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BioCouncils AllianceMApping the Life CyCLe of BioteChnoLogy CoMpAnies
how to create local jobs and investment from Victoria’s biotechnology company activities.
september 2005
Acknowledgements
This report was developed on behalf of the BioCouncils Alliance. The Alliance has six member councils, each is interested in economic development opportunities for their municipalities. The steering committee has a member of each of the councils as follows;
Council SteeringCommitteeRepresentativeCity of Hume Tim Mills City of Knox Randal Harkin City of Melbourne Russ Wood City of Monash Jeff McAlpine City of Whittlesea John Francis City of Wyndham Greg Aplin
The project was led by Jim Murray. Jim is CEO of Atholl Business Consulting Pty Ltd, a Victorian management consulting firm. Jim is also Deputy Chairman of the BioMelbourne Network, Victoria’s biotechnology industry development organisation.
The Scientific Advisor to the Project was Dr John Bates of BTM Services Pty Ltd.
We are grateful for the assistance given by Tim Murphy, the Executive Director of the BioMelbourne Network. We are also grateful for the participation of the fifty biotechnology companies, industry experts, university and government staff who contributed their time and insights into this report.
The BioCouncils Alliance recognise the invaluable contribution provided towards this project by the Victorian State Government and the Minister for State and Regional Development, The Hon John Brumby MP.
The authors have based this report on information acquired from a variety of sources including personal interviews and third party reports. Any claims made have been taken in good faith and the information has not necessarily been verified at its source. The information is used to present a view from the marketplace and to inform the recommendations of this report. Atholl Pty Ltd does not make any representations or warranties (express or implied) as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this report. Atholl Pty Ltd does not accept any liability for the use of information that is presented in this report.
The project was conducted between July 2005 and September 2005.
ContactAtholl Business Consulting Level 8, 350 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone 9574 7551 Email: [email protected]
BioCouncils AllianceMApping the Life CyCLe of BioteChnoLogy CoMpAnies
how to create local jobs and investment from Victoria’s biotechnology company activities.
september 2005
1 ExecutiveSummary 5
2 ObjectivesandMethodology 112.1 TheBrief 112.2 AreasofInvestigation 112.3 InterviewsConducted 12
3 UnderstandingBiotechnologyCompanies 133.1 SnapshotofVictorianBiotechnologyCompanies 133.2 TheChallengeofJoblessGrowth 153.3 TheDrugDevelopmentandRegulatoryApprovalProcess 163.3.1 TheRewardstoBiotechnologyCompanies 173.3.2 TheRisksofDrugDevelopment 183.3.3 TheCostofDrugDevelopment 19
4 LifeCycleAnalysisofBiotechnologyCompanies 214.1 HighLevelLifeCycleModel 214.2 DrugDiscoveryandDevelopment 234.3 MedicalDiagnosticProducts 284.3.1 PharmacogenomicsandTargetedDiagnostics 294.4 AgriculturalBiotechnologyProducts 304.5 BioActiveProducts 324.6 BioFuels 344.6.1 ProductionandProcessingofBioActives 354.6.2 BarrierstoBioActivesIndustryDevelopment 354.7 ComplementaryMedicines 374.7.1 BarrierstoComplementaryMedicinesIndustryDevelopment 39
5 ExpansionSpaceForVictorianBiotechnologyCompanies 415.1 LocationConsiderations 415.2 FutureSpaceRequirements 425.3 AttributesofFacilities 435.4 OccupancyCostsandLocationDecisions 445.5 CapitalEfficiency 465.6 PrecinctDevelopment 475.7 DesignOfExpansionSpace 48
6 DiscussionandRecommendations 496.1 IndustryFeedbackontheRoleofLocalGovernment 496.2 TheRationaleForLocalGovernmentIntervention 506.2.1 ExistingBiotechnologyCompaniesandtheRoleofLocalGovernment 506.2.2 EmergingBiotechnologyCompaniesandtheRoleofLocalGovernment 516.3 TheRoleoftheBioCouncilsAlliance 526.4 OverviewoftheCapabilitiesandInterestsofSpecificMunicipalities 546.4.1 CityofMelbourne 546.4.2 CitiesofHumeandWhittlesea 556.4.3 CitiesofMonashandKnox 566.4.4 CityofWyndham 576.5 FrameworkForAction 58
7 Appendix1.SpecificInterestsofCouncils 61
8 Appendix2.DefinitionsandTypesofCompaniesInterviewed 63
9 Appendix3.CostingModelsForExpansionSpace 75
tABLe of Contents
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BiotechnologyisanindustryofthefutureandVictoriahasagoaltobecomeoneofthetopfivebiotechnologylocationsinternationally.Thisreportexaminesthevaluechainofthebiotechnologysectorandthelifecycleofbiotechnologycompanies.Itdoessobecausethissectorhassomeveryuniquecharacteristics.Attheheartofthematterliesasimplequestion;‘How do we create local jobs and investment from Victoria’s emerging biotechnology company sector?’
ThisreportfindsthatthereareopportunitiesforlocalgovernmentinterventionandtheBioCouncilsAlliancecan;
• HelpincreasethesizeanddepthofexistingVictorianbiotechnologycompaniesengagedindrugdiscoveryanddevelopment;and
• Stimulatecompanyactivityinemergingbiotechnologyareas(BioActiveplants,BioFuels,TargetedDiagnosticsandComplementaryMedicines).ThesenewfieldshavethepotentialtoattractarangeofnewjobsandinvestmentatmanypointsinthevaluechainandtheyalignwithVictoria’straditionaleconomicstrengths.
