News

NZBio Conference
2 April 2008

BELTAS™ participated in the well-attended NZBio conference this month. Bio companies from NZ, Australia and further afield gathered to hear sessions covering industry issues. BELTAS™ presented on early phase research in the region. More details at www.nzbio.org.nz/conference2008/files/home.asp.

Hospitals that participate in clinical trials may provide better patient care
24 March 2008

Hospitals that participate in clinical trials appear to provide better care for patients with heart attacks or other acute heart events and have lower death rates than hospitals that do not participate in clinical trials. Full article at www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/jaaj-htp032108.php.

ACRP Accredited GCP Course Auckland
3 March 2008

ACRP's internationally accredited GCP Course for Research Professionals will be run again in Auckland on 9 & 10 April. The course covers up-to-date ICH-GCP and has been localised for NZ regulatory, ethics and research site matters. More details at www.beltas.com/training_services.html.

New Ethics Form & Guidelines Consultation
12 February 2008

Submissions to the consultation on the Draft National Application Form for Ethical Approval of a Research Project (NAF-2008-v1) and Guidelines (NAFG-2008-v1) were called for recently and the results aim to be available April/May. For details see www.ethicscommittees.health.govt.nz.

"VCs poured $7.2 billion -- 28 percent of all venture capital invested last year -- into the fields of biotechnology and medical devices."

- Inc.com