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Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 12 No. 1, 2002, pp. 21 NEWS FROM AUSTRADE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE QUATERNARY INDUSTRIAL SECTOR D. G. Anderson Austrade, doug.anderson@austrade.gov.au Code Number: au02006 New industries sweep through society as waves of technological change, and they do so with increasing momentum. Traditionally, industrial categories have been grouped into three sectors, but a fourth (4°) sector needs to be recognised (Table 1). Quaternary industries arise from breakthroughs in science and the outcome is social transformation Novel solutions to human problems are developed, and choice in the marketplace expands. With new markets, new business practices come into being. And as the new technology is taken into households, the dynamics of human relationships change. Witness the impact of the information highway on our generation. The quaternary level of hierarchical systems is the most dynamic level of all. Handcrafted tools are widespread in the Quaternary Age, which culminates with the emergence of modern humans less than 200,000 years ago. The quaternary structure of proteins is regulated by slight shifts in the shape of a single subunit. Life hinges on the integration of complementary functional groups. Every age has its quaternary industry. Presumably, the development of the wheel was an innovation at some point in time. What has changed is the impact of the technological waves. The pace of discovery, development and production is so rapid, and the scope of distribution so broad, that the quaternary sector has become the driver of national economies. Be warned, though! Innovators may not reap the rewards. In a chauffeur-driven vehicle, the driver is not renowned for inordinate wealth. The chief beneficiaries are well positioned in the most productive enterprises. So how do biotechnology organisations, as exemplars of the quaternary industry, establish a competitive advantage? Biotechnology is characterised by intangible assets. Ease in replicating established business protocol is more liability than asset. Competitive sources are unpredictable and may strike with disarming speed. Competitive advantage in the quaternary sector lies in the astute use of knowledge. When product development times are lengthy, and the potential market is huge, patent protection of intellectual property is crucial. Without adequate IF protection, emerging biotechnology companies cannot get off the ground. Complementarity - completeness by association - is another key factor. Local Biotech Hubs demonstrate the benefits of clustered activity, but they cannot match the opportunities from overseas. The so-called Metanational companies, a hallmark of quaternary industry, are conglomerates that leverage and integrate resources from around the world. They do not grow from a single source; they amalgamate organisations of independent origin. The network, more so than the technology, is idiosyncratic and difficult to replicate. Therein lies the competitive advantage. To paraphrase, the biotechnology industry hinges on the integration of complementary functional groups. Proteome Systems Ltd is one local example of a metanational company. Through a decade of pioneering work, resulting in a commanding IF portfolio, the company has forged partnerships with an impressive array of global forces: IBM, Sigma Aldrich, and Shimadzu. Their new strength lies in their international network. Emerging biotechnology companies tend to lack international experience. Austrade and Invest Australia (IA), two federal agencies, help Australian organisations seize opportunities from overseas. Austrade’s goal is to identify opportunities for our clients in international markets, find them partners and buyers, and help them develop relationships and strategies for business expansion. With over 100 offices located around the world, Austrade is well positioned to identify opportunities from overseas. Austrade’s Bio-Global Team was established in 2001 to assist the Australian biotechnology industry. Our overseas team members are well connected, with in-depth knowledge of local cultures, business practices and the challenges facing Australian organisations. To benefit from the services of Austrade and IA, biotechnology organisations should register and maintain their entry in the AusBiotech Directory (http://www.ausbiotech.org/). The directory is used as a preliminary scan for matching opportunities. For ongoing advisory, facilitation and business services, Austrade and IA require detailed information about product development and the type of assistance sought. In the quaternary sector, alliance based on extensive knowledge of the international market is the clearest means to success. When global market intelligence is coupled to technical innovation, the avenue to prosperity is open. And the drive of the quaternary industry will take you far. For further information on the services of Austrade and Invest Australia, visit their websites; http://www.austtade.gov.au/ and http://www.investaustralia.gov.au/, or contact the author. Copyright 2002 - AusBiotech The following images related to this document are available:Photo images[au02006t1.jpg] |
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