Published Sunday, 26 October, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Qld biotech in international spotlight at AusBiotech 2008
Queensland’s biotechnology expertise will be in the international spotlight this week at Australia’s largest biotechnology conference for the Asia Pacific region, AusBiotech 2008, Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said today.
To be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from today (26th) until Wednesday, Ms Boyle said Queensland will be promoted as a goldmine for biotechnology opportunities.
“The fact that Queensland is so biodiverse gives us an edge. One hectare of the Daintree Rainforest, for example, is home to more flowering trees than in all of North America,” Ms Boyle said.
“We also have a long-standing reputation for creating very worthwhile international partnerships and alliances.
“We’ve collaborated with organisations in New Zealand, South Carolina, Washington State and British Columbia – and this week is an opportunity to strengthen these and identify other potential partnerships.
“Queensland more than holds its own in the global marketplace and Australia is considered the fifth largest centre for biotechnology after the US, Canada, Germany and the UK.”
The theme for 2008 is ‘Building a Bioeconomy, climate food health investment and fuel’.
“Our biotechnology industry will play a major role addressing challenges like climate change, unhealthy lifestyles, preventable disease and the development of renewable fuels,” Ms Boyle said.
“Take a company like Implicit Bioscience, for example. Last year its directors signed an $18 million contract with the United States Defence Threat Reduction Agency to develop its drug oglufanide which has the potential to protect soldiers against melioidosis, an infectious immune-attacking disease.
“The same drug may also be applied to a wide range of other diseases, including hepatitis C, influenza, cancer and bird flu.
“And then there’s Brisbane-based agbiotech firm Farmacule, which is partnering with the Queensland University of Technology’s Sugar Research Institute and Swiss global agribusiness giant Syngenta to establish the Syngenta Centre for Sugarcane Biofuels Development.
“The Centre will be in Brisbane but a new biocommodities pilot plant will be constructed in Mackay – so these kinds of partnerships not only boost our biotechnology industry but also contribute to regional development.
“It’s achievements like this that will help us reach our Q2 vision to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.”
More information on AusBiotech 2008 is available at www.ausbiotech2008.com.au
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or Kirstie Maier 3224 2007
26 October 2008
To be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from today (26th) until Wednesday, Ms Boyle said Queensland will be promoted as a goldmine for biotechnology opportunities.
“The fact that Queensland is so biodiverse gives us an edge. One hectare of the Daintree Rainforest, for example, is home to more flowering trees than in all of North America,” Ms Boyle said.
“We also have a long-standing reputation for creating very worthwhile international partnerships and alliances.
“We’ve collaborated with organisations in New Zealand, South Carolina, Washington State and British Columbia – and this week is an opportunity to strengthen these and identify other potential partnerships.
“Queensland more than holds its own in the global marketplace and Australia is considered the fifth largest centre for biotechnology after the US, Canada, Germany and the UK.”
The theme for 2008 is ‘Building a Bioeconomy, climate food health investment and fuel’.
“Our biotechnology industry will play a major role addressing challenges like climate change, unhealthy lifestyles, preventable disease and the development of renewable fuels,” Ms Boyle said.
“Take a company like Implicit Bioscience, for example. Last year its directors signed an $18 million contract with the United States Defence Threat Reduction Agency to develop its drug oglufanide which has the potential to protect soldiers against melioidosis, an infectious immune-attacking disease.
“The same drug may also be applied to a wide range of other diseases, including hepatitis C, influenza, cancer and bird flu.
“And then there’s Brisbane-based agbiotech firm Farmacule, which is partnering with the Queensland University of Technology’s Sugar Research Institute and Swiss global agribusiness giant Syngenta to establish the Syngenta Centre for Sugarcane Biofuels Development.
“The Centre will be in Brisbane but a new biocommodities pilot plant will be constructed in Mackay – so these kinds of partnerships not only boost our biotechnology industry but also contribute to regional development.
“It’s achievements like this that will help us reach our Q2 vision to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.”
More information on AusBiotech 2008 is available at www.ausbiotech2008.com.au
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or Kirstie Maier 3224 2007
26 October 2008