This is the text-only, printer-friendly version of Australia's Biotechnology Capabilities.
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Australia's Biotechnology Capabilities

(Last reviewed: 30 Jun 2008)

Biotechnology Australia ceased operations on 30 June 2008. The information on this website has been archived and is no longer updated.

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This page contains information about the 2005 Australia's Biotechnology Capabilities. To view the chapters from this publication, select from the list below:

A national approach to biotechnology in Australia

Australian, State and Territory Governments are working cooperatively to help build on Australia’s capabilities in biotechnology.

All governments are collaborating on the implementation of a national work program developed between the Australian Government Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, the Hon Ian Macfarlane, and all Premiers and Chief Ministers.

The Biotechnology Liaison Committee (BLC), chaired by Biotechnology Australia (an Australian Government agency) and made up of officials from each State and Territory and the Australian Government, has responsibility for pursuing this work in consultation with industry and other experts.

Statement of Australia’s Biotechnology Capabilities

A major element of the national program has been the development of the Statement of Australia’s Biotechnology Capabilities (which AusBiotech National Conference delegates will find in their Conference satchels). This Statement has been produced by the BLC to set down – for the first time – a picture of key areas of capability in biotechnology at a national level.

The Statement presents this information at a national level to provide a greater level of understanding of the range of Australia’s capabilities in biotechnology. It will help inform policy development, as well as assist in better targeting of marketing and in furthering collaborations and partnerships.

Further information on the capability work and an interactive map showing the location of biotechnology precincts in Australia can be found at www.investaustralia.gov.au.

Background to the Development of the Statement

It is widely acknowledged that Australia has strengths in biotechnology in a number of research and industry areas across agribiotech, biomedicine, environmental and industrial biotechnology. Developing a statement of ‘capabilities’, however, required a consistent framework for information collection and analysis so that an accurate and informative national picture could be drawn.

The BLC considered information and data from a wide range of sources and analysed it against a range of ‘factors’ or ‘conditions’, to identify where real capabilities exist. These factors include:

  • government policies and support specifically for the biotechnology sector;
  • R&D leadership and infrastructure in particular areas of biotechnology;
  • the growth and range of company activity within the sector; and
  • collaborative activities, drawing together industry, researchers and governments in key areas of biotechnology.

The analysis also recognises that biotechnology capabilities are supported by enabling technologies and are underpinned by capabilities that are not specific to the biotechnology sector but which provide the sector with vital support for growth. Examples of relevant enabling technologies are genomics, bioinformatics and nanotechnology. Examples of underpinning capabilities include Australia’s strong regulatory regime to provide transparency and stability for industry growth, or government programs that foster commercialisation and innovation.

The outcome of the BLC’s analysis was discussed with a range of biotechnology experts, drawn from the four key areas where biotechnology capabilities are primarily being applied in Australia at this time, that is, in:

The BLC is most grateful to these experts for their time and assistance, and is looking forward to engaging with them again as it takes its work forward to the next stage — strategic planning for the sector.

Next steps

The next step is a forward looking strategic planning process for Australian biotechnology, building on the capability work to date. The planning will focus on maintaining or growing existing capabilities or fostering emerging ones into the future, particularly over the next 10 years. The BLC will again be engaging with stakeholders in this next phase, and is very interested in hearing your views on both capabilities and strategic planning.

If you would like to provide your views or participate in our future activities, please contact:
BLC Secretariat,
c/- Biotechnology Australia,
20 Allara Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6213 7161 or
E-mail: susan.buller@biotechnology.gov.au

Please find attached the PDF of this page below.

 

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