novelty, obviousness and support or enablement. Following the filing of a patent application, the first step in the prosecution of a patent is the initial examination procedure. Once an examiner is satisfied that both elements (ie. Description and claims) of the patent application are complete, a patent is issued). Upon lodgement of a patent application in a particular country, a one-year time period commences during which additional foreign applications can be made, including the PCT application (see below). This is called the Convention Year. During this time period, it is also possible to file a Convention Year application with the European Patent Office, a regional office United States Europe Other Countries Published which grants a European patent. This European patent forms the basis for obtaining a national patent in most European countries. PCT Application During the Convention Year, an application is routinely filed with a receiving office of a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This is known as a PCT International application. The PCT reduces the costs associated with filing by enabling companies to submit one application with the PCT receiving office and nominating additional countries where the Company wants to obtain patent protection. The PCT receiving office conducts the patentability search and examines the application on its merits. One key advantage of filing a PCT application is to delay the foreign filing costs. The PCT application delays the cost of filing in other counties or regions (ie. Europe) for between 30 and 31 months. The derivative patent applications are further examined in each of the nominated countries to determine whether a patent should be granted. The term of a granted patent is generally twenty years from the earliest filing date of the application. In many jurisdictions, including Europe and Japan, it is possible for third parties to oppose the validity of a granted patent. In certain cases this procedure can result in amendment of the granted patent claims of revocation of the patient. The ongoing filing of new patent applications and the protection of existing patents are lengthy and costly processes. Gene Shears continually applies for patents on inventions developed by its research and development program. Gene Shears is committed to aggressively defending its patent portfolio in the event of competitor opposition. The management time invested, combined with significant financial investment in US patent attorneys, strongly positions Gene Shears for the next century. If you would like further information about Gene Shears' patent status, or other information about the Company, please do not hesitate to contact me on (02) 9878 8200. Kind regards,
BIO SHARESCovering Australian Biotechnology Stocks - compiled by M.J. Playne The July 1997 issue of Shares magazine contained an article discussing many of the shares listed below, and provides a useful background to these companies.
Warning - This table is a guide only to stock movements. Persons should not use this information as the sole basis for business and financial decisions. Advice from financial advisors should be sought. Suggestions from readers on how to improve information on Australian biotechnology stocks is welcome. Please send your ideas to Martin Playne at the ABA or telephone (03) 9252 6485 (b/h). ASIAN NEWSContributed by Tikki Pang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia A considerable amount of excitement is building up among the region's scientists over the establishment of a new network of life scientists, which aims to boost biomedical research and biotechnology in the Asia Pacific region. The network, to be known as the International Molecular Biology Network for Asia and the Pacific Rim (IMBN), is modeled on the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and has shown remarkable progress since its inception in the middle of 1997. In June 1997, a group of scientists from various institutions in the region met in Seoul Korea on the initiative of Professors Ken-Ichi Arai and Yeongbin Yim of Seoul University to consider the establishment of IMBN. An International Task Force was selected which met in November 1997 to launch the establishment phase of IMBN. Most importantly, the prospects of success for IMBN were given a considerable boost when strong political endorsement for the concept was given by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum at the meeting of its industrial science and technology working group in Singapore in October 1997. Although APEC's endorsement does not automatically mean financial support, it provides the network with political authority to obtain intergovernmental support within the region. The vision of IMBN is essentially to recognise, enhance and nurture excellence in molecular biology throughout the region. In the near term, it hopes to achieve this vision through an active programme of fellowships, workshops, training courses, and collaborative research grants. In the mid to long term, it hopes to establish IMBN laboratories in various institutions around the region and, ultimately, perhaps even its own institute modeled along the lines of the EMBL laboratories in Europe. It is envisaged that funding would come from institutions which have expressed support for IMBN, government funding as well as private sources. It is also of interest to note that the concept and vision of IMBN was embodied in previous efforts to establish AMBO (Asia Pacific Molecular Biology Organisation), an Australian initiative which was proposed in 1994 (see Aust. Biotechnol. 