Biotechnology And Countries Around The World

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By Desiree Garland

Norway
Over two decades ago the Norwegian government recognized the biotechnology industry as a core focus area and is doing its part to ensure its future. The Norwegian government has introduced a stimulus package designed to help the nation’s life sciences industry. The package is worth $2.87 billon, with a $418 million biotechnology component. More than 80% of the country’s biotechnology efforts are focused on cancer research and are based in and around the Oslo Cancer Cluster.

Without funding from the government, Oslo was at risk of losing half its biotechnology companies and 50 new cancer products currently in clinical trials. The majority of Norwegian biotech companies are small but growing with over 100 companies and research institutions doing thriving business within areas that include diagnostics, therapeutic and vaccine healthcare, agricultural and marine biotech, environment and bioprocessing. The NBA or Norwegian Bioindustry Association was created in 2001 to facilitate communication between the biotech industry and politicians, authorities and the general public. The NBA deals with members from large corporations to small start-up companies and its members are mainly within the medical or pharmaceutical industries.

According to a report by the Norwegian government entitled “Commitment to Research”, continued internationalization is a top priority. This report is designed to direct governmental activities as well as the Research Council of Norway’s overall strategy related to biotechnology.

Denmark
Denmark is making huge strides in the biotechnology industry. In the mid 1980’s the nation had about 20 active biotechnology companies. Today that number stands at 135. According to Ernst & Young, the country currently ranks third in Europe in terms of the number of biotechnology products it has under development. Additionally the number of drug candidates under development in Danish biotechnology companies shot up 25% from 2006 to 2007, compared with the European average of 9%. To date Denmark has 188 potential new products in development for diseases including cancer and HIV. Collectively, the industry raised $707 million in capital in 2007, the fourth largest sum raised in Europe. With 11 new biotechnology companies started in 2007, more than double the 2005 figure the country’s start-up rate is also soaring.

Currently the Danish biotech industry employs more than 30,000 people in Denmark and is the most important segment of the pharmaceutical sector. The industry currently excels in diabetics, metabolism, neuroscience, cancer inflammation and allergies. Denmark’s Medicon Valley is home to 170 medtech companies and more than 50 contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations.

In Medicon Valley, five out of 12 universities offer life-science-related studies; approximately 45,000 students are currently studying life sciences and 2,600 life science PhD students are enrolled, giving companies access to good local support and manpower.

Korea
Korea is showing a desire to become a key player in the field of biotechnology.

Osong Bio-Technopolis will be Korea’s first bio cluster. The complex will be occupied by institutions, government organizations and biotech-related labs. It will be located in a 4.6 million-square-meter site in Chungcheongbuk-do, central Korea. Sixteen universities and colleges around the complex will offer high-quality human resources, forming an academic network that will allow students and researchers to exchange information. A total of 54 Korean companies have said they will move to the complex, investing $1.1 billion as of October 2007.

United States drug developer and manufacturer, VGX Pharmaceutical, has signed a deal to invest $200 million to establish its Asian regional headquarters in the complex. With $260 million in foreign investments from four U.S. and Canadian companies, the government designed a special section for foreign direct investment. Foreign companies investing in the complex will also be exempt from rent and corporate taxes for five to seven years. Osong Bio-Technopolis is also a key part of the government’s plan to build what it calls a “Science Business Belt” in the Chungcheong area, bridging neighbourhood cities. The Korean bio-industry represents a substantial amount of this growth. In the last three years it has continued to grow by an average of 14%. With the support and efforts of government, academia, research institutes and companies from related industries, the Korean bio-industry has been able to make great strides. In 2007, Korea’s largest biotech show - Bio Korea - hosted 232 companies and 17,102 visitors from all across the globe and the show continues to grow.