Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 9 Number 3, July/August
1999, pp. 151-158
Ten Trends in Australian Biotech
Lyndal Thorburn.
Code Number:AU99010
This paper reports on major trends among dedicated biotech
companies (DBCs) in Australia between biotech's first decade
1979-1988, and its second, 1989-1998. Over this period the number
of dedicated biotechnology companies (DBCs) has more than doubled,
and there has been a marked shift towards firms operating in human
therapeutics. The proportion of firms delivering services (rather
than products) and undertaking R&D as their main activity has
also increased. A higher proportion of firms are now located in the
smaller capital cities and at the same time a small number of firms
have established in Europe and North America. Melbourne remains the
centre of employment. Centres of research activity are concentrated
in Canberra followed by Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Patterns of
ultimate ownership have remained stable. There has been an increase
in access to venture capital at startup but firms remain small.
Government policies need to address the issues raised by these
trends.
Copyright 1999 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
