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Brilliant biotechnology

Highlighting the brilliance of Western Australia's biotechnology industry.

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WA’s biotechnology industry

Western Australia’s (WA) biotechnology companies, organisations and scientists are at the leading edge of research and development. Our growing biotechnology businesses use world-leading research to attract international interest and investment. We have a talented and educated work force, world-renowned scientists, and a proven track record in innovation and invention.

Brilliant opportunities

Over 40 years WA has taken the international lead in the development of large-scale population-based health databases. These databases provide a unique opportunity to investigate linkages between human disease, genes and the environment.

WA has a long history of successful operation of technology parks. Planning for two new biotechnology precincts, to be co-located with major teaching hospitals, University’s and state-of-the-art research facilities are underway. These precincts will provide WA the opportunity to attract large numbers of high quality researchers, doctors, nurses and related personnel.

Our location at the heart of the Indian Ocean Rim facilitates strong ties with the growing markets of Asia, and places us in close proximity to two thirds of the world’s population. WA is home to one of the world’s richest sources of biodiversity.

WA is a low cost high-quality business, research and development location for new investors and multi-national organizations.

Our WA brilliant biotechnology: capabilities brochure (PDF 726 KB) provides information on:

  • Biomedicine
  • Medical devices
  • Agri-biotech
  • Environmental biotechnology
  • Industrial biotechnology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Investment opportunities.

Brilliant research base

WA's four public universities – The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University, and Edith Cowan University – are independent, Commonwealth-funded institutions producing innovative and highly skilled biotechnology-trained graduates and top quality research.

WA's research base is strong, with renowned researchers conducting world-class research at institutes across the State. Our research institutes have key strengths in agricultural biotechnology, alzheimer’s and ageing, bioindustrial, bioinformatics, cancer, cell therapies, clinical trials, drug discovery, infectious diseases, nanotechnology, ophthalmology, proteomics and skin and tissue engineering.

Complementing this is our cluster of Cooperative Research Centres and Centres of Excellence for industry-focused research and development that focus the resources and capability of government agencies, the State’s academic institutions and the private sector.

For more information refer to our WA biotechnology research guide (PDF 4.4 MB).

The guide showcases WA’s research in the area of biotechnology and is an invitation to all stakeholders to work together to develop this research to create a more sustainable society for this and future generations.

Brilliant people

WA researchers are internationally recognised for their expertise.

Brilliant Western Australians include:

  • Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren, won the 2005 Nobel Prize for Medicine for their discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease
  • Dr Fiona Wood, developed spray on skin for the treatment of burns and was awarded Australian of the Year in 2005
  • Professor Fiona Stanley, Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Australian of the Year in 2003
  • Professor Peter Klinken, Director of Western Australian Institute for Medical Research
  • Professor Ian Constable, Director of the Lions Eye Institute
  • Professor Peter Leedman, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research and head of the team that discovered the SLIRP gene, which can block the hormones that feed breast and prostate cancer.

WA researchers are internationally recognised for their expertise.

Three Western Australians were accepted to speak on panels at the BIO 2008 Conference in San Diego.

For more information refer to our Brilliant biotechnology: brilliant people brochure (PDF 446 KB).

Brilliant innovation

Western Australian companies, research institutions and universities are looking for partners and investors to further develop technologies in the areas of biomedicine, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, bioinformatics and industrial biotechnology.

WA has a strong history of investing in research and in winning national and international competitive research funding.

WA is growing its strong network of national and international alliances in the biotechnology arena and is continuing to make the most of its unique advantages in partnerships worldwide.

WA's four universities and many research institutions have a wide range of technologies available for licensing or commercialisation.

WA's biotechnology industry comprises of more than 170 businesses and organisations, including core biotechnology companies, research organisations, and companies servicing the biotechnology industry.

For more information refer to our Biotechnology industry directory (PDF 2.2 MB).

Brilliant lifestyle

WA's brilliant lifestyle attracts top people.

Our climate, lifestyle and high quality medical and education systems are the envy of the world, as is our warm, friendly, uncomplicated way of life in a relatively unspoiled environment, complementing the sophisticated and profitable globally-oriented economy.

The State presents an attractive lifestyle for the international investment community with its open, relaxed and multicultural environment. The capital, Perth, provides an affordable way of life in a Mediterranean type climate. In a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (London), Perth was ranked fifth most liveable city in the world in 2005.

To find out more about visiting or living in WA visit www.westernaustralia.com.

Brilliant future

Biotechnology is emerging as a strategically important industry, essential to WA's future global position.

WA researchers are working to harness the wealth of data emerging from laboratories to create a better understanding of the biological processes underlying genetics, and to develop new products and processes useful to human and animal health, food and agriculture, and industry.

Current research is the foundation of future solutions and WA invites all stakeholders to work together to develop this research to create a more sustainable society for this and future generations.

WA is the first global participant in the sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge.

Participating students are paired with one of WA’s world class biotechnology scientists who mentor the students through their high-level biotechnology research project.

Through this program WA is developing and supporting the next generation of biotechnology and science industry professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs.

Information on the regional finalists is available in the Brilliant biotechnology: brilliant future brochure (PDF 565 KB).

Contact us

For more information on Western Australian biotechnology please contact us.

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