Regular news from state and federal governments.
- BIF scheme grants of $2.4m to biotech companies
- Cancer drug given approval
- Dr Wooldridge under attack
- Funding announced for Major National Research Facilities
- GM crops set for domination
- National Heart Foundation changes guidelines on HRT
- NSW joins biotech race
- NSW provides support programs
BIF scheme grants of $2.4m to biotech companies
16 August 2001 – The Federal Government has offered 11 biotechnology companies grants totalling $2.4 million under the Biotechnology Innovation Fund, the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, announced today. The $40 million BIF provides support at the 'proof of concept' stage, assisting companies to get their product through to the first stage of commercialisation. Senator Minchin said he will announce further grants in a few weeks time, once all the 79 first-round applicants have been assessed. Among the successful applicants was Bionomics Ltd, who was offered $224,325 for a study into tumour suppressor genes. Other successful applicants include: BioLateral Pty Ltd, CenTec, Coridon Pty Ltd, Diapep Pty Ltd, Farmacule Pty Ltd, MediMolecular, Pestat Pty Ltd, Praxis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd, TGR Biosciences Pty Ltd, and Vaporex.
[Source: Government Announcement]
Cancer drug given approval
15 August 2001 – Following approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in May, the Therapeutic Goods Administration gave approval for the sale in Australia of Glivec, a new cancer drug, The Age has reported. Human trials for Glivec began less than three years ago, a much shorter time frame than the normal 10 years. Its speed onto the market is based on results showing 90 per cent remission of early stage chronic myeloid leukaemia and 60 per cent of patients with a rare stomach cancer. Glivec won't come cheap, however, costing patients $885 a week for the daily capsules. The drug's developer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, has applied for government subsidy under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
[Source: The Age – Mary-Anne Toy]
Dr Wooldridge under attack
23 August 2001 – Dr Wooldridge is under attack over his failure to act on the knowledge that Mr Geoff Honnor, the consumer representative on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority also works as a consultant to the peak pharmaceutical manufacturers' organisation. A spokesman for Dr Wooldridge dismissed the criticism, arguing that there was no breach of conflict of interest guidelines and that Mr Honnor intends to declare his interests at the next PBPA meeting. Earlier this year, several senior members of the PBPA stood down after it was revealed that they had a potential conflict of interest.
[Source: The Australian Financial Review – Chelsey Martin]
Funding announced for Major National Research Facilities
21 August 2001 – The Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin today announced the allocation of $155 million under the Commonwealth Government's Major National Research Facilities (MNRF) Program. The four successful biotechnology sector proposals for $47.25 million are the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, located at Macquarie University; the National Centre for Advanced Cell Engineering Facility, located at Monash University; the Australia Genome Research Facility, located at the University of Queensland; and the Australian Phenomics Facility, located at the Australian National University. In Victoria, $5.5 million has been granted to the National Centre for Advanced Cell Engineering which will conduct research on adult stem cells and supply academic and commercial research centres around the world with human stem cells. The Commonwealth Government will also provide $18 million to the National Neuroscience Facility which will be established by Neurosciences Victoria in Clayton and Parkville. The National Neuroscience Facility will conduct research that will form the basis for discovery and development of targets and lead molecules as potential therapies and/or pharmaceuticals to treat neurological and psychiatric diseases.
[Source: Government Announcement]
GM crops set for domination
13 August 2001 – A report by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Research Economics has predicted that world grain and oilseed markets will be dominated by genetically modified strains in the future, The Age has reported. It further said that Australia was falling behind its key trading rivals in these industries. GM crops are cheaper to produce than non-GM crops, but the costs of segregating the two are expected to significantly increase the price of non-GM goods. Given the advantages of growing GM crops, significant premiums for non-GM grains will have to evolve for them to remain competitive in the long term market, the report said.
[Source: The Age – John Rouw]
National Heart Foundation changes guidelines on HRT
14 August 2001 – The National Heart Foundation will today toughen its guidelines on hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal women, The Age has reported. While HRT will still be used to treat osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, the National Heart Foundation will advise doctors not to prescribe HRT to treat cardiovascular problems. The move follows a major American study which revealed that HRT does not help prevent cardiovascular disease.
[Source: The Age – Brett Foley]
NSW joins biotech race
15 August 2001 – The Premier of NSW, Mr Bob Carr, today unveiled BioFirst – NSW Biotechnology Strategy 2001, a five year, $220 million plan stop the scientific brain drain. Under the plan, the Commonwealth government will contribute $54 million, the NSW government $68 million and the private sector $100 million. The government will offer research grants totalling $18 million to 15 expatriate Australians to lure them back to NSW. It will also be looking to set up biotech hubs around the state. $20 million will be injected into research centres around the St Vincent's Hospital and $8 million to the Westmead Hospital.
[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]
NSW provides support programs
17 August 2001 – The NSW Minister for State Development, Mr Michael Egan, announced today a new $68 million biotech strategy. The biotech strategy involves the establishment of a biotech support pipeline by the Department of State and Regional Development. 'The DSRD support programs will help new companies progress from the point of proving their business concept to actual establishment and into the growth phase,' Mr Egan said. Funding at the proof of concept stage will be in conjunction with the Commonwealth Biotechnology Innovation Fund. Government assistance will include the establishment of systems and management structures and a business plan, and advice on intellectual property protection.
Four NSW-based companies, nominated for funding under the BIF last week, are now eligible for additional support from the biotech support pipeline. These are BioLateral, Vaporex, Diapep and CenTec.
[Source: Government Announcement]