4, 266, 1994). IMBN is currently in the process of nominating and selecting for Membership based on excellence in molecular biology in the broadest sense ahead of the first IMBN Congress to be held in June, 1998 in Seoul. Prospective Members will have made major contributions either in scientific research or in professional leadership in broad aspects of molecular biology. The input of EMBO on the final membership list will be sought. For further information on IMBN, contact: Dr Gurinder Shahi, Executive Director and Secretariat Coordinator, IMBN Secretariat, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108, Japan (Fax: 81 3 5449 5424, email: gshahi@yahoo.com). Meeting Report - The Third Asia Pacific Symposium on Typhoid Fever and Other Salmonellosis Approximately 200 delegates from 27 countries attended the Third Asia Pacific Symposium on Typhoid Fever and Other Salmonellosis in Bali, Indonesia from December 8-10, 1997. Current issues and concerns in this important field were discussed in the context of recent advances in various aspects of research and how this could have a significant impact on future disease prevention and control. Special emphasis was placed on vaccination as an important means of disease prevention. In terms of global disease burden, typhoid continues to be a significant problem globally with an estimated 16.6 million cases and 600,000 deaths annually. In several hyper-endemic countries (eg. Pakistan and Indonesia) severe disease manifestations such as septic shock, intestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation and neuropsychiatric complications are still frequently seen with case fatality rates as high as 7%. The high cost of treatment emphasises the importance of immunisation strategies. Although two vaccines are now available, it is of great concern that the use of these vaccines in endemic areas has not been as extensive as it should be. Immunisation of schoolchildren should be a priority as this has been shown to be most effective. Since 1992, multiple antibiotic resistance among isolates of S. typhi has become an increasingly important and serious problem. Resistance to first line antibiotics is now widespread especially on the Indian subcontinent and in Vietnam. It was also reported that patients who had a history of prior antibiotic usage were more likely to develop typhoid fever caused by resistant S. typhi. With regard to the pathogenesis of typhoid fever, important molecular insights have been obtained and a need to define the role of host immune responses identified. Multiple genes are involved in pathogenesis of disease caused by the salmonellae and there is now a need to make the relevant correlations with human typhoid fever, perhaps by improving animal models for typhoid through gene knockout strategies. What is required is more collaboration between basic science units and clinical centres where typhoid patients are seen. Evidence for genetic diversity among strains of S. typhi, which may be related to genome plasticity, was also reported. This observation has important implications for virulence and for control strategies. The development of rapid, simple, cheap, sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for typhoid fever was identified as an important priority and several new developments were reported, including rapid IgM detection. There was a general mood of optimism that future research based on the advances described will lead to a better understanding of the role of host immune responses, better diagnostic tests, and more relevant pathogenesis studies. Much stimulus is expected on this front from on-going and planned genome sequencing projects for both S. typhimurium and S. typhi which would help to clarify gene induction and regulation and identify genes involved in disease causation. At the public health level, the most important future priority appears to be more widespread vaccine usage in endemic areas and the need to keep track of antibiotic resistance through surveillance efforts. The success and acceptance of the symposium format, a small meeting focusing on a specific disease entity, was indicated by the decision to hold future symposia at two, instead of three year intervals and changing the name to International Symposium on Typhoid Fever & Other Salmonellosis. The next symposium in Taiwan in 1999 is eagerly awaited. IPE-BTU Biotechnology News IPE-BTU Biotechnology News is a biotechnology newsletter from the Andhra
Pradesh-Netherlands (APNL) Biotechnology Programme and is published by
the Biotechnology Unit (BTU) of the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE)
of Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. The newsletter is published
quarterly and is produced with financial support from the Research &
Developing Countries Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands.