Individualcouncilshavelongbeensupportersofbiotechnologyindustrydevelopmentandeachhascertaincapabilitiesandlocationadvantages.ThisreportexploresthepossibilitiesofworkinginacooperativewaythroughtheBioCouncilsAlliance.Thismodelofcollaboratingtocompetewouldenablecouncilstopoolresourcesforoveralleconomicdevelopmentadvocacywhilespecialisinginspecificindustryniches,suchasmedical,agricultural,environmentalorindustrialbiotechnology.
ThisreportwascommissionedbecauseBioCouncilsAlliancememberswerekeentounderstandtherealneedsofbiotechnologycompaniesbylearningmoreabouttheirgrowthpatternstodeterminewheresupportshouldbetargetedtoassistinattractingandretainingthesecompanies.Thisprojectwasrequiredtocharttherequirementsofabiotechnologyorganisationthroughitsentirelifecycle,effectivelymappingitsvaluechain(includingallaspectsofitsgrowth,itsoperations,supplyanddistribution).Thisreport;
• Identifiesgapsinlevelsofsupportandinfrastructure;
• Analysestrendsacrossthepoolofbusinessesreviewed;and
• Highlightsopportunitiesforcouncilinvolvementasorganisationsmightseethem.
Atotaloffiftyorganisationsorpersonswereinterviewedforthisreport.Thereweresixteenoperatingbiotechnologycompanies,eightcompaniesdirectlyinvolvedinthesupplychain,threeventurecapitalinvestors,nineindustryexperts,sixuniversityexperts(RMIT,LaTrobe,Monash,Melbourne)andeightinterviewswithgovernmentagenciesincludingtheDepartmentofIndustry,InnovationandRegionalDevelopment(DIIRD)andtheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries(DPI).
1 eXeCUtiVe sUMMARy
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LifeCycleAnalysisofExistingBiotechnologyCompaniesWeanalysedthelifecycleofVictoria’sexistingbiotechnologycompaniesandfoundthatthemajorityareinvolvedinthediscoveryandearlystagecommercialdevelopmentofdrugs,vaccinesanddiagnostics.Thesecompaniestypicallyaimtotakeproductcandidatesfromthediscovery/pre-clinicalphasetolatePhaseIIregulatoryapproval(thesephasesareexplainedinSection3.3).VeryfewcompaniesinterviewedforthisreporthaveintentionsoftakingproductsintoPhaseIIIorbeyond.ThatsteprequiresaresourcebasethatisgenerallybeyondthereachofbiotechnologycompaniesbasedinAustralia.
ThereisawidelyheldviewbythesecompaniesthatVictoriaisanexcellentplaceforcommercialproductdevelopmentaswellasscienceand,ifatallpossible,wouldpreferthattheircoreactivitiesremainhere.Thisprojectvalidatedthatthereisaclearandstrongdemandforexpansionspacefromthesebiotechnologycompanies.Ithasalsovalidatedthatmanyofthesecompanieswouldprefertobeco-locatedandthatthepreferredlocationisParkvilleorsurroundingareas.WefoundthattheCity of Melbourneiswellplacedasalocationfortheconsolidationofcommercialactivityrelatedtodrugdiscoveryanddevelopment.
Biotechnologycompaniesareveryintensiveusersofhighlyskilledknowledgeworkersandusecapitalintensivefacilitiesandequipment.Astheygrowtheyarelikelytoreinvestintoexpandingtheirproductrangebytakingmoreproductcandidatesthroughtheirdevelopmentpipeline.Thisgrowthwillattractjobsandinvestmentintechnicalstaffandtechnicalsupplies.Itwillalsohaveabeneficialeffectontheuniversityandresearchinstitutesasasourceofproductcandidates,contractresearch,theuseofhighlyspecialisedequipment,andthesupplyofgraduates(typicallyMastersandPhDlevel)inchemistryandlifesciencesdisciplines.Therewillalsobeaflowoneffecttosuppliersandadviceproviders.
Thesecompanieswillnotnecessarilycreatedownstreammanufacturingjobsonalargescale.Thatisduetomanyfactors,includingtheglobalstructureofthepharmaceuticalmanufacturinganddistributionsystem,andthelackofdepthofAustraliancapitalmarkets.
AsubsetofthesecompanieswillalsobegintoexploredirectopportunitiesforexpansioninAsia,withaparticularinterestinChina.ThatmayprovideameansforthemtograduallymovedownthevaluechainandestablishthemselvesasproductdevelopmentandmarketingcentresfortheAsiaPacificregion.
Wedevelopedthefollowinglifecyclemodelthatidentifiesthemajorinputsinthevaluechainrelatingtoemploymentandinvestment.
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Wefoundthatmanyoftheinputsinthevaluechainarescaleable,orthebarrierstogrowthareknownandbeingaddressedbyotherlevelsofgovernmentandindustry.Theredoremainbarriersintheprovisionofspecialisedlaboratoryspaceforgrowingcompaniesandintwofundamentalinputs;peopleandcapital.
Oneinterestingissueemergingfromourresearchistherelativedifferenceincapital efficiencybetweeneconomieswithestablishedbiotechnologycompanysectors(suchastheUSA)andeconomieswithemergingbiotechnologycompanysectors(suchasAustralia).
WefoundthatemergingVictoriancompaniesneedtoexpendscarcecashforinfrastructurepaymentssuchaswetlaboratoryfitout,specialisedresources,servicesandequipment,whereascompaniesinestablishedbiotechnologysectorscandevotemoreoftheirscarcecashtopeopleandproductdevelopment.Thatisbecausetheestablishedbiotechnologyeconomieshavespecialisedrealestatedevelopmentsandprecinctincentivesthatenablegrowingcompaniestodeferup-frontcashpaymentsbyusingequityarrangements,pay-asyougomodels,sharedservices,governmentincentivesandloanguarantees.
