Bioscience
Adelaide has been rated as the most cost-competitive city in Australia for bioscience clinical trials, manufacturing and product testing research and development.
It is recognised internationally for its scientific excellence and research abilities and its culture of collaboration.
With 90 core biotech companies in the State, internationally recognised hospitals and research institutes and a dedicated commercial biomedical precinct with manufacturing capabilities, South Australia is an ideal investment location for biotech companies.
South Australia’s bioscience industry specialises in the application of science and technology to medicine and agriculture with the majority of bioscience companies operating in these sectors.
South Australia has a proven track record for commercialising university research and development and creating spin-off companies. It is home to public and private national research and development centres, as well as Drug Development South Australia – a consortium of leading preclinical and clinical trials service providers.
Overview
With demand for medical services and agricultural products growing strongly, South Australia offers biotech companies significant opportunities to engage in research and development, licensing, strategic partnerships, manufacturing and services.
For emerging bioscience companies, South Australia offers access to the $35 million South Australian Life Sciences Venture Capital fund. Managed by Terra Rossa Capital Pty Ltd, the fund was established in 2006 by Bio Innovation SA and the Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund. A biosciences business incubator, located at the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct, provides start-up biotechnology companies with laboratory and office space and business development services.
Output
• Bioscience generates $180 million a year and has raised in excess of $32 million in private capital in 2006.
Employment
• Bioscience employs 1,200 people, with the sector growing by 100 new FTEs a year over the past four years.
Workforce Information Service
Number of businesses
• Around 90 core biotechnology businesses with 36% in biomedical and 18 per cent in agricultural biotechnology.
Research and development
• South Australia’s bioscience industry invests more than $45 million a year on research and development, approximately $1 million per company engaging in R&D activities.
• Bioscience accounts for nearly 60 per cent of all research publications produced in South Australia.
Geographic focus
• South Australia’s bioscience industry is concentrated in Adelaide around five innovation precincts. The Thebarton Bioscience Precinct is home to one of the largest clusters of commercial medical bioscience companies in Australia.
Business representation
Bionomics Ltd, Novozymes GroPep Ltd and Hospira Adelaide are just three of Australia’s leading biomedical companies located in Adelaide.
South Australia is also headquarters for major companies such as Protherics Australasia and Numico Research Australia. Others in the sector include Mayne Pharma, Hamilton Laboratories, Geneworks Pty Ltd, Micronix Pty Ltd and fast-growing start-ups such as Nidor Pty Ltd and vivoPharm Pty Ltd.
Case studies
Bionomics Ltd
Novozymes GroPep Ltd
Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd
Industry groups
AusBiotech
Bio Innovation SA
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