The newsletter aims at informing readers of the various activities undertaken
by the APNL Biotechnology Programme and also aims to disseminate information
on biotechnology obtained nationally and internationally. Contributions
to the newsletter especially in the fields of biosafety, biopiracy, To obtain copies of the Newsletter and for further information please contact: The Administrative Officer, Biotechnology Unit, Institute of Public Enterprise, Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad 500 007, India (Tel: 91 40 701 7018; Fax: 91 40 701 8148; email: ipe@hyd.ap.nic.in). Sixth Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and BioExpo 98 As a continuation of the highly successful biannual Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference series, the 6th Conference, together with BioExpo 98, will be held in Hong Kong from June 3-5 1998. Previous conferences were held in Singapore, USA, Taiwan, Australia and Korea with great success. The 6th Conference will focus on the theme of Biotechnology and the Quality of Life-Agriculture, Medicine, Environment, Public Issues and Opportunities. As with previous conferences, a strong participation from the biotechnology industry is expected through BioExpo 98. Prominent scientists who will feature as Keynote Speakers include Nam-Hai Chua, Francis Collins, Robert Gallo, Leroy Hood, Lap-Chee Tsui and Tak W. Mak. The conference will be held at the beautiful seaside campus of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HUST). The Second Announcement for the Conference is now available, and for further information contact: Secretariat, 6th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and BioExpo 98, Biotechnology Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (Tel: 852 2358 7272; Fax: 852 2358 1552; email: IN%"biotec98@usthk.ust.hk"; Internet web site: http://home.ust.hk/~biotec98). Third International Symposium - Asia Pacific Society of Bioscientists Follow up your trip to Hong Kong with participation at the Third International Symposium of the Asia Pacific Society of Bioscientists on the magical Indonesian Island of Bali. The Symposium is the third in the series with previous meetings held in Singapore (1994) and Hong Kong (1996) and is being organised by the Asia Pacific Society of Bioscientists and the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia. The scientific programme includes the following topics: infectious and parasitic diseases, drug development, signal transduction, molecular basis of human diseases, plant biotechnology, and developmental biology. For further information contact: Conference Secretariat, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jalan Diponegoro 69, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia (Tel: 62 21 3917131-3; Fax: 62 21 3147982; email: apsb98@eijkman.go.id). Victorian Fermentation Special Interest Group Postgraduate Young Speakers Competition The next function for the group will be a Postgraduate Young Speakers Competition to be held on Thursday, March 19, 1998 tentatively from 6.00 pm until 8.00 pm in Room D22 (Second Level) of Building 13 (the old "Emily McPherson" building at the corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets) at RMIT University. It is presumed that some attendees will dine informally in Carlton after the meeting. Further information: David Hughes (Tel: 03 9388 0655) or Felicity Roddick (Tel: 03 9660 2082). BOOK REVIEWSWider Application and Diffusion of Bioremediation Technologies, The Amsterdam `95 Workshop. OECD 1996 This book is the outcome of the OECD workshop of the same title held in November 1995. As a follow-up to the OECD Tokyo `94 Workshop, with its wide-ranging review of remediation and prevention technologies in all environmental media, the Amsterdam workshop was focussed on bioremediation of air/off-gas and soil, with particular emphasis on the issues of industrial application and diffusion. This reflected the rapid development of bioremediation from being simply an array of technologies to a burgeoning business. However, as made clear in this volume, there are problems associated with the wider application and diffusion of these technologies, the solutions largely depending on a better understanding of the underlying scientific principles and the economics of application. The book comprises an extensive summary of the discussions and the recommendations arising from the workshop, plus the technical papers arranged in sections. The first section, aptly entitled "Setting the Scene", provided a useful introduction to the background and scope of the workshop, and thus the book, which was aimed at bringing together the views of scientists, industrialists and administrators. The potential of environmental biotechnology, opportunities and constraints in the industrial application of environmental biotechnology, information transfer and the public context were outlined. In subsequent sections the potential of the industrial application