Australasian Biotechnology,
Volume 7 Number 4, July/August 1997, pp. 194-215
Editorial, news, Bioshares and meetings
Code Number: AU97027
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
ABA charting a fresh course
The ABA is undergoing change. At this stage the change has yet to bear
fruit because it is still at the planning stage, but change will occur.
While the Association has traditionally put most of its efforts into
catering for the scientific, academic and educational constituency through
the journal, scientific meetings and the web site, the representation of
industry has not been strong, mainly because to achieve such representation
requires a full time executive director. However, the Association has been
caught in a `Catch 22' situation because it has not had sufficient funds to
employ such a person. The ABA directors have recently taken steps to break
this deadlock by employing two groups of highly respected consultants to
prepare a strategic plan that will not only look at the possible roles for
the future, but chart a financial course that will allow the implementation
of the plan.
NEWS
SUCCESSFUL AUSTRALIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY EXHIBIT AT BIO '97, HOUSTON, JUNE
1997
Austrade San Francisco launched the Australian biotechnology industry's
first exhibit at Bio '97, the largest international biotechnology meeting
with more than 300 exhibitors and 3,200 attendees from over 30 countries.
Invitation to Australian Exhibitors for BIO '98, New York, 14-18 June
1998
The successful outcome for BIO `97 has confirmed plans for an enlarged
Australian Biotechnology pavilion at Bio '98 in New York City, 14-18 June.
CHIEF SCIENTIST'S REPORT ON MANAGEMENT AND POLICY OF NATIONAL R&D
A 79 page report by Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr John Stocker,
entitled "Priority Matters" was submitted to the Minister for Science and
Technology on 17 June. The aim of the report was to identify gaps and
overlaps in science and technology, and ways to identify national science
and technology priorities.
Cross-Portfolio Advisory Arrangements
The Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council (PMSEC) should take
a strategic overview of the key issues in Australian science and
technology, and should identify actions to address these issues.
Within - Portfolio Advice and Coordination
Each department with significant science and technology responsibilities
should establish a position of chief science adviser, or assign the duties
of such an adviser to an appropriate existing position in the department.
Defining National Priorities for Science and Technology
The Government should articulate a preferred vision for Australia's
development toward national goals in the spheres of economic and industry
development, quality of the environment, and social well-being.
Gaps and Overlaps
Overlaps in science and technology effort need to be recognised as a
necessary and desirable part of the science and technology system.
Duplication of effort is best addressed through communication among working
scientists, negotiation between researchers, funders and reviewers, and
improved coordination mechanisms within the across portfolios.
SITE REMEDIATION TO CLEAN-UP DDT AND ARSENIC
A world-first technology to remove both DDT and arsenic from
contaminated soil is in the final stages of development, Mr Charles
Laycock, Executive Chairman of the Victorian-based company, Geo2 Ltd
revealed recently. Mr Laycock said Geo2 was currently working with
the NSW Department of Agriculture on a project to investigate methods of
removing the two contaminants from soil at former cattle tick dip sites in
northern NSW.
BRITISH BIOTECH INITIATIVE
A revitalised Biotechnology Industry Association (BIA) in Britain has
linked up with the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with two
initiatives called: "Biotechnology Means Business" and "Awareness for
Market Potential Programme".
KUBOTA CORP. TO EVALUATE BIORESEARCH IRELAND'S BIONEMATICIDE
BioResearch Ireland, (BRI) has signed an evaluation agreement with the
Japanese agricultural giant, Kubota Corporation. The deal allows Kubota to
evaluate a process developed by BRI for biologically controlling potato
cyst nematodes which are one of the major pests of potatoes worldwide.
1998 AUSTRALIA PRIZE
The next Australia Prize will be awarded for excellence in the field of
Molecular Genetics. The Australia Prize, which was instituted by the
Federal Government in 1989, consists of an award of $A300,000 and an
inscribed medal. It is awarded each year in a different field of science
(including natural and technological sciences, engineering and
mathematics).
CRC FOR AQUACULTURE - RESEARCH PROGRAMS UPDATE
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Aquaculture has just reached the
end of its third year of operation. Its six research programs, which cover
health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, environment and product
technology, are aimed at providing the technological basis for a
sustainable aquaculture industry. Sustainable, because it is
internationally competitive and environmentally acceptable, and maintains
high health standards. In addition, the first four of the twenty three PhD
students so far supported by the CRC have completed their theses.
HUMAN ARTIFICIAL CHROMOSOMES - A STEP TOWARDS GENE THERAPY
A research team headed by Professor Andy Choo, of the Murdoch Institute for
Research into Birth Defects in Melbourne, has defined the key ingredient
for an artificial human chromosome.
INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD GRANTS ANNOUNCED
$43m in Second Round R&D START Large Grants Announced
The Industry Research and Development Board recently announced 16
successful recipients under the second round of the R&D Start Large Grants
program. Sixteen projects have been offered a total of $43 million. Four of
these are relevant to biotechnology.
GeneType Pty Ltd
Genetype Haplotyping Project
Starpharma Limited
Development of Novel Dendrimer Compounds as Pharmaceuticals
Cervax Pty Ltd
Cervical Cancer Therapeutic
BresaGen Ltd
Novel Biotherapeutic for Breast Cancer Treatment
AMERICANS SAY YES! TO FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGY, CURRENT FDA LABELING POLICY
A new national survey of 1,004 U.S. adults released in March 1997 found
high awareness of food biotechnology, strong support for its benefits, and
endorsement for the current labeling requirements of the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
CSIRO BOOST FOR CHEMICAL AND DRUG INDUSTRY
CSIRO has formed a new Division, Molecular Science, to meet the needs of
the $20 billion chemicals and plastics industry and the $2.5 billion
pharmaceutical industry.
NEW MICROBIAL DATABASES ON ANGIS
Some genome sequences are now available for searching as separate
databases on ANGIS
VICTORIA UNVEILS PLAN TO CAPITALISE ON THE `SMART' STATE
The Premier, Mr Kennett released on 31 July the Victorian Government's plan
to ensure the State remains at the forefront of science, engineering and
technology as we enter the 21st century.
Science, Engineering and Technology Task Force
COMPANY NEWS
ForBio Biologist Meets Watson & Crick
Dr Till Medinger Joins Peptech's Board
Gist-brocades/Bio-Intermediair Inc.
Bresagen Raises $A4 Million and Strong Backing from Rothschild
THE ROTHSCHILD BIOSCIENCE UNIT
Established in 1981, the Rothschild Bioscience Unit ("RBU") is one of the
world's largest teams of investment advisers dedicated to bioscience. The
RBU has a successful record of advising on investment in start-up and
BIOTA EXTENDS DIABETES AGREEMENT
Biota Holdings Limited (Australian Stock Exchange, BTA) announced that it
will extend its diabetes agreement with the CSIRO for work in developing an
orally active treatment for diabetes from three to four years.
CORTECS PLC CREATED AND TO BE LISTED ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
Since the listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange in June 1994,
Cortecs International Limited ("CIL") has become an important UK based
biopharmaceutical company.
PEPTECH ANNOUNCES A PRIVATE PLACEMENT
The directors are pleased to announce the completion of a private placement
at a significant premium over market rates (over 30%) to Leadenhall
Australia Limited.
ABS GLOBAL - ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION FOR COWS?
On August 7th, ABS Global Inc., which is an American artificial
insemination firm, announced new proprietary technology which had resulted
in a healthy six month old bull calf named 'Gene'. The company also
announced the formation of Infigen Inc. to commercialise applications of
cattle cloning technologies in the fields of pharmaceuticals,
nutriceuticals and xenotransplantation.
CONFERENCE NEWS
The 14th Australasian Biotechnology Conference, Adelaide, April 19 - 23,
1997
Food and Health for the 21st Century
BIO SHARES
Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks
ASIAN NEWS
NEWS FROM MALAYSIA
New and Improved Diagnostic Kits for Infectious Diseases
W.H.O. Continues Drive to Develop Better Vaccines
NEWS FROM INDONESIA
Indonesian Biotechnology Conference 1997
IAMA World Congress VII, Jakarta 1997
ABA NEWS
The key issue currently being addressed by the ABA Board of Directors is
the question of `What sort of organisation do we want the ABA to be'? While
not wishing to reduce the ABA's academic and educational activities, the
Director's feel there is a need to enhance the ABA's role as a voice for
the biotechnology industry. To this end, the Directors decided at the Board
meeting of 23 May to seek the services of a consultant to help create a
business development plan.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
An old view of medical biotechnology is that it is about using gene
engineering to make therapeutic proteins in foreign cells efficiently and
economically. Although this is an important part of the subject, the
portfolio of papers we have assembled for this Special Feature show that
this is far from whole story. DNA and RNA therapetics are also valuable in
medicine, and deliberate gene engineering is now combined with random
screening techniques in powerful ways during drug discovery programs. A
whole field of biotechnology, in which macromolecule structures are
analysed in silico has emerged in its own right.
Copyright 1997 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
