Healthy industry export businesses to grow on Gold Coast

A complementary health product manufacturing facility recently began operations on the Gold Coast and is expected to open up new business and export opportunities for the region and for Queensland.

Minister for Trade John Mickel said that Gold Coast company IHI Biohealth had recently received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration to manufacture health products and supplements.

“The company’s research and industry feedback has revealed frustration amongst small to medium-sized companies arising from an inability to secure contractors for the manufacturing of smaller product batches under 500kg,” Mr Mickel said.

“IHI Biohealth approached the Queensland Government with this information and, through the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, the Government assisted the company with a $250,000 Business Industry Transformation Incentive grant.

“The grant has been used to assist with opening the manufacturing incubator for health products and supplements, with the aim of growing the industry in Queensland, and helping the State’s businesses to enter other domestic and export markets.

“IHI Biohealth invested several million dollars to establish its new manufacturing facility at Burleigh Heads where they commenced production late last year.

“IHI Biohealth has been working in the health industry for the last eight years to develop better manufacturing capabilities for small to medium-sized complementary medicine and nutraceutical companies in particular.

“As an extension to their new enterprise, IHI Biohealth has also employed an export manufacturing manager, quality manager and an export sales manager. These specialised employees will assist in training staff in pharmaceutical manufacturing and help place new focus on export markets for Queensland products in a sector which has traditionally been dominated by US manufacturers.

“So far the company has been approached by 30 institutions and businesses, including Universities and clinical trials providers looking to manufacture their products at the facility.

The new IHI Biohealth facility offers Good Manufacturing Practice, and TGA accreditation vital to develop best practice standards. This accreditation will also assist the region’s nutraceutical companies to compete globally.

Minister’s office: Joe Begley 3237 1944 or Jane Rowe 3237 1125

IHI Australia - George Papanikolaou (CEO) 5529 4123 www.ihiaustralia.com

22 January 2009