Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 11, Num. 6, 2001, pp. 2

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 6, 2001, pp. 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Peter Riddles, President

Code Number: au01068

Now that 2001 has left us, it is appropriate for us to contemplate the remaining challenges and hence what the starting point will be for 2002. 2001 was a year when the agenda of our world and our own expectations were disrupted by the tragedies associated with September 11th, and when economic downturns happened in some of the major economies of the world, and yet the biotechnology industry generally continued strong growth. Perhaps the risks associated with investment and returns in biotechnology transcend, for the time being, the perceived risks associated with this political, social and economic disruption, and the more general recession that is occurring. Most likely, the demand for the benefits of biotechnology, which include improved health, environment and food supply, to name but a few, will always be there, in a world in which the pressure on natural resources and the impact of disease will continue to grow as the population continues to expand.

While the leading economies such as the USA and Japan are faltering for the time being, Australia’s own economy is performing well at the top of the list of OECD countries, a factor which can partly be attributed to Australia’s diverse economic base and diverse markets. In this context, biotechnology will continue to play a role in maintaining this diversity by adding value through continued growth of the ‘knowledge-based’ sector and providing a basis for continuing innovation in existing sectors. We see that there already has been tremendous growth generally in this sector in those nations that have recognised early the importance of biotechnology. These successes have occurred because of the capability to recognise the essential differences associated with the establishment of the industry, which set it apart at the early stages from other industry sectors, and most importantly, the willingness and capacity of governments and industry to work together at these early stages to develop and apply the appropriate strategies. Our industry, AusBiotech and government need to recognise that this partnership will be a requirement for some time because the industry will continue to be established from research organisations which are publicly funded, at the same time that companies grow and seek markets and opportunities elsewhere.

There is no reason why Australia cannot have an industry with many, large, multibillion-dollar companies and an even greater collection of smaller, innovative biotechnology companies. At the same time, Australia is increasingly seen as an option for international companies to establish and invest here because of the ‘stability’ factors that are often referred to, namely, political, economic, social and environmental.

Back on the agenda, with the new Federal ministry in place, is the call for an increase in the funding for Australia’s education and scientific base, to enable an expansion to levels which are competitive with leading Western nations, and I believe that this is a goal that should be supported vigorously. Scientifically, we will see the continued development and convergence of technologies with mainstream biotechnologies, as new waves of discovery and innovation occur with advances in nanosciences, computing, informatics and materials science. It will be an exciting time scientifically! At the same time, we must not lose our now established focus on innovation arising from this (expanding) education and science base and we will need to continue to establish the culture which encourages individuals to seek opportunities in the industry. This most important issue will continue to be a priority for AusBiotech in the coming year.

As such, AusBiotech’s particular focus in the next year will be to:

• Assemble, analyse and disseminate information on the industry to its members and stakeholders through an expansion of existing activities and the establishment of resources (staff and databases);
• Develop policies which will facilitate the further growth and consolidation of the industry through consulting with key individuals of our member companies and organisations and to take these policies to government; and
• Contribute to the discussions concerning the broad range of ethical issues and to develop frameworks for the industry to work with.

These activities will be conducted against a background where AusBiotech will play an increasing role to promote and develop opportunities for the Australian industry in the international marketplace.

In the past year, AusBiotech itself has experienced all the challenges of a start-up biotechnology company, raising money, delivering services to members and the industry, establishing new infrastructure and management systems, surviving the first tests of its ability to deliver....and so on. Details of AusBiotech’s first year of activities were outlined in the Chairman and Executive Director’s Reports delivered by Tony Coulepis and myself at the organisations inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) under its new name and Constitution. These reports are available on AusBiotech’s website at www.ausbiotech.org.

It is during this ‘start-up’ period for AusBiotech that the support of all our members: companies, institutes, individuals and students, has been most important. So thank you to all of you for that support and input. We will certainly be looking for a continuation of that support in the coming year, which no doubt will be a busy one for staff and members!

Dr Peter Riddles

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech