They were set up to bring key Australian scientists back from overseas. But nearly two thirds of last year's crop of Australian Research Council (ARC) Federation Fellowships was awarded to scientists already living here.

State government policy has been vital in helping to shape the Australian biotechnology industry. Here, Cristy Burne takes us for a tour of Western Australia, the state that later this year will host the national biotech conference.

Cytopia (ASX:CYT) has sold its 22 per cent stake in unlisted Queensland biotech Xenome to Queensland Investment Corp (QIC) for more than AUD$3 million.