What can local government do?Localgovernmentcanhelpalleviatethisimbalancebybeinganadvocateandfacilitatorofspecialisedbiotechnologyprecinctdevelopmentsthatareattunedtotheneedsofemerging,cashconstrainedbiotechnologycompanies.Localgovernmentcanbriefdevelopersontheappropriateselectionoflandandlocation,thedesignofbuildings,thewaythefacilitiesarefinanced,andhowbusinessmodelscanbeattunedtotheneedsofemergingcompanies.TheycanhelpcoordinatepotentialtenantstoexploretheuseofsharedservicesandexplorethepotentialforinfrastructuresupportbyStateorFederalGovernments.Localgovernmentcanalsohelpwithzoningandpermitassistanceandassistingcompaniestomakethetransitionintoprecincts.
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LifeCycleAnalysisofEmergingBiotechnologyCompaniesTheglobalbiotechnologyindustryischangingshapedramaticallyasitevolves.Aswellasmedicalbiotechnologythereisthepotentialforindustrydevelopmentinvolvingagricultural,industrialandenvironmentalbiotechnology.
• The Cities of Monash and Knoxarewellplacedasthenaturallocationfortheconvergenceofthefieldsofinformationtechnology,medicalimaging,advancedmanufacturingandnanotechnologyastheyapplytobiotechnology.
• The Cities of Hume and Whittleseaarewellplacedasabaseforprimaryproductionandprocessingofnew,highvalueagriculturalproductsinvolvingbioactivepropertiesandmedicinalherbs(ChineseMedicine/ComplementaryMedicine).
• The City of Wyndhamhastheopportunitytocreateanindustrialbasefortheprocessingandextractionofbiologicalmaterialsthatbecomebiofuelsandbioplastics.
• Therearealsoopportunitiesinfermentationandextractionofactivepropertiesandpilotscaledemonstrationsitesinfoodprocessing.ThatmaybeofinteresttomanyoftheBioCouncilsAlliancememberswhohaveexistingfoodprocessingindustrialbases.
Thejobcreationandinvestmentattractionprospectsoftheseemergingareasarefundamentallydifferenttothatofdrugdiscoveryanddevelopment.Thereisthepotentialtoengagemoreoftheeconomicvalueaddedactivitywithinthisstate.Thiseconomicactivitycanspanfurtherdownthevaluechain,fromdiscoveryanddevelopmentthroughtomanufacturing.Theemploymentbaseispotentiallybroader,fromhighlyqualifiedscientists,engineersandinformationtechnologyprofessionalsthroughtomediumskilledjobsinadvancedmanufacturingaswellasmediumskilledjobsinprimaryproductionandprocessing.
What can local government do?Localgovernmentcanplayastrongadvocacyroleforeconomicdevelopmentinrelationto:
• Drawingattentiontothepossibilitiesoftheseemergingareas,facilitatingtheinteractionofscientists,companies,farmers,investors,customersaswellasStateandFederalGovernmenteconomicdevelopmentagencies.
• Highlightingtheadvantagesofcertainmunicipalitiesashubsforindustrydevelopmentinspecificniches.
• Toensurethatasthesenichesdevelop,thecouncilsareastrongvoicetoensurethatattentionremainsonconvertingscientificoutcomestoactivitiesthatgeneratelocaljobsandinvestment.
RecommendationsAframeworkforactionisdetailedinSection6.5.Therecommendationsspanbothexistingandemergingareasofcommercialactivityrelatedtobiotechnology.Thekeypointsarelistedasfollows;
1. Cooperate in areas of mutual interest
• WorktogetherundertheBioCouncilsAlliancebannertopromotecommoneconomicdevelopmentinterests.
• Specificactivitiesarerecommendedunderthefollowingheadings;economicdevelopmentandindustryadvocacy;collaboratingtocompete;promotingVictoria’scapabilities;hostinginternationaltradeandinvestmentdelegations;engagingalllevelsofGovernment;andremainingengagedwithindustryasitdevelops.
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2. Play an active role in biotechnology precinct and industry hub developments
• Facilitatethedevelopmentofexpansionspaceforbiotechnologycompaniesthroughattractingdevelopers,creatingtherightbusinessmodel,advisingonsiteselection,assistingwithzoning,planningandpermits,andcoordinatingincentives.
• Provideinputtothebuildingdesignofexpansionfacilitiesbyinvestigatingthefeasibilityofshareduseofvideoconferencingandtelecommunications,marketintelligence,informationtechnologysupportandemployeeservices.
• WorkwithGovernmenttostimulatethegrowthofthecomplementarymedicinessectorandpayparticularinteresttoconvertingscientificinterestintolocalinvestmentandjobcreationalongthevaluechain.Remaininvolvedintrialprogramswithgrowers,farminggroups,andotherstocontinuallyencouragecommercialinterestinthissector.
• Takealeadroleincreatingalocalscientific,primaryproductionandindustrialbasefrombiofuelsandbioplastics.AssessthefeasibilityandcompetitivenessofaVictorianbiofuelsandbioplasticsindustrybase.Coordinatethosewithinterestsinthesupplychain.
• Furtherevaluatethepotentialofvalueaddedprocessingofcropswithbioactivepropertiesandthepotentialusesofnewbioreactors.Identifyandengagelocalcompaniesorinvestorstoencouragetheirparticipation.
• Attractcommercialinterestintargeteddiagnostics(pharmacogenomics)byencouragingtheinteractionofcompanies,researchersandinvestorsfrominformationtechnology,medicalimaging,advancedmanufacturingtechnologyandnanotechnologydisciplines.RemainengagedintheSouthEastRegionalDevelopmentplanandtheMonashprecinctplansbeingdevelopedbyDIIRD.
3. Assist with specialist planning permits
• Developoracquireachecklistofplanningpermissions(forexampleGMO,animalhousing)anditemsrequiredfortheestablishmentofaprecinctandforthetransitionofcompaniesintoaprecinct.
