Adult stem cell specialist Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has received ethics approval to commence its first human orthopaedic trial.

Melbourne-based Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has signed a process development and manufacturing agreement with US life sciences company Cambrex Corporation (NYSE:CMB) for the large scale production of Mesoblast's adult stem cells.

The Bio21 Molecular Medicine Informatics Model (Bio21:MMIM) is one of nine projects to share $19.4 million in recent funding from the Australian government under the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative (SII).

Dental scientist Prof Eric Reynolds has won the $50,000 Victoria Prize.

Melbourne-based stem cell specialist Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has entered into agreements with Colorado State University to perform preclinical dose-escalation trials of its universal donor adult stem cell technology for the treatment of long bone fractures, and a new indication, intervertebral spinal fusion.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved a clinical trial of a new immunotherapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis C infection, developed by VacTX, a joint venture between EqiTX (ASX:EQX) and the CRC for Vaccine Technology

Psiron (ASX:PSX) has presented a research paper at the International Meeting on Molecular Biology of Picornaviruses showing anticancer activity of a new strain of its lead product (CVA21) against a wider range of colorectal cancer cells.

Norwood Immunology (AIM:NIM) commenced trading yesterday on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM), with shares closing at 40.5 pence (AUD$1.046), a premium to their issue price of 38 pence.

Norwood Abbey Ltd [ASX:NAL NASDAQ:NABYF] is close to snatching victory from the jaws of a hostile London investment market, announcing today that its subsidiary Norwood Immunology will list next Wednesday on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), selling 15 million shares and raising AUD$15 million.

Almost exactly a year after the federal government named the National Stem Cell Centre (NSCC) as Australia's biotechnology centre of excellence, the first round of funding has been distributed to researchers at six institutions across Australia.

Researchers working with Melbourne medical technology company Norwood Abbey (ASX: NAL) will present results from their trials on the company's promising immune-boosting therapy in leukaemia and lymphoma patients at next month's meeting of the American Society of Haematology (ASH) in Washington, DC.