Bulletin

Issue: June 2004

News

Success for Biotopya Entrepreneurs

Biotopya - a company formed by La Trobe University postgraduate biotechnology students - has won three of the five awards in the Young Achievement Australia (YAA) Victorian Biotechnology Entrepreneur Program.

Announcing the award winners, Victoria's Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, Mr John Brumby, declared Biotopya had won the Company of the Year, Best Business Plan and Best Annual Report segments of the competition.

Six teams from La Trobe, Monash and Melbourne universities, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Peter MacCallum Institute, participated in the competition. The Biotopya team, mentored by La Trobe Research & Development Park manager, Ms Sue Bell, and the Associate Dean (Commercialisation and Industry) of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, Dr Paul Pigram, comprised 26 current or recent postgraduate students from the Faculty.

The team developed two products - The Quickie and Dura-Stick labels. The Quickie, or Quick Reference Guide, is a laminated, pocket-sized card designed to provide a quick reference to protocols, technical data and other handy information on a variety of scientific topics.

It eliminates the need for trawling through bulky protocol manuals and reference texts in the laboratory. Their small size means users can carry them and their protective laminated surface means accidental spills at the laboratory bench can easily be wiped away.

Dura-Stick labels comprise a range of unique, nonporous, pre-printed, adhesive labels, specifically designed to meet laboratory occupational health and safety standards. They offer a durable, clear, quick and easy reagent labelling system with prompts for handy information such as a reagent name, concentration, solvent, preparer's name and date, printed on the labels.

The manufacturers say the quality-driven features designed into the labels makes them compliant with both OH&S standards and PC2 facility requirements, and their ease of use also makes them a necessity for any laboratory.

Biotopya, launched and supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Fred Smith, is part of the YAA business skills initiative sponsored by the Victorian Government.

The products can be ordered through Scientifix Pty Ltd, Tel: 1800 007 900.

back to top

back contents next