4. Work with community attitudes
• Developspecialisationsinparticularniches(forexampledrugdiscovery,diagnostics,agriculturalorindustrialbiotechnology)tobetterunderstandandadviseonindustrymatters.
• Helptochangetheattitudesofexistingindustryparticipantstoadoptnewtechniquesorproducts.
• Providecommunicationsandadvicetolocalcommunitiesregardinganypotentialconcerns.
• Developoracquirecommunicationsmaterialsrelevanttoindustrydevelopmentandcommunityconcerns.
5. Provide information on suitable premises
• Councilsmaydecidetolimittheiradviceonlytonichesaligningwiththeirspecificinterests.
Theaboveactionswillhelptoensuresufficientattentionispaidtopracticalmeasuresthatattractandretainthetypeofcompaniesthatarebestplacedtoinvestlocallyandemploylocally.Aswellasdirectbenefitstomunicipalities,therearebroaderbenefitstotheState.ThecollaborativeapproachoftheBioCouncilsAlliancewillcontributetobuildingadiversifiedeconomicbasefromtheState’sbiotechnologycapabilities,balanceitseconomicrisksandgaingreaterleveragefromitsscienceandtechnologyinfrastructure.
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2 oBjeCtiVes And MethodoLogy
2.1TheBriefThebriefstatedthatthereiswidespreadanecdotalevidenceofgapsintheprovisionofinfrastructureandsupportservicesforgrowingbiotechcompaniesintheMelbourneregion.ThemembersoftheBioCouncilsAlliancewerekeentounderstandtherealneedsofthesecompaniesbylearningmoreaboutthegrowthpatternsofbiotechorganisationswithintheirmunicipalitiestodeterminewheresupportshouldbetargetedtoassistinattractingandretainingthesecompanieswithinthemunicipalitiesoftheBioCouncilsAlliance.
Alliancememberswereconcernedthatsuchbarrierstogrowthmaycauseorganisationstofailtoreachtheirpotentialwithintheirdesiredtimeframes,forcingthemtorelocatefromtheirmunicipalities,fromthestateorfromthecountryentirely,ortofailasabusiness.
Thisprojectwasrequiredtocharttherequirementsofabiotechnologyorganisationthroughitsentirelifecycle,basedprimarilyoncompaniesinmunicipalitiescoveredbytheBioCouncilsAlliance,effectivelymappingitsvaluechain(includingallaspectsofitsgrowth,itsoperations,supplyanddistribution).
Theproject:
• Identifiesgapsinlevelsofsupportandinfrastructure,
• Analysestrendsacrossthepoolofbusinessesreviewed,and
• Highlightsopportunitiesforcouncilinvolvementasorganisationsmightseethem.
TheprojectisbasedoncasestudysamplesofMelbourne’sbiotechnologyorganisationsthatweresurveyed,withtheirneedsandrequirementsdetailedandanalysed.
2.2AreasofInvestigationTheprimaryfocusofthisreportistoinvestigatethepotentialforjobcreationandinvestmentattraction.Forthatreasonwehaveadoptedaflexibleapproachtodefiningbiotechnology.InthisreportweexploredthefollowingareasbasedontheirrelevancetotheBioCouncilAlliancemembers.
• Wesoughttointerviewcompaniesorexpertsinthemedicalsector,primarilythoseindrugdiscoveryanddevelopment,butalsothoseinvolvedindiagnosticsandvaccines.
• Wesoughttointerviewcompaniesorexpertsintheagriculturalandindustrialfieldsassociatedwithbiotechnology.Thatincludedcropproduction(bothusinggeneticallymodifiedorganismsandusingtraditionalselectivebreeding),andthoseinvolvedingrowingplantsfortheextractionofspecificproperties,includingpharmaceuticals,nutraceuticals(foodsthatactasmedicines),plastics,renewablefuels,andchemicalsforindustrialandfoodprocessing.
• WesoughtexpertsinthefieldofMedicinalHerbs,whichisalsoknownasChineseMedicineorComplementaryMedicine.Thisfieldrelatestoboththemedicalsector(becauseoftheirpotentialtherapeuticapplications)butalsototheagriculturalsector(becauseofthepotentialforlocalcropproduction,processingandformulationofherbaltreatments).
• Wealsoexploredmanyofthekeyinputsofthevaluechain,thatincludesthesupplyoffinance,skills,informationtechnology,diagnosticdevices,chemicalsandreagents,laboratoryfacilities,short-runmanufacturingofdrugsandcelltherapiesfortrialpurposes,andarangeofexpertservices.
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2.3InterviewsConductedThebriefcalledforbetween40-45interviewsforthisproject.Intheendatotalof50organisationsorpersonswereinterviewed,aswellasindividualinterviewswitheachofthesixparticipatingcouncils.Theresponseratewasveryhighat96%.Onlytwoorganisationsthatwereoriginallyapproacheddeclinedtocomment.Themajorityoftheseinterviewswerefacetoface,withfivebeingtelephoneinterviews.ThefollowinginterviewswerecompletedandfulldetailsoftheintervieweescanbefoundinAppendix2.
• Thereweresixteenoperatingbiotechnologycompaniesinterviewed.Companieswereselectedforinterviewbecausetheywereidentifiedtohaveactivelyexpandingbusinesses.
• Therewereeightoperatingcompaniesthataredirectlyinvolvedinthesupplychainforbiotechnologycompanies.Theyincludepharmaceuticalmanufacturingattheproductdevelopmentstageandtheon-marketstage,anorganisationinvolvedinsupportinghumanclinicaltrials,anorganisationthathasthepotentialtosupportfieldtrialsforcrops,acompanywithsignificantexpertiseandinterestsindevelopingfacilitiesforbiotechnologycompanies,andtwocompaniesinvolvedinhighvaluemedicaldevices.
