Premier and Science Minister to lead life sciences mission to US

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch will next month lead a delegation of about 90 Queensland businesses and researchers to the United States to promote the state’s life sciences sector.

The delegation – announced at a special briefing at Parliament House today (Wednesday) - will take part in the world’s largest biotechnology event, the BIO 2017 International Convention in San Diego from 19 to 22 June.

The 2016 BIO Convention in San Francisco drew almost 16,000 industry leaders from 76 countries and hosted almost 36,000 meetings between businesses, researchers and government representatives.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland mission to BIO was dedicated to engaging with the global industry, seeking out new opportunities, paving the way for future business and research collaborations, and marketing Queensland as a competitive investment destination.

“My government recognises the importance of the life sciences industry to Queensland’s economic prosperity,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Through our $405 million whole-of-government Advance Queensland initiative, we are consolidating the industry in Queensland.

“It’s part of our plan to support jobs growth by diversifying our economy as we transition from the post-resources boom to new opportunities.

“We are building on our research capability and looking to translate research into tangible products that benefit all Queenslanders.”

Speaking at today’s briefing, Ms Enoch said the life sciences sector played a critical role in diversifying Queensland’s economy.

“The biomedical industry in Queensland has a total annual income of $2.7 billion and is forecast to grow by more than 4 per cent a year globally,” Ms Enoch said.

“The therapeutic medicines and devices sub sector alone employs more than 6000 people in Queensland.”

“We’ve got the right mix with our Advance Queensland program in supporting the industry to mature, linking research and business, building an entrepreneurial culture, and helping companies leverage private investment through the Business Development Fund and Ignite Ideas programs.

“We’re also building critical mass through the development of health and knowledge precincts and strategic alliances with major international players such as Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Siemens Healthcare and Emory University in the United States, which has seen the establishment of the University of Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative.”

Life Sciences Queensland CEO Mario Pennisi said these were all good signs of a healthy industry in the state.

“The Government’s emphasis has not all been about health and medicine, they’ve also been looking at developing an industrial biotech sector in the state based on Queensland agriculture,” Mr Pennisi said.

“In the past 12 months, the Palaszczuk Government has launched its $19.73 million Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan. This includes the $5 million Advance Queensland Biofutures Commercialisation Program (BCP). And they appointed QUT Professor Ian O’Hara as Queensland’s Biofutures Industry Envoy.”

Mr Pennisi said Queensland took its life sciences sector very seriously – evidenced by the fact it was the only Australian state to send a high-level political delegation to last year’s BIO Convention.

“This year we’re going to see that again, with the delegation to BIO being led by the Premier and a Science Minister,” he said.

“This just goes to show the priority with which the Queensland Government views the life sciences industry in Queensland and sends a strong message to overseas investors and future partners: that Queensland means business.”

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