16/06/05
Western Australia's internationally renowned biotechnology industry will be on the world stage when State Development Minister Alan Carpenter travels to Philadelphia, USA this week for the world's largest biotechnology industry conference and exhibition.
Mr Carpenter will lead an industry delegation of 19 leading WA biotechnology companies to Bio2005, which is expected to attract more than 20,000 biotech executives, investors, academics, journalists, policy makers and scientists from more than 60 countries.
Bio2005 runs from June 19-22.
"The biotechnology sector in WA comprises more than 140 companies and organisations and is one of the State's most exciting emerging industries," the Minister said.
"The sector in WA is becoming renowned around the world for achievements in areas including biomedical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, nanotechnology and hydrometallurgical processing.
"The sector also has a very strong research base, with world-class research in agricultural biotechnology at the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) and in biomedical biotechnology at the Lions Eye Institute, the Institute for Child Health Research, the WA Institute for Medical Research and the WA Biomedical Research Institute."
Mr Carpenter said the WA booths at the Philadelphia event would promote the State's biotechnology capability by acting as a contact point for WA companies. It would also provide specific information on more than 140 WA biotech organisations.
"The Gallop Government is committed to providing new opportunities for WA and this US conference and exhibition will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase one of WA's emerging industries," he said.
"It is also a great opportunity to promote our own biotech conference, AusBiotech 2005, which will be held in Perth from November 22-23.
"The AusBiotech 2005 National Conference and Business Partner and Investment Forum, co-ordinated through the Department of Industry and Resources, is expected to attract more than 1,400 delegates to Perth and inject more than $4.3million into the WA economy.
"We will promote the AusBiotech 2005 Conference to be held in Perth, with an aim to increase the number of international delegates attending with significant flow-on value for our State economy."
Mr Carpenter said the biotechnology sector was the fastest growing sector in the global economy, expanding at 16 per cent per annum with a current value of more than US$18.6billion, and would play a growing part in the diversification of the State and national economies.
In November last year, the State Government released the WA Biotechnology Industry Initiatives Program to provide the framework for the sustained growth and development of WA's emerging biotechnology industry, including support for commercialisation and business development and increasing awareness of the sector's capabilities.
In addition to Bio2005, the Minister will also progress discussions on resources and energy developments with leading US oil and gas companies who have significant investment in WA.
Minister's office: 9222 9699
The delegation from Western Australian Biotechnology Sector includes:
1. Biopharmica
2. CollTech Australia
3. Epichem Pty Ltd
4. Genestream Pty Ltd
5. Griffith Hack
6. ICeutica
7. Resonance Health
8. Phylogica
9. Jackson McDonalds Lawyers
10. Mimotopes Pty Ltd
11. Ozgene Pty Ltd
12. QRC Solutions
13. Solbec Pharmaceuticals
14. Stirling Products
15. Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
16. UWA Office of Industry and Innovation
17. UWA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (Research)
18. WA Biomedical Research Institute
19. Wray and Associates.
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