• Therewerenineindustryexpertsinterviewed,eachprovidingaspecificperspectiveonthelifecycleofbiotechnologycompanies.
• Therewerethreeventurecapitalorganisationsinterviewed,eacharerecognisedleadersinthebiotechnologysector.
• Sixinterviewswereconductedwithuniversities,exploringareasoffutureresearchthathaveindustrydevelopmentpotential,andtoidentifytheircurrentinterestsinwetlabspaceandbiotechnologyprecinctdevelopment.
• Therewereeightinterviewswithgovernmentagencies.TheinterviewsrangedfromlongtermindustrydevelopmentpolicythroughtothedirectionofparticularscientificprojectsconductedwithinGovernmentdepartments.
SixcompanieshadoriginallybeeninterviewedbytheBioMelbourneNetworkforarelatedprojectthatisbeingconductedonbehalfoftheCityofMelbourne.Theexpansionspacerequirementsofthesecompanieswereaddedtothisproject’sdatapool.Thesecompanieswerethenaskedfollowupquestionsrelatingtotheirlifecycle,locationchoice,futureopportunitiesandviewsonCouncilservices,whichwerespecifictothisproject.
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Thissectionprovidesthereaderwithanunderstandingofthecommercialdynamicsofthebiotechnologyindustry.ThefirstpartcharacterisesVictorianbiotechnologycompanies.Thenextpartdescribestheproductdevelopmentandregulatoryapprovalprocessesthatbiotechnologycompaniesfollow.Ithighlightssomeofthekeyconsiderationsfacingindividualcompaniesandtheindustryasawhole.Itisbasedondeskresearchusinggenerallyknownindustrymodels.Thefinalpartoutlineswherebiotechnologycompaniesfitinthevaluechain.Itillustratesvaluechainsfordifferentproductcategories(drugdevelopment,diagnostic,foodproduction,animalproduction,bioactives,andcomplementarymedicines).Itthenshowsthesimilaritiesanddifferencesforeachvaluechain.Thesevaluechainmodelsweredevelopedspecificallyforthisprojectandvalidatedduringtheindustryinterviews.
3.1SnapshotofVictorianBiotechnologyCompaniesAustraliaisthe5thlargestbiotechnologycentre(basedonthenumberofcompanies)aftertheUSA,Canada,GermanyandtheUK,with233companies1.Thisisupfrom6thin2004.
VictoriaistheleadingbiotechnologycentreinAustralia,ithosts;
• 39%ofallAustralianbiotechcompaniesincludingCSL(withthelargestmarketcapitalisation)
• 54%ofAustralia’stopASXlistedhealthcareandbiotechcompanies
• 60%ofallbiomedicalresearch(companiesandinstitutes)
• 30%ofCSIRO’sbiotechnologyactivity
• MajorscientificinfrastructureincludingBio21,theSynchrotronandtheAustralianStemCellCentre
ThemajorityofexistingVictorianbiotechnologycompaniesareinvolvedinthediscoveryanddevelopmentofdrugs,diagnosticsandvaccines.
Australianbiotechnologycompaniesaresmallenterprises2
• 115withlessthan6employees
• 50with6-10employees
• 55with10-20employees
Australianbiotechnologycompaniesareyouthfulenterprises3
• 47%arelessthanthreeyearsold(asofmid2003)
Asanexampleofthetypeofemployees,oneCEOcharacterisedhisworkforceasfollows:“Wehaveahighlyeducatedworkforce.Weemployover40people,allbutthreehaveauniversitydegree.Therearemorethan20scientists,mainlychemistsandpharmacists,oftheseatleast10havePhD’s.”
AlthoughAustraliahasalargenumberofcompanies,theyaresmallincomparisontocompaniesintheUSAandEurope.AcomparisonbytheAustralianGraduateSchoolofManagement4ofinitialpublicofferings(IPO)highlightsthesizedifference.
3 UndeRstAnding BioteChnoLogy CoMpAnies
1 Source:BioMelbourneNetwork2 Source:Ausbiotech3 Source:Ausbiotech4 “NewBiotechsfacemixedfuture.”ProfMichaelVitaleandDavidSpurling.AGSMSeptember2003
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Table 1: Characteristics of Australian Biotech IPO
Characteristics at IPO (in $AU Millions)
ASX Non-biotech IPO
ASX Biotech IPO
U.S. Biotech IPO5
Amountraised 28.3 10.5 113
MarketCapitalisation 69.1 39.2 500
%ofthefirmsold 41.8% 31.7% 22.7%
ThetablehighlightstheissuethatAustralianfirmsraisefarsmalleramountsofcapital,arevaluedlessandneedtosellmoreoftheirequitytoattractinvestorfunding.ThecomparisonwasdoneonbiotechnologyIPObetween1998and2002.Themarketdoesfluctuateconsiderablyyear-on-year,and$20M+IPOhavebecomemorecommonsincethen.
ThefollowingtableillustratestherelativedifferencesinsizeoffinancingroundsbetweenanAustralianandaUSbiotechnologycompany.Ithighlightsthedifferenceinthescaleoffinancingavailableforlocalcompanies.
5 Thetablewasoriginallypublishedin$US,convertedto$AUat0.75foralike-for-likecomparison.6 Reproducedfrom“SustainingtheVirtuousCycle”.InvestmentReviewofHealthandMedical
Research.2004P123
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3.2TheChallengeofJoblessGrowthVictoriahasaverystrongscienceandtechnologyinfrastructurebasebecauseofitsleadinguniversitiesandresearchinstitutions.Wehavealsowitnessedadramaticgrowthinthenumberofsmallbiotechnologycompaniescreatedoverthepastdecade.Thedilemmaisthatitispossibletocreateanoutwardlysuccessfulbiotechnologysector,butnotmaximisetheopportunitiesforlocaleconomicactivity.Thechallengeforlocalgovernmentistoidentifyandcreatetheconditionsthatencouragelocaljobsandinvestments.