of bioremediation of air/off-gas (biofiltration) and soil was further explored; these were supported by a number of case studies recording some of the successes, failures and pitfalls associated with the scale-up of the processes. Other sections included the perennial problem of communication with the public and government, and trends in R & D (GMOs, bioavailability, environmental monitoring and modelling of bioremediation processes); some of these issues were drawn together and further developed in the final section on standardisation and best practice. Although there have been many developments in and increasing application of bioremediation since the Amsterdam'95 Workshop, many of the issues raised in that forum have yet to be resolved. This book would be of use to students, teachers and bioremediation practitioners. Felicity Roddick Hairy Roots. Culture and Applications Editor: Pauline M. Doran Publisher: Harwood Academic Publishers,
Amsterdam. What can you say? A bit of an unnerving title for a book reviewer. However, for those of us involved in plant tissue culture, the subject of this title has been an exciting one since the observations in the early 1980's of the rapid growth of roots of several plant species transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The editor, Pauline Doran, who is a staff member at the University of NSW, has been an active researcher in the area since that time and has been in an excellent position to follow the development of hairy root culture. For this book, she has drawn together 53 authors, expert in their fields for the 21 chapters of this book. She has divided the volume into three parts:
The first chapter of the book by Jon Hamill and Angela Lidgett of Monash University is excellent. It gives a comprehensive overview of the molecular biology of hairy root formation, and contains useful detailed experimental protocols. It provides an impressive start to what is an impressive volume. Most other chapters are equally impressive. I enjoyed the practical and illustrative approach taken by most authors in their chapters. While the book contains quite an amount of experimental data, the data never becomes overwhelming. The book maintains an instructive approach, and would be essential for anyone starting research on plant tissue culture. The book concludes with quite a short index _ a useful feature as it is unusual to find an index in a multi-authored volume of this type. The editor and publishers are to be congratulated on producing a very well produced and attractively presented book. It is well illustrated with black and white line drawings and photographs and with a few colour photographs where necessary. This will become the classical work on hairy root cultures, and will be valued by all researchers into plant tissue cultures. Its readership will be researchers and their students. It has been a pleasant experience to review such a well put together volume. Martin Playne, Melbourne Fundamentals of Food Biotechnology Byong H. Lee VCH Publishers, Weinheim, Germany This book indeed matches its title - it gives a quite fundamental view of food biotechnology. There is a short introduction to biotechnology. This is followed by three chapters on the principles of biochemistry, microbiology and biochemical engineering. Each of these is around 50 pages in length and thus covers the basic principles of each discipline but little more. The disadvantage of this approach is that one gets a glimpse of the principles, but the ability for the reader to get a real understanding of each principle from this book alone is not allowed. The second part of the book is on the application of biotechnology to food products. The author covers yeast, bacteria, and other microorganism-based processes. I found this part of the book more satisfying. The third part of the book is concerned with other potential applications of the new technology. Chapters are plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, biosensors, waste management and food safety. These short chapters, although providing a brief but competent coverage in each area are also not very satisfying to the reader. They are just too brief. The author has attempted to cover a very wide area in quite a small book. I think he would have been wiser to expand Part 2 of his book, and to delete or minimise Parts 1 and 3. I am unclear as to his proposed readership. From his Preface, he aims for a classroom text, yet one is unsure of what level. I suggest that it would be a useful volume for first or second year university applied science students. However, I feel that his worthy attempt to integrate the principles with the application of food biotechnology has not quite succeeded. The book is well referenced, and has a good and comprehensive index. Martin Playne, Melbourne Encyclopaedia of Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine Editor: R.A. Meyers Volumes 4-6 Publisher: VCH Weinheim. ISBN 3-527
