Brian McNamee has been at the helm of Australia's oldest - and now biggest - life-sciences company, CSL, for 15 years. He guided the company through its public listing in 1994 and has overseen its growth to a market capitalisation of $6.8 billion. He spoke with Melissa Trudinger about CSL's research and development programs, and his vision for the company's future.

Some of Australia's most eminent researchers have warned that Australia must get creative to stay on top in the increasingly competitive global stem cell research and business landscape.

Melissa Trudinger looks at the issues that are set to arise as debate begins again on stem cell research in Australia.

Advocates and opponents of stem cell research across Australia are gearing up for the reignition of the debate that polarised Australia's state and federal governments in 2002.

The South Australian branch of the AusBiotech Student Association (ABSA) was launched last night in Adelaide.

Norwood Abbey (ASX:NAL) has raised AUD$5.8 million (US$4.5 million) through a placement to three US institutional investors. The company may also receive a further $6 million in additional equity investment from the same investors within the next six months.

The Australian prime minister, John Howard, has dropped plans for a 12-month extension to the current restriction on creating new embryonic stem cell lines, which is due to expire on April 5, after being rebuffed by state premiers.

Australia's on-the-fence approach to large-scale sequencing and genomics projects has left it until recently on the fringes of the field, according to a leading US-based genomics researcher.

Perth-based functional proteomics company Phylogica has closed its IPO after raising $5 million through the sale of 25 million shares at $0.20.

Australian biotech venture capitalists GBS Venture Partners has invested in US-based therapeutic antibody company KaloBios Pharmaceuticals as part of a US$20 million series B financing round.