Victoria’sbiotechnologysectorispartofalarge,highriskandexpensiveproductdevelopmentprocessthatisconductedonaglobalscale.Thevaluechains,whetherinagriculture,foodormedicine,fitwithinrecognisedregulatoryregimes,(forexampletheUSFoodandDrugAdministrationortheAustralianTherapeuticGoodsAdministration).Standardisationmeansthatindividualactivitiesinthevaluechaincanbecarriedoutalmostanywhereintheworldandcombinedintoasinglefinishedproduct.Abiotechnologycompanycan,attheextreme,behighlyvirtual,operatefromasmallcorporateofficeandcontract-inbestofbreedscientificandcommercialservicesfromaroundtheworld.
TheimplicationisthatdownstreamjobsandinvestmentswillnotautomaticallyflowfromVictoria’sscienceandtechnologyinfrastructure.Ithelpsifweunderstandthattheprimarymotivationsofourresearchersandcompaniesarenotdirectedtowardjobsandinvestmentfurtherdownthevaluechain.
• Alocalcancerpatientdoesnotknoworperhapscarewhereanewdrugwasdeveloped,providedthatitworksanditisthebestavailableintheworld.
• Alocalcancerresearchercaresmostaboutfindingwaystocombatcancer.Ifanewdiscoveryismade,theresearcherismoreconcernedaboutthemosteffectivesequenceinthevaluechaintotakethisdiscoverythroughregulatoryapprovalandintopracticalapplication.Theinvolvementoflocalcompaniesispreferred,butitisnottheprimarymotivationofacancerresearcher.
• Theprimarymotivationofalocalbiotechnologycompanyistocreateshareholdervalue.Theirpurposeisoftentocreatecapitalgainthroughthedevelopmentandaccumulationofintellectualproperty.Theycancreatevaluethroughgeneratingroyaltyincomes,notnecessarilyfromthemanufactureandsaleoffinishedproduct.ThedownstreameconomicactivitiesthatleadtogreaterjobsandinvestmentmaynotnecessarilyhappeninAustralia,andtheydonotneedtohappentocreateshareholdervalue.
Thisisaveryimportantprojectbecause,beinginterestedonlyinlocaljobsandinvestmentitprovidesaverypowerfullenswithwhichtoviewourbiotechnologysector.Outoftheentirebiotechnologysector(thatincludesgenetic,traditional,medical,foodandindustrial)wewanttoknowwhataspectsaremostlikelytogeneratelocaljobsandinvestment.Wearetheninterestedtoknowiflocalgovernmentcanassistinattractingandretainingthecompaniesthatwillmakethishappen.
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3.3TheDrugDevelopmentandRegulatoryApprovalProcessThefollowinggraphichighlightsthestepsinvolvedfromdiscoverytoapprovedmarketingofanewdrug.Itintroducestheconceptofdevelopmentphases,whichisusedextensivelythroughoutthisreport.Themainpointsofnoteare;
• Ittakesaverylongtimefromdiscoveryuntilaproductisonthemarket;
• Itisastandardised,regulatedprocess.Complianceisveryimportanttoensuresuccessandalsotoattractinvestment;
• Thedrugdevelopmentprocesscanbebrokenintodiscretephasesandmorethanonecompanycanbeinvolvedinthepathfromdiscoverytomarket.
Acompoundisfirstdiscoveredthroughscientificresearchthatoftenoccursinauniversityoraresearchinstitution.Ifthereiscommercialpotentialitwillthenbepatentedandthecandidatetakenthroughthepre-clinicalphase.Acompanytypicallybecomesinvolvedatthisstage,itiseitherastart-upcompanyoranexistingcompanyworkinginalliancewiththeresearchers.Duringthepre-clinicalstagesofdrugdevelopment,investigatorshavetoproduceacomprehensivesetofdataregardingdrugsafety(toxicology)andactivity(efficacy).Thisisachievedbytestingtheeffectofthedruginlivingorganisms(invivo)andincellsinthetesttube(invitro).Resultsofalltestingmustbeprovidedtoregulatoryagenciesforreview.
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Thenextphasesaretheclinical trials.Movingdrugdevelopmenttothehumantrialstagerepresentsaseriesofmajormilestonesforadrugdeveloper.ClinicaltestingusuallyconsistsofPhaseI,PhaseIIandPhaseIIIclinicalstudies.
• PhaseIClinicalStudies:Theseareshorttermstudiesdesignedtoverifysafetyandtolerabilityofthecandidatedruginhumans.Theprimaryfocusissafety.
• PhaseIIClinicalStudies:Theydeterminetheeffectivenessofthedrugandfurtherstudyitssafetyinhumans.Atthispointworkisdonetotestdosagerangesandrelativeeffectiveness.
• PhaseIIIClinicalStudies:PhaseIIIstudiesprovidelongtermtestingofeffectivenessandsafetyofthedrug,preferablyusingthedrugasitwillbepreparedinthefinalmanufacturingprocess.Testingisusuallyconductedoveratleastayearwithseveralhundredpatientstoprovideconclusivestatisticalconfirmationofthequalityofthedataandisthereforeexpensive.Marketingproposals,largescalemanufactureandalltheotherelementsneededformarketreleaseareusuallyorganisedatthesametimePhaseIIIstudiesareunderway.
• Post-marketstudies:Inaddition,hospitalbasedclinicalresearchfrequentlystudiesdrugsthatarealreadyapproved,butfornewindications,ornewcombinationsofdrugstoprovidebettertreatmentsfordisease.
