It hasn't been the best year on record for the Australian biotechnology industry but things should improve somewhat next year. Kate McDonald reports that the fragility of the sector is sure to be a topic of discussion at this year's AusBiotech conference.

Ruth Beran talks with Iatia boss Charles Laycock about the importance of being smart and flexible in designing a good biotech business model.

Optiscan (ASX: OIL) has received an order in excess of AUD$5 million from collaborator Pentax to supply miniaturised microscope components for a flexible endo-microscope, as the Japanese company gears up to launch the new product on the market in May.

A patent win for confocal-miscroscope company Optiscan (ASX:OIL) in Japan will increase the company’s licensing revenues for the benchtop applications of its technology in Japan by up to AUD$400,000, according to Optiscan.