Editorial, news and Bioshares

Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 7 Number 4, July/August 1997, pp. 194-215 Editorial, news, Bioshares and meetings Code Number: AU97027 Size of Files: Text: 85.4K Graphics: No associated graphics files 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