Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 9 Number 3, July/August 1999, pp. 126-150, 170-179
Editorial, News/Company News, Bio Shares,
Issues, Meeting Reports, ABA Branch News, Books and Meetings.
Code Number:AU99009
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hazards and Outrage
With the increasing realization about the importance
of the need for public awareness and information about gene
technology, it is pertinent to look at what underpins "risk
communication", for essentially this is what talking about a new
technology involves. In understanding how people perceive and
respond to risks, it is then easier to know how to address a
communication program. This was topic of a conference on "Public
Perception of Biotechnology" held at the Agricultural Research
Institute in the USA in the late 80s and it is still highly
relevant now.
NEWS
Only a Zero Capital Gains Tax Rating for Overseas Investors will
Attract Venture Capital to Australia, Deloitte Survey Shows
The Federal Government will need to go "all or
nothing" in reducing the Capital Gains Tax rate for overseas
investors to zero if they are serious about attracting US and UK
venture capital to Australia, a new Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
survey, Venture Capital in Australia, August 1999,
indicates.
New Safety Measures for Genetically Modified
Products
A stringent new system to control all commercial
releases of genetically modified products in Australia was recently
announced by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Dr Michael
Wooldridge.
Get out of Genetic Food Stocks: Deutsche
Europe's biggest bank has advised the world's largest
investor to sell their shares in leading companies involved in the
development of genetically modified organisms because consumers do
not want to buy their products.
Government Releases Biotechnology Discussion
Paper
The Chairman of the Commonwealth Biotechnology
Ministerial Council, and Minister for Industry, Science and
Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, launched on 2nd September a
biotechnology discussion paper aimed at increasing public awareness
and understanding of biotechnology.
New Opportunities for Cooperative Research
Senator Nick Minchin, Minister for Industry, Science
and Resources, today called for industry and researchers to develop
new proposals for government funded research. The Minister intends
to make a formal call for applications for a new round of funding
for Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs) in November 1999, with the
closing date for applications expected to be 5 July 2000.
Benefits of Biotechnology Highlighted by
Agriculture Ministers at 6th August meeting
The opportunities and challenges of biotechnology and
its impact on Australian agriculture were highlighted at a meeting
of the Agricultural and Resource Management Council of Australia
and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) in Sydney.
Fifty Years at the John Curtin School of Medical
Research
Professor Frank Fenner celebrated the 50th
anniversary of his appointment as the founding Professor of
Microbiology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, in the
Australian National University in August.
BioTechnica 99, Hanover, Germany
From 5-7 October, 32 Australian biotechnology
companies and research bodies will be showcasing their capabilities
in biotechnology at BioTechnica '99, one of the world's leading
biotechnology trade fairs, in Hanover, Germany.
Local Virus behind Newcastle Disease Outbreaks
Major outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in
Australia over the last two years were due to a change in a
home-grown, milder strain, and not from an incursion from overseas.
Gene Technology Briefing for Queensland
Parliamentarians
Gene technology will make a key contribution to a
healthier, wealthier and more sustainable Australia in the 21st
century, members of the Queensland Parliament were told recently.
Probiotics Research Group at Food Science
Australia to Close Down
Research into probiotic bacteria and applications of
probiotics in foods, yoghurts and beverages is being closed by
management of Food Science Australia. This will result in the loss
of up to eight staff . It is believed that over 20 staff will lose
jobs in Food Science Australia in coming months. Food Science
Australia is a joint venture of CSIRO and the Victorian
Government's Afisc, set up some two years ago.
Australian Scientist Wins Prestigious Medal for
World-class Breakthrough
Dr Tony Weiss this month will receive the prestigious
Amersham Pharmacia Biotechnology Medal for his internationally
recognised work on human elastin.
David Campbell Begins Independent Consultancies
Following a career spanning over twenty years in
corporate agribusiness, David Campbell has established two new
independent consulting businesses to progress interests in the
areas of technology development and transfer, strategy development
and implementation, and capability and skills development. He will
operate these businesses as "Leading Dog Consulting"
providing leading edge strategic management solutions, and
"Agribusiness @
Work" providing an integrated approach to improving
the sustainability and competitiveness of agribusiness. He will
team with other leading edge professionals in Australia and
elsewhere, when necessary, to provide such services with even
greater customer value.
AgBio Forum
The third issue of AgBio Forum is now on-line at
http://www.abgioforum.missouri.
edu/The evolving role of private investment in public research
universities is discussed, along with its implications for the
future of the Land Grant university system.
Biotech Boom Blooms in Germany, According to New
Edition of the European Biotechnology Directory
The newly published 1999 edition of the European
Biotechnology Directory reveals the fastest growth in the European
biotech sector is coming from Germany.
Feldbaum Criticizes Celebrity Science at
National Press Club
At a National Press Club Morning Newsmaker's briefing
last week, BIO President Carl Feldbaum chided celebrities, such as
Prince Charles, for committing a public disservice by speaking out
against science despite knowing little or nothing about it.