3.3.1TheRewardstoBiotechnologyCompanies
Thefollowinggraphicillustratestherewardstobiotechnologycompaniesastheyreachvariousmilestonestages.ItshowsthataVictoriancompanycanearnimmediatemilestonepaymentsofmanymillions,plusfutureroyaltiesonsalesiftheproductreachesthemarket.
7 Basedon2003dealsforsmallmoleculepharmaceuticals.
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Thekeypointsarethat;
• Giventhattheproductsareaimedatglobalmarkets,theworldwidesalesrevenuescanbeinthebillionsandtheroyaltystreamsinthehundreds of millions;
• Tocreatevalue,aVictorianbiotechnologycompanydoesnotneedtomanufactureandselladrugitself,norevenearnanysalesrevenuesdirectly;
• Ateachmilestoneitispossibletolicensetheintellectualpropertytoalargeinternationalpharmaceuticalorbiopharmaceuticalcompany(providedthatthecandidatehascommercialpotential);
• AformallyannouncedlicensingdealhasthepotentialtohaveadramaticimpactonthevaluationoftheVictorianbiotechnologycompany;theirrewardiscapitalgain,notearningsonproductsales;
• Thefurtherdownthedevelopmentpaththegreatertherewardacompanycanearn.Victoriancompanieswillattempttofundthedevelopmentofdrugsasfardowntheapprovalphasesastheycanafford.Victoriancompaniescan,atbest,affordtofundacandidatetolatePhaseIIdevelopmentbeforeexhaustinglocalsourcesofcapital;
• ThisprojectvalidatedthelocalmarketviewthatthepreferredpointoflicensingisatlatePhaseII,priortoenteringPhaseIIItrials.Licensingdealscanalsobedoneatearlierphasesifthecandidateisofparticularinteresttoalicensee,howeverthetermsmaybelessattractive.
3.3.2TheRisksofDrugDevelopment
Thefollowinggraphicillustratestherisksinvolvedindrugdevelopment.Thekeypointsare:
• Thereisaveryhighfailurerate;withonlyonesuccessfuldrugforevery10,000compoundsidentified.
• Failureratescontinuethroughouttheregulatoryapprovalstages.
• Manybiotechnologycompaniesstartwithsmallportfoliosofdrugcandidates;somehaveonecompound,manyhavelessthanfivecompounds.Giventhefailureratesof250compoundsenteringthepre-clinicalphaseforeveryonesuccess,itmeansthatasignificantproportionofthesecompanieswillfail.Thatdefinesthedynamicsofthebiotechnologycompanysector.Atanypointintime,newcompaniesarebeingformedwhileothersaremerging,disbandingorrestructuring.
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8 Thepriceofinnovation:newestimatesofdrugdevelopmentcosts.JosephADiMasi,RonaldWHansen,HenryGGrabowski.JournalofHealthEconomics.2003Mar;22(2):325-30
3.3.3TheCostofDrugDevelopment
Drugdevelopmentisaveryexpensiveprocess.AlandmarkstudybymembersoftheTuftsCentrefortheStudyofDrugDevelopment8concludedthatin2001adrugcompanytypicallyspent$US802Millionover10to15yearstogetasuccessfulproducttomarket.The$US802M($AU1,070M)takesintoaccountthecapitalisedcostoffailuresalongtheway,aswellasthecostofthesuccessfulcandidate.Thedevelopmentcostofeachindividualcandidatemayrangebetween$US96M($AU128M)to$US130M($AU173M).However,itisimportanttorealisethat,insimplifiedterms,companieswilloftenmanageaportfoliooffourorfiveofthesecandidatesinordertohaveonesuccess.
ThefollowinggraphicillustratestheresultsoftheTuftsstudyandcomparesittoearlierstudies,showingthedramaticincreaseincostsfrom1979to1991to2003.Thecostsofclinicaldevelopmenthavebeenamajorcontributingfactortothisincrease.
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Thecostsofdrugdevelopmenthavecontinuedtoescalatesincethis2003studywaspublished.AtthemostrecentinternationalBio2005conferenceinPhiladelphiaUSAitwasnotedbymanyspeakersthatthecostestimatesnowtypicallyexceed$US1Billion.
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Inthissectionweexpandthelifecyclemodelindifferentcontexts,showingthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweendrugdevelopment,diagnosticdevelopment,agriculturalbiotechfoodproduction,bioactivepropertiesandcomplementarymedicines.Wewillalsoexplorethebroadsupplychainissuesassociatedwiththelifecycleandwhetherthereareanymajorgapsorbarriersinthesupportinginfrastructurethatneedtobeaddressed.
4.1HighLevelLifeCycleModelThefollowinglifecyclemodelwasdevelopedforuseininterviewsrelatingtothisproject.Itpresentsasimplifiedseriesofstepsinthelifecycleofabiotechnologycompany,whichisessentiallyaverylongproductdevelopmentandapprovalprocess.Oneimportantfeatureofthebiotechnologysectoristhatitisrareforallofthesestepstobeconductedentirelywithinonecompany;itisactuallyaseriesofstepspassedonfromonecompanytothenext.
TherearemanyexceptionstothefollowingscenariobuttheoverallpatternishighlytypicalofthelifecycleofaVictorianbiotechnologycompany.ItisconsistentwiththebusinessprofilesofthecompaniesasoutlinedinAppendix2andwasvalidatedintheinterviewswithlocalcompanyCEOs.
1. Discovery.Thebasicresearchistypicallycarriedoutinauniversityorresearchinstitute.Therearealsocaseswheretheresearchisconductedinprivatecompaniesand/orlicensedin.Inthetransitiontothecommercialstagetheintellectualpropertyistransferredintoacorporateentity.Itisnotuncommonfortheoriginalresearcherstotakeanactiveroleinthecompanyandfollowtheresearchthroughitsearlycommercialdevelopmentstages,asboardmembers(mainboardorscientificadvisoryboard),asR&DDirectorsorasCEOs.
