MICKEL CONGRATULATES BIOTECH CEOS FOR BOOM IN INDUSTRY
Published Thursday, 22 March, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
An industry survey has shown employment in the Australian biotechnology industry has doubled in recent years, Minster for State Development John Mickel told delegates at the 2007 AusBiotech CEO Forum today.
Speaking at the event at the Hyatt Regency at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Mr Mickel congratulated CEOs of Australia’s biotechnology companies for spearheading the sector’s recent rapid growth.
“The survey, undertaken by Innovation Dynamics Pty Ltd, shows Australian-based employment in core biotechnology firms grew from 6100 employees in 2004 to over 12,000 in 2006,” Mr Mickel said.
“This growth is mainly due to increases in the size of existing biotech companies and reflects the maturing of the sector and companies moving down the production development pipeline.”
Mr Mickel said this growth would not have happened without strong, high quality and astute management.
“This increased growth and maturity is attracting international attention as evidenced in the growing number of Australian biotech companies being involved in merger and acquisition deals and alliances with local and international companies,” he said.
Mr Mickel said biotechnology was one of the core emerging industries targeted in the Government’s Smart State Strategy.
“This is going to be one of the great industries in the future, and here in Queensland we are poised to take advantage, with our strong R&D, the quality of our researchers, and our rich and unique biodiversity,” he said.
“Our ten-year biotechnology strategic plan focuses on the commercialisation of biotechnological research, and has the potential to provide significant benefits across many industries including agriculture, food, environment and mining.”
Mr Mickel said besides the economic benefits, he believed biotechnology held the key to the world’s greatest challenges, including climate change, curing and eradicating diseases and feeding the world’s growing population.
The 2007 AusBiotech CEO Forum brings together about 70 CEOs from biotechnology companies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
_______________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Speaking at the event at the Hyatt Regency at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Mr Mickel congratulated CEOs of Australia’s biotechnology companies for spearheading the sector’s recent rapid growth.
“The survey, undertaken by Innovation Dynamics Pty Ltd, shows Australian-based employment in core biotechnology firms grew from 6100 employees in 2004 to over 12,000 in 2006,” Mr Mickel said.
“This growth is mainly due to increases in the size of existing biotech companies and reflects the maturing of the sector and companies moving down the production development pipeline.”
Mr Mickel said this growth would not have happened without strong, high quality and astute management.
“This increased growth and maturity is attracting international attention as evidenced in the growing number of Australian biotech companies being involved in merger and acquisition deals and alliances with local and international companies,” he said.
Mr Mickel said biotechnology was one of the core emerging industries targeted in the Government’s Smart State Strategy.
“This is going to be one of the great industries in the future, and here in Queensland we are poised to take advantage, with our strong R&D, the quality of our researchers, and our rich and unique biodiversity,” he said.
“Our ten-year biotechnology strategic plan focuses on the commercialisation of biotechnological research, and has the potential to provide significant benefits across many industries including agriculture, food, environment and mining.”
Mr Mickel said besides the economic benefits, he believed biotechnology held the key to the world’s greatest challenges, including climate change, curing and eradicating diseases and feeding the world’s growing population.
The 2007 AusBiotech CEO Forum brings together about 70 CEOs from biotechnology companies in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
_______________________________________
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.