Life sciences giant chooses Brisbane for Asia Pacific headquarters

In a major coup for Queensland, life sciences giant BGI has chosen Brisbane as its Asia Pacific headquarters.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Jackie Trad today joined BGI President and co-founder Professor Jian Wang to make the announcement at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

 “We are delighted this innovative and cutting-edge organisation has decided to set up its Asia Pacific headquarters in Queensland,” Ms Trad said.

 “BGI is one of the world’s largest genomic organisations, with scientific accomplishments including sequencing the genome of an Asian person, the giant panda and the human gut microbiome.

 “They will be working closely with Queensland universities and government bodies on key research issues in genomics, healthcare, agriculture and biodiversity. BGI have already secured partnerships with CSIRO, Griffith and James Cook University and will be formalising agreements with them later today.

 “BGI employ 5,000 people worldwide and their decision to invest here in Queensland is a fantastic endorsement of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiatives.”

BGI President and co-founder Professor Jian Wang said BGI would be based at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and had already established some very strong links with Queensland research institutes.

“We’ve been considering coming to Queensland for some time given the strength of Queensland’s research sector and a visionary state government committed to innovation and science as the driving forces of economic development,” Professor Wang said.

Minister for Health Cameron Dick said that the work that BGI would be undertaking would complement the world-leading research already being done in Queensland.

“The work that will take place at the new facility fits in well with that being done by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute,” Mr Dick said.

“BGI’s ambitions to use genomics and related technology to improve human life, develop cures for cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, and infectious diseases aligns with QIMR Berghofer’s reputation as a world leader in genomics research.”

Minister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch said BGI’s decision to come to Queensland demonstrated the state’s reputation as a major centre for life sciences.

“BGI participated in the Palaszczuk Government’s inaugural Advance Queensland Innovation and Investment Summit, attended by more than 1700 delegates, in Brisbane in April this year,” Ms Enoch said.

“This announcement speaks volumes about the success of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiative in transitioning Queensland to a knowledge-based economy built on science, innovation and entrepreneurship.”

QIMR Berghofer’s Director and CEO, Professor Frank Gannon, said BGI’s new Asia Pacific headquarters, based at the Institute, would include office and laboratory space.

“QIMR Berghofer, and the Herston precinct, is a world leader in the field of genetics and genomics so it is fitting that one of the world’s largest sequencing companies should establish its Asia Pacific headquarters at our premises,” Professor Gannon said.

BGI will sign agreements later today with the CSIRO for millet breeding, production and genetic improvement research, Griffith University on omics research in sport health, diseases and biodiversity and James Cook University for marine science, aquaculture and health medical research.

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942