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Biotechnology

Information on the department's works to assist the biotechnology industry to commercialise innovative ideas and increase awareness of innovation and scientific endeavour in WA.

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Biotechnology in WA

Western Australia’s (WA) biotechnology companies, organisations and scientists are at the leading edge of research and development. Our growing biotechnology businesses use world-leading research to attract international interest and investment. We have a talented and educated work force, world-renowned scientists, and a proven track record in innovation and invention.

There has been an enormous increase in knowledge in the life sciences in the past few decades, resulting in increased global support for biotechnology and the emergence of many new biotechnology products and companies.
 
There is international recognition that biotechnology adds further value to an economy based on resources and agriculture through the creation of novel technologies and products.

Biotechnology has become a significant global industry, driven by government initiatives and extended cross-border partnerships and alliances.

Internationally there are more than 300 biotechnology drug products and vaccines currently in clinical trials, targeting more than 200 diseases. Biotechnology companies will be a major future source of innovation in developed markets such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia.

Large pharmaceutical companies are increasingly looking to smaller biotechnology companies for new product pipelines. Globally, biotechnology companies will continue to partner with each other and with large pharmaceutical manufacturers.

WA’s strengths in biotechnology

Biotechnology in WA has the potential to:

  • Be a major export earner and a key provider of research and development expertise and jobs
  • Generate new highly skilled jobs
  • Deliver the promise of a better understanding of disease, improved diagnosis and more specific treatments for an array of medical problems
  • Grow WA's agricultural sector, providing improved productivity, competitiveness and sustainability for farming
  • Contribute to cleaner agriculture through reduced pesticide and herbicide use
  • Meet the demand for better and improved quality of foods, competitive pricing and greater consumer choice
  • Provide solutions to environmental and industrial problems
  • Leverage the strength of WA's resources sector.

Economic potential of biotechnology in WA

Research by the Australian Institute for Commercialisation illustrates the enormous potential for biotechnology to contribute to the Australian economy. If just 20 of the current crop of biotechnology businesses achieve the results of Australia’s most successful biotechnology device companies, by the end of 2015 an estimated A$20 billion per annum would be added to the Australian economy. The growing use of and demand for biotechnology creates innovative research opportunities and possibilities for highly skilled, high value employment, which is important to the creation of a modern knowledge-intensive economy.

WA has a small but rapidly growing biotechnology sector that is internationally recognised in niche technology areas. The State has developed world-leading expertise in biomedical technology, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology and bio-mining. WA's biotechnology industry is also drawing on other associated enabling technologies such as nanotechnology, genomics and bioinformatics to provide the basis for a vibrant and innovative economic sector.

WA has an opportunity to leverage its unique assets and expertise to develop a sustainable biotechnology sector that is globally recognised and competitive.

Our role and services

The department works to assist the biotechnology industry to commercialise innovative ideas and increase awareness of innovation and scientific endeavour in WA. This is achieved through facilitating access to capital, human resources, management expertise and research and development skills.

This section of our website provides information on the department's strategy to strengthen and support WA's biotechnology industry and the programs we have on offer.

For additional advice and assistance please contact us.

WA’s Biotechnology Industry Development Strategy

The Biotechnology Industry Development Strategy addresses the issues facing the industry and ensures the strength of WA's research base is maintained while providing support early stage commercial enterprises.

The strategy fosters the long-term growth of the biotechnology sector in WA; maintaining expertise in research and development and enhancing competitiveness in the international market place.

The strategy sets out the framework for WA’s involvement in the international biotechnology marketplace. It provides a view of the global biotechnology sector and explains Australia’s participation and capabilities. It identifies WA’s unique assets and opportunities and targets them for further development in the global biotechnology industry, maintaining and maximising the State’s strengths.

The vision for WA's biotechnology industry

The vision for WA's biotechnology industry is to position the State as a competitive player in the global biotechnology industry, maintaining and maximising strengths in:

  • Biomedical technology
  • Agricultural biotechnology
  • Environmental biotechnology
  • Bio-mining, particularly in the area of bio-leaching and hydrometallurgical processing.

Priority areas

Following extensive consultation, research and identification of WA’s unique assets and opportunities, four priority areas for action have been established.

  1. Building capacity - bringing together Western Australian expertise and infrastructure to build critical mass
  2. Building capability - strengthening and focussing WA’s capabilities in biotechnology innovation, research, development and commercialisation
  3. Going global - raising WA’s profile on the world biotechnology map
  4. Building understanding - identifying, assessing and raising awareness of biotechnology’s costs and benefits.

More information is available in the WA biotechnology industry development strategy (PDF 1.4 MB).

Biotechnology industry directory

WA's biotechnology industry comprises of more than 170 businesses and organisations, including core biotechnology companies, research organisations, and companies servicing the biotechnology industry.

For more information refer to our Biotechnology industry directory (PDF 2.2 MB).

If you wish to be included in the directory or would like to update your details please email biotech@commerce.wa.gov.au.

BioGENEius Challenge

Students participating in the sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge spend a year undertaking a biotechnology research project with one of WA’s world class biotechnology scientists as their mentor.

The sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge is run in the USA by the Biotechnology Institute. Since 2002, the competition has developed to include six USA regional competitions and Canada.  WA is the seventh region and the first participant outside of North America.

For further information please visit the BioGENEius website.

Programs and awards

The department offers numerous science and innovation related programs, including the Inventor of the Year Award, Premier's Research Fellowship Program, Premier's Science Awards and the Science and Innovation Studentship Award. Detailed information is provided in the Services section.

Related links

Life Sciences West Newsletter

The Life Sciences West Newsletter (formally the Biotech West Newsletter), provides information on opportunities in the Western Australian biotechnology industry.

Articles in the latest issue: May 2009 (PDF 205 kb) include:

  • Industry and Export Awards
  • ARCS Australia 18th Annual Scientific Congress
  • WA Marine Resources Library (WAMBL)
  • GRDC - Making Healthy Choices
  • BioGENEius - Bon voyage and good luck
  • Export Market Development Scheme

Past issues of the Biotech West Newsletter and the new Life Sciences West Newsletter are available in the publications section. 

To subscribe to the newsletter or provide a story for an upcoming edition, please email biotech@commerce.wa.gov.au.

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