28478-8 set. 1996-1997 These three volumes complete this very well-produced and useful encyclopaedia. The earlier volumes were reviewed in Australasian Biotechnology 7 (3): 183-184. Each volume is of around 500 pages. Volume 6 contains a detailed index of 127 pages covering the contents of all six volumes. The index appears to have been thoroughly checked. These three volumes continue the attractive approach used for each article with the contents, keywords and summary at the start of each article. The articles are well-illustrated, including a limited number of colour figures. The articles are written by experts in their fields. However, considerable volume editing appears to have been done, as there is a remarkably good feeling of continuity from article to article, even though the individual articles are written by different authors. Volume 4 opens with two articles on mass spectrometry for DNA fragment sizing and for analysis of biomolecules. The articles give the reader a good idea of the volume and limitations of mass spectrometry for various applications. Other articles included medicinal chemistry, the molecular biology of methanogens and Archaea, motor neurone disease, the mouse genome, four articles on nucleic acids, molecular palaentology, PCR technology, five articles on peptides, and surprisingly, six articles on plants and photosynthesis. I say `surprisingly', because of the avowed aims of the encyclopaedia as outlined in the Preface. Volume 5 continues in the same vein with a similar diversity of topics - this volume of course containing a large number of articles on proteins and RNA. However, it also contains articles on prions and the renal system. The articles on proteins cover 136 pages. This illustrates the depth of information provided on this topic. Volume 6 contains an interesting set of articles on transgenics - transgenic animal modelling, transgenic animal patents, transgenic fish and transgenic livestock as bioreactors. Cumulatively, these articles give the reader a really good view of the state of the art on this subject. The volume also contains three useful articles centred on yeast genetics. As mentioned earlier, the volume contains the comprehensive cumulative index. I am impressed by the content of this 6 volume series, as well as by the handsome presentation. The editors have succeeded in producing an "encyclopaedia of molecular genetics and the molecular basis of life, with a focus on molecular medicine, including genetic screening, gene therapy, molecular medicine, structural biology, and the technology and findings of the Human Genome Project" (as stated in the Preface). Inevitably, in a work of this nature, from time to time, the reader will have difficulty finding information on a particular topic. The editors have had to be selective in their choice of topics covered. Bearing this in mind, this set of 6 volumes forms an up-to-date and informative source for medical libraries in particular, but also for all workers involved in medical research or in general molecular biological research. It would be useful to individual readers for their own library, but the price of the six volume set (of about $A2400) will limit such sales. Martin Playne, Melbourne MEETINGS19-23 April 1998, Adelaide, SA 14th Australasian Biotechnology Conference. Food and Health for the
21st Century
3-8 May 1998, Braunschweig, Germany GlycoBio Technology Symposium 1998
4-5 May 1998, Sydney, NSW Performance Measures for R&D
5-7 May 1998, Mumbai, India Bio Ind 98. 2nd International Trade Fair & Seminars on Bio Industries
9-14 May 1998, Lisbon Portugal 30th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Genetics
11-16 May 1998, Beijing, China 4th International Exhibition & Congress on Chemical Engineering
and Biotechnology
18-21 May 1998, Monterey, California, USA 1st International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant
Compounds
26-29 May 1998, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands VIIIth International Symposium on Luminescence Spectrometry in Biomedical
and Environmental Analysis
28-29 May 1998, Vienna, Austria European Federation of Biotechnology (Working Party on Safety in
Biotechnology) A strengthened Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention -
Potential Implications for Biotechnology
3-5 June 1998, Berlin, Germany The Fifth World Congress on Biosensors
3-5 June 1998, Hong Kong 6th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and Bio Expo'98 Second announcement listing keynote speakers, conference arrangements,
registration form is available from:
14-18 June 1998, New York, USA Bio 98 International Biotechnology Meeting & Exhibition
14-19 June 1998, Jerusalem, Israel IX International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Culture
22-27 June 1998, Belfast, Northern Ireland 4th ISEB Symposium Presented by the International Society for Environmental Biotechnology
28 June - 3 July 1998, Göteborg, Sweden 10th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC)