2. Product Development.Thecommercialisationentitycouldbeasinglepurposestart-upcompanyoranexistingcompanyaddingtoitsproductrange.Someofthecompaniesinterviewedwereoriginallyspin-offcompaniesfromuniversities, researchorganisationsandcooperativeresearchcentres.Therearealsoinvestmentcompaniesthathaveaninvestmentvehicle,suchasapooleddevelopmentfund,andtheydevelopaportfolioofoperatingcompanies(forexampleAvexaPDF,StarpharmaPDFandMedicaPDF,whichnoweffectivelyoperatesCytopia).
4 Life CyCLe AnALysis of BioteChnoLogy CoMpAnies
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Thesecompaniesthengothroughaseriesofstagesintheirdevelopmentasacorporateentity.Theymaybeginasprivatecompaniesbackedbyprofessionalinvestorsorventurecapitalists,andtheymaythenlistontheAustralianStockExchangetoaccessmorecapital.Somecompaniesexplorelistingoninternationalstockexchangestopursuemorecapital(forexampleGeneticTechnologieshasrecentlylistedontheUSNASDAQStockExchange).AUSlistingprovidesaccesstoadeepercapitalpool,accesstosophisticatedinvestorsandhighercompanyvaluations.Howeveritdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatthecompanywilltransferitsoperationsoverseas.AcommonmodelisforacompanytoretainitsresearchandproductdevelopmentactivitiesinAustraliaandopenanofficeintheUSAand/orEuropeforbusinessdevelopmentpurposes.
3. Partnerships.Thenextstageofthelifecycleistypicallyanalliancewithalargercompanythathasgreaterresourcesandglobalreach.Thatistraditionallythroughproductlicensingwithalargepharmaceuticalcompany(‘BigPharma’–e.g.Merck,GSK,Pfizer,BMS,EliLilly).HoweverBiotech-to-BiotechdealsarebecomingmoreprevalentassomeoftheoriginalUSbiotechnologycompaniesarenowaslargeasthetraditional‘BigPharma’companies(forexampleGenentechandAmgen).Thislargercompanymaytaketheproductallthewaytothemarket,oritmayfundthePhaseIIIstageandthenon-licensetoyetanothercompany.Thismulti-stagemodelhasbeenusedpreviouslyinAustralia,whereCSLlicensedtherightstoaHPVvaccinefromtheUniversityofQueenslandandsubsequentlyon-licensedthevaccinetoMerck.
ThefollowinggraphicsummarisesthelifecycleofatypicalVictorianbiotechnologycompanyinvolvedindrugdiscoveryanddevelopment.ThegreenshadedareasindicatewhereeconomicactivityismorelikelytooccurinVictoria,theredshadedareasindicatewhereeconomicactivityismorelikelytooccuroffshore.
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AsoutlinedintheExecutiveSummary,companiesthatbecomesuccessfulwiththeirfirstproductcandidateswillnotnecessarilycontinuetodeveloptheircompaniesfurtherdownthevaluechain.Insteadthesecompaniesaremorelikelytoreinvestintoexpandingtheirproductrangebytakingmoreproductsthroughtheirdevelopmentpipeline.Thesecompaniesareveryintensiveusersofhighlyskilledknowledgeworkersanduseverycapitalintensivefacilitiesandequipment.Theirgrowthwillattractjobsandinvestmentintechnicalstaffandtechnicalsupplies.Itwillalsohaveabeneficialeffectontheuniversitiesandresearchinstitutes,andtherewillalsobeaflowoneffecttosuppliersandadviceproviders.
AsubsetofthesecompanieswillalsobegintoexploredirectopportunitiesforexpansioninAsia,withaparticularinterestinChina.ThatmayprovideameansforthemtograduallymovedownthevaluechainandestablishthemselvesasproductdevelopmentandmarketingcentresfortheAsiaPacificregion.
4.2DrugDiscoveryandDevelopmentThefollowinglifecyclemodeloutlinesthesequenceofeventsinthevaluechainandidentifiesthemajorinputsinthevaluechain.
Themodelhasmanydimensions,asseeninthefollowingfigure.Whiletherearestepsinplacefortheclinicaltesting,therearealsoparallelstepsbeingconductedintheindustrialisationoftheproduct;inotherwordshowitwillbedeliveredinthebodyandhowitwillbemanufacturedasaproduct.
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Earlystageclinicaltrials,whilsttheymayenrolasmallnumberofpatientsstillrequiresubstantialmanufacturingrunstoproduceallofthematerialrequiredtosatisfythetrialandregulatoryrequirements.Forexample,astudyinvolving40patientsmayrequireatleast400lotsofproductintheirfinalcontainertosatisfyalloftherequirementsfortestingofproductafterproduction,forthetrialitself,forstabilitystudiesandforretentionsamples(samplesretainedincaseadditionaltestingisrequiredtoaddressproblemsorifnewanalyticaltestsaredeveloped).
PhaseIIItrialsrequiredifferentinfrastructure.Atthispointthedrugsarepreferablytestedinthesameformastheywillbemanufactured.Inmanycases,thismeansthatphaseIIItrialmaterialispreferablymanufacturedinthefacilityinwhichtheywillbecommerciallyproduced.Theyalsorequireaccesstolargescalepatienttrials.
Thefinalphaseinthelifecycleinvolvesmanufacturingtheproductincommercialscale.Thebiotechnologyvaluechainisadirectinputintothepharmaceuticalvaluechain.Biotechnologyisessentiallyanewapproachtodevelopinganexistingproductclass(drugs).Themanufacturing,salesanddistributionnetworksarealreadyinplace,havingbeenbuiltbyglobalpharmaceuticalcompaniