Biomedical and life sciences discussion paper seeks USQ input

Researchers at The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Toowoomba are today having their say about opportunities to accelerate the growth of Queensland’s burgeoning biomedical and life sciences sector.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham visited the University to learn more about research that would feed into the Palaszczuk Government’s job-generating biomedical and life sciences action plan.

“I’m pleased to visit USQ and see first-hand the impressive research and development that is being undertaken here and learning more about the significant contribution that USQ is making regionally, in Queensland, and nationally,” Dr Lynham said.

Dr Lynham welcomed the contribution that regional universities such as USQ were making to build this innovative sector and encouraged all research bodies and industry to provide feedback on his department’s 10-Year Biomedical and Life Sciences Roadmap Discussion Paper due out in the near future.

“The biomedical and life sciences sector consists of industries such as pharmaceuticals, complementary medicines and therapeutic medicines and devices. The therapeutic medicines and devices industry generated $2.7 billion for the state economy and provided more than 6000 jobs for Queenslanders based on the latest available figures,” Dr Lynham said.

“The growth potential for Queensland industry is exponential with the global market in 2014 for medical devices alone estimated to be $US375 billion.”

Dr Lynham said growing the biomedical and life sciences sector and creating high-value knowledge economy jobs was a Palaszczuk Government priority.

“As Queensland’s economy transitions, this is one of the major opportunities to create valuable knowledge economy jobs and power Queensland’s regional economies into the future,” he said.

“The government is committed to creating more opportunities for the sector to commercialise products and technologies, and attract investment.

To do this Queensland can leverage comparative advantages in areas such as advanced imaging, genetics/genomics services, biofabrication, preclinical and early phase clinical trials, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and manufacturing niche pharmaceutical products, medical devices and diagnostics.

Growing the biomedical and life sciences sector is one of the priorities of the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland strategy to create the jobs of the future. The priority industries include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biofutures, defence and mining equipment, technology and services.

[ENDS]           2 June, 2016

Media contact:           John Austin 0428 319 481