28 June - 3 July 1998, Jerusalem, Israel 8th International Symposium on the Genetics of Industrial
Microorganisms_GIM98
6-11 July 1998, Paris, France VIII International Congress of Toxicology
13-16 July 1998, Darwin, NT, Australia 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology Registration form and programme is available for this important conference
for agricultural biotechnologists from:
27-30 July 1998, Kyoto, Japan 1998 JAACT/ESACT Joint Meeting of the Japanese Association for Animal
Cell Technology and the European Society for Animal Cell Technology
3-7 August 1998, Nijmegen, The Netherlands European Bioethics Seminar - Healthcare Issues in Pluralistic Societies
15-20 August 1998, Budapest, Hungary International Congress on Photosynthesis
23-28 August 1998, Jerusalem, Israel 6th International Mycological Congress (IMC6)
11-13 September 1998, Milan, Italy Fourth European Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences
21-24 September 1998, Baltimore, MD, USA The Society for Biomolecular Screening: 4th Annual Conference &
Exhibition
21-27 September 1998 Aarhus, Denmark 25th International Dairy Congress and IDF Annual Sessions
18-23 October 1998, Sydney, NSW International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Conference
& General Assembly (Conference on Testing and Accreditation in association
with NATA)
18-22 October 1998, Jerusalem, Israel 5th IUBMB Conference on the Biochemistry of Health and Diseases
2-6 November 1998, Salvador, Brazil Cassava Biotechnology Network Fourth International Scientific Meeting
23-27 November 1998, Perth Western Australia Biodiversity, Biotechnology & Business - 2nd Asia Pacific Conference
on Biotechnology
(WA Branch, ABA is a co-sponsor for this Conference) 3-8 Sept 2000, Berlin, Germany Biotechnology 2000. 11th International Biotechnology Symposium and
Exhibition
Product NewsJOHN MORRIS SCIENTIFIC ML-6100 Fermentor Controller John Morris Scientific introduces the new highly expandable, adaptable ML-6100 Fermentor Controller from NBS. From benchtop to production systems, the ML-6100 represents a quantum leap forward in capability and convenience. Whether you're buying a new fermentor or bringing your current equipment up to date, you can extend your capabilities with: Matchless Flexibility _ the ML-6100 interfaces your fermentor to any process device, from simple direct sensors to complex multi-channel analysers. Additional control loops in minutes without additional hardware, software or cost. Effortless Operation - make changes in seconds on a full-size, full-colour touch screen that's easy to use and remarkably intuitive. Seamless Validatable Scale-Up - make your bench-scale system behave like a production unit by programming setpoints, multi-loop cascades and sterilisation heat up and cool-down protocols. Scale up from research through production without changing controllers - the ML-6100 handles it all. IR2: The New Formula for DNA Sequencing and Genetic Analysis John Morris Scientific introduces LI-COR's new high throughput, high accuracy IR2 System. This system brings high productivity to your lab through the power of two-dye, infrared technology while saving you time and money. Whether you're just starting to automate or running a genome project, there's an IR2 System to fit your needs. The system delivers over 100 kb of highly accurate sequence per day. You don't have to sacrifice read lengths or accuracy to sequence more samples. Read lengths over 1000 bases with 99% accuracy are routine. A new sequencing approach called Simultaneous Bi-directional Sequencing (SBS) saves you 50% on time and reagents. With SBS you sequence both directions on a template by combining forward and reverse primers in the same reaction. Twice the data from each reaction helps you complete your projects faster and more easily. IR2 Systems can run over 8500 genotypes per day, leading to faster gene discovery. High-sensitivity IR detection, advanced imaging and Gene ImagIR Software provide a powerful solution for fragment analysis applications. Researchers around the world have discovered the long reads and high accuracy of LI-COR infrared systems. You can too. Further information: John Morris Scientific Pty Ltd. (Tel: (02) 9417 8877; Fax: (02) 9417 8855; Email: jms@enternet.com.au). PRATT SAFETY SYSTEMS New Modular Safety Shower Range is Versatile and Cost Effective A totally new modular range of Pratt safety shower and eye/face wash units has been released throughout Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Internationally recognised as the world's most effective water based safety decontamination system, the Pratt range has long offered industry the benefits of superior safety features, high durability and compliance with internationally recognised safety standards. The new range has been designed in an exclusive modular format (patent pending), providing vastly more versatility in use and greatly enhanced cost effectiveness. The new modular design gives companies the option of being able to install a base model unit and then to add features such as an eyewash or foot pedal later as the need arises - a major cost saving. The modular design allows for fast, easy installation. Assembly takes only a few minutes and doesn't require any special skills. All units are fully supported with a comprehensive package including assembly, installation and maintenance instructions, technical data sheets and parts drawings. Maintenance is greatly simplified, with fewer spares required. Pratt modular units are supplied in a single standard, sturdy box, with less likelihood of damage during transport or storage. New Poisons Cabinet Protector Technologies, manufacturers of the Pratt range of specialist safety products, has released several new safety storage cabinet models to comply with the new standard AS/NZS4452:1997 covering storage and handling of toxic substances. The new models incorporate the advanced features of the Pratt flammables cabinets range, including continuous door hinges and three point latching for security and safety, and allow users to segregate poisons in the workplace in a brightly painted unit with the Toxic 6 class diamond prominently displayed. Protection in the event of a fire is also ensured, as many toxic substances are also flammable. Models range from 30 litre up to 250 litre capacity. Under the new standard, a cabinet or other approved storage facility is required if more than 10 litres of packaging group q toxic substances are kept, or more than 100 litres of PGII. Applications would include laboratories, and any area where herbicides or pesticides are stored. All Pratt products are available through an extensive distributor network in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Further information: Protector Technologies, Freecall 131 772 METTLER TOLEDO LIMITED The Right Electrode for the Right Application Correct pH determination requires the use of a suitable electrode. The portfolio of more than thirty Mettler Toledo InLab® Electrodes offers a choice of electrode for the proper measurement under different conditions in different samples. The form and construction of the electrode has been chosen according to its use. Puncture electrodes are available for fruit, cheese and meat samples; microelectrodes for samples of limited volume; and flat membrane electrodes allow the pH measurement on surfaces such as paper, foil or skin. Some types of electrode enable the measurement of protein or sulfide containing media, thanks to a special silver ion barrier. Movable sleeve frit electrodes are very convenient for low ionic strength and non-aqueous samples. Rugged polymer sensors are very reliable in the demanding environment of field measurements. Short response time at temperature changes (according to Equithal) is a feature all InLab® electrodes have in common. For temperature compensated pH measurements, electrodes with integrated Pt1000 or NTC temperature sensors are available. Furthermore, an individual quality certificate enclosed with each electrode enables the complete traceability of measuring results according to GLP or GMP. As well as electrodes, Mettler Toledo offers a wide range of consumables and accessories, such as electrolyte, calibration, cleaning solutions and literature on the basics of pH measurement. Further information: Diane Simonelli, Mettler Toledo (Tel: (03) 9646 4551). HEARNE GetARef for Windows GetARef is an exciting new program, developed in Sweden to produce a
bibliographic management system that combined three very important features
- a user-friendly interface, state of the art electronic referencing techniques
and Other important features of GetARef are listed below:
Further information: Hilary Johnston, Hearne Scientific Software
(Tel: (03) 9602 5088; Fax: (03) 9602 5050; Email: info@hearne.com.au).
ABA OFFICE BEARERSPRESIDENT: Dr Ian Nisbet (CSL Ltd)
VICE PRESIDENT: Vacant PAST PRESIDENT: Dr. John Smeaton (BresaGen Limited) DIRECTORS: Dr Anne Campbell (CRC Association)
Dr Edwina Cornish (Florigene Pty Ltd)
Mr Gary Cox (Wray & Associates) Prof. Joan Dawes (BioDiscovery Ltd) Dr Shirley Lanning (Rothschild Asset Mgmt)
Dr Peter Riddles (CSIRO Div of Tropical Agriculture) Dr John Smeaton (BresaGen Limited) Dr Lyndal Thorburn (Advance Consulting & Evaluation) >
Dr Elane Zelcer (Thrombogenix Pty Ltd) SECRETARY: Mrs Barbara Arnold TREASURER : Dr Craig Smith - CUB (Brewtech) ABA COMMITTEES : PUBLIC EDUCATION RESOURCES COMMITTEE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: Dr Robert Klupacs (AMRAD Operations)
GENETIC RELEASE: Dr Sue Meek (WA Dept of Commerce &
Trade) PUBLICATIONS: Dr Martin Playne (CSIRO) W.A. BRANCH CHAIRMAN: Dr Michael Borowitzka (Murdoch Uni) QLD BRANCH CHAIRMAN: Dr Peter Riddles (CSIRO Div of Tropical
Agriculture) CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ADELAIDE 1998: Copyright 1998 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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