New Biotechnology Investment Company
A new joint venture biotechnology investment company,
Biotron, has been formed to finance the development of a portfolio
of biotechnology products arising from a new `platform technology'
which has resulted from the world of Professor Peter Gage and
members of the membrane Biology Program at the ANU's John Curtin
School of Medical Research.
Australian Wheat Venture
Biowest Australia, Perth, Australia and AgDirect
Australia, a company owned by two West Australian farmers, have
formed Grain Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd (GBA). Stewart Washer,
spokesman for Biowest, is confident that other investors will join
the venture.
First Clinical Trials Underway at New Research
Unit
The first clinical trials are now getting underway at
the new world-class medicines research unit at The Prince of Wales
Hospital in Sydney.
Healthier Animals with Natural Immune Boosters
A CSIRO Animal Health team has developed a method to
deliver natural proteins, cytokines, into animals, in combination
with better vaccines. Cytokines are proteins produced by the body's
own defence mechanisms to help fight disease.
Gene Research "not on hold"
CSIRO is moving ahead with the development of better
strains of wheat, barley and other crops using modern genetic
technologies, the Chief of CSIRO Plant Industry, Dr Jim Peacock
said on 3rd September.
Fossil Cholesterol Dates our Ancestors Back
Nearly 2.7 Billion Years
Rocks from the remote Pilbara region of northwestern
Australia contain chemical traces of our most distant ancestors
that are nearly one billion years older than previously known.
COMPANY NEWS
Funding from Venture Capital Companies to Develop New
Anti-clotting Drugs to Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke
Thrombogenix Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company,
has obtained its second round of investment from Macquarie
Technology Funds Management, Momentum Funds Management and the
Australian Technology Group Limited (ATG). These funds will enable
it to further develop a promising new class of anti-clotting drugs.
Biota Announces US Food and Drug Administration
Approval for Relenza® for the Treatment of Influenza
Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA) announced recently
that Glaxo Wellcome has received regulatory approval from the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Relenza®
(zanamivir for inhalation) for the treatment of influenza A and B.
Biota Releases Preliminary Final Results -
Announces Intent to Expand Presence in Global Viral Respiratory
Disease Market
Biota Holdings Limited has lodged its results for the
year ended 30 June 1999.
The company reported total revenues of $3.07 million, compared
to $1.77 million for the previous year.
Biota Announces Zanamivir Filed For Regulatory
Approval in Japan
Biota Holdings Limited advises that Glaxo Wellcome
K.K. (Japan) has announced that it had filed with the Japanese
Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) on 2 August 1999, for approval
to import the inhaled anti-viral drug, zanamivir, for the treatment
of influenza A and B.
Roche Molecular Systems Inc. Names Three Vice
Presidents
Martin D Madaus, Joanne P Spadoro and David B Thomas
have been named vice presidents of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
The announcement was made by Kathy Ordonez, President of the
biotechnology company.
Faulding Builds Natural Business
F H Faulding & Co Limited (Faulding) recently
announced that is Faulding Healthcare business unit has acquired
the business interests of the Brisbane-based health supplement
company Queensland Biochemics Pty Ltd, which trades as Golden Glow
Natural Health Products (Golden Glow).
Glaxo Wellcome - New analysis shows flu drug can
speed recovery from symptoms by three days
The combined results of six international clinical
trials show the new Australian-developed anti-influenza medication
called Relenza (zanamivir) can speed-up recovery from the symptoms
of influenza by three days in many sufferers.
New Advances in ANU Anti-Cancer Drug Research
New hope for cancer patients has emerged with the
isolation and cloning of an enzyme that is responsible for the
growth and spread of solid tumours. Scientists at the ANU's John
Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) have become one of two
international research groups who have successfully cloned the
enzyme, called `heparanase'.
Progen's anti-cancer drug trial receives second
site approval from Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute (subject to
final administrative filings)
Progen Industries Limited (ASX Code: PGL; Nasdaq
Code: PGLAF), recently received provisional approval from the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Institute's Ethics Committee to commence testing
its anti-cancer drug, PI-88, at the Institute under the umbrella of
Centre for Developmental Cancer Therapeutics.
Breakthrough Drug Delivery Technology by
Australian Researchers
A new device is launched for a simple and effective way
of taking medication
Researchers at the Victorian College of Pharmacy Monash
University announced on 27 August groundbreaking drug delivery
technology that is destined to become common both in Australia and
internationally.
Receiver Appointed for Insolvent Hyal after
Secured Creditor Demands Repayment of Debt
Toronto - The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers has been
appointed receiver of insolvent Hyal Pharmaceutical Corp. after the
company acknowledged it was unable to repay $750,000 of debt plus
interest and costs, for which it has recently received a demand
notice from SkyePharma plc. The move follows the filing of a
petition by SkyePharma, a secured creditor of the corporation.
Non Genetically Modified Foods: Protein
Technologies International Offers a Choice
With genetic modification hitting the headlines and
consumer concern escalating, many manufacturers are considering
their options when it comes to ingredient suppliers. Protein
Technologies International (PTI), manufacturers of Supro® soy
protein, is the only company in Australia currently able to offer
manufacturers a choice when it comes to non-genetically modified
(non-GM) isolated soy protein.
Administrators Appointed for ForBio
On 18 August national chartered accountancy firm,
Ferrier Hodgson, was appointed as Administrator to the
Brisbane-based biotechnology company, ForBio Limited.
Bioventures Australia
The management of Start-up Australia has been
committed to early stage investment for over 5 years and recognises
that a specialist fund is required to fill the gap of funding at
theseed stage. This type of funding is critical to creating
start-up companies and creating value from technological advances,
particularly in the life sciences. Start-up Australia has joined
forces with US based Research Corporation Technologies to create
BioVentures Australia.
Research Corporation Technologies
RCT is a highly successful technology investor
headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. It owns, or is an investor in, a
large number of well known biotechnology and pharmaceutical
technologies. During 1998, it had project revenues of US$76.2
million. RCT provides a combination of science, business and legal
expertise to assess a technology's potential and the work needed to
increase its value. The company has extensive international links
with the large pharmaceutical companies to facilitate sale or
licensing of the technology.
Biodiscovery Ltd
Biodiscovery Ltd's shareholdings have been the
subject of scrutiny by an Australian Financial Review writer
(Fri 13 August 1999; pages 59,92).
Biodiscovery Ltd is a small Sydney-based biotechnology company
with two major projects - a diabetes vaccine being developed in
conjunction with the John Curtin School of Medical Research in
Canberra. The second is an agreement with Rhone-Poulenc to develop
products from CSIRO's insect library. It has a number of other
strategic research partnerships with leading Australian research
groups.
BIO SHARES
Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks - compiled by M.J.
Playne
ISSUES
The Public Debate on Biotechnology
One of the most interesting things to come out of the
genetic modified food (GMO) debate is the polarisation of the
public. In the beginning there were a small number of anti-GMO
interest groups pushing their view, often very actively, although
with little apparent effect. On the other side were the scientists
and industries, often quietly moving along (although there are
exceptions) and developing the new technology. In between is the
general public, often with interest in biotechnology, but with
little access to information.
Letter To the Editor
MEETING REPORTS
Herbal Medicine into the New Millennium
Dr G David Lin, email: dlin@scu.edu.au School
of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University,
PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480
The "Herbal Medicine into the New Millennium" - an
international forum on the science, regulation, production and
clinical application of medicinal plants - was successfully hosted
by the Southern Cross University (SCU) in Lismore from 16 to 18
June, 1999. Twenty-seven national and international speakers
including Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhoh Mathidol
(Thailand), Professor Varro Tyler (USA), Professor Robert Henry
(Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, SCU) and Professor Peter
Waterman (Centre for Phytochemistry, SCU), presented 27 plenary
lectures to around 300 participants.
De Bono Institute
New Thinking in Biotech Forums organised by the De
Bono Institute were held in:
Sydney - Friday 28th May 1999
Brisbane - Tuesday 1st June 1999
Melbourne - Monday 7 June 1999
"What Would It Take To Develop A Biotech Industry Which Is
Able To Enjoy Key Community Support?"
Their Executive Summary of the findings follows :
Executive Summary
The `Biotech New Thinking Forums' are the first
in a trilogy of `New Thinking Forums' hosted by the de Bono
Institute, focusing on separate emerging high growth industries.
Attended by a total of 298 biotechnology industry stakeholders and
interested parties, the three forums collectively generated 1725
comments, ideas and concepts, captured using the de Bono `Six
Thinking Hats' process.
ABA BRANCH NEWS
Canberra Region
The last meeting of the Canberra region group was held on 28
July in conjunction with the Licensing Executives Society
(Australia New Zealand). Over 45 people attended to hear Dr David
Irving, of Biotech Australia Pty Ltd speak about lessons from
commercialising biotechnology in Australia.
BOOKS
Directory and Database Released
Hallmark Editions, the publisher of R&D
Review, has released the third edition of The Australian
Research and Development Directory.
The Directory is a valuable reference to research and
development policy at Federal and State levels, providing details
of funding programs, research agencies and science policy advisory
bodies. It also provides the most comprehensive guide to public
sector research organisation, including university research
centres, Cooperative Research Centres, Major National Research
Facilities, collaborative research organisations and independent
research institutes.
Rich's California Bio-Science Directory
The California Bio-Science Guide covers bio-science
in all of California, from San Francisco to San Diego. The
directory includes pharmaceutical firms, bio-medical manufacturers,
research and development and medical device manufacturers.
Phytochemical Dictionary
edited by Jeffrey B. Harborne FRS, Herbert Baxter and
Gerard P. Moss
The purpose of this dictionary is to provide basic information,
including structural formulae, on the most widely encountered plant
constituents, with emphasis on those which are biologically
active.
MEETINGS
ABA OFFICE BEARERS
Copyright 1999 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
