Vic govt tenders for review of biotech plan

The Victorian state government's Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) has put up for tender the review of its Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan.

The government, which launched the plan in mid-2001, pledged at the time to invest at least AUD$320 million through 2004-2005 in the state's industry, with a vision of making Victoria one of the top five biotechnology locations in the world by 2010.

According to a recent statement made by Innovation Minister John Brumby, Victoria is already ranked 10th in the world in the recent Ernst & Young Beyond Borders: Global Biotechnology Report 2003.

The current strategic plan identifies five key areas, including the development of a biotechnology skills base, developing the state's research base, commercialisation of research, building the corporate base and marketing the state's capabilities and providing government leadership and support.

Through its Science, Technology and Innovation Initiative grants, the government has provided $150 million to biotechnology projects, particularly infrastructure. Efforts have also been made to identify and establish platform technologies, and assist with technology commercialisation.

Industry consultant Prof Graham Mitchell, of Foursight Associates, said the review was timely given the speed of changes in technology and in the industry, both on a local and a global basis.

"It doesn't have to be a mammoth task every six months, but should be looked at every two years or so," he said. "The states have to play to their strengths; it's necessary to have a strategy."

Mitchell said the general impression was that the state government had taken the biotechnology industry seriously, and had put its money where its mouth was. He noted the government had chosen to build on a platform initiated by the previous Kennett government.

"We need to give Premier Bracks and Minister Brumby a pat on the back for genuine involvement," he said.

The review of the strategy, according to Mitchell, should include a deep analysis of the role of government in the biotechnology industry.

"It should encourage identification of barriers to best practice in taking a biotech product from concept to market, and look for areas that the government could assist or facilitate to ensure they don't become limiting steps," he said.

The main areas fell into two categories: capital and funding arrangements, to ensure that companies had access to appropriate capital at different stages in their growth; and ensuring relevant technology capabilities were available to companies.

Access to appropriately qualified personnel was less of an issue today compared with two years ago, Mitchell said.

Another area of importance for the review, he said, was to assess the interactions between the federal and state government and between Victoria and the other states.

"There should be links to the federal government's strategy and ongoing initiatives," he said.

Information about the tender can be found at tenders.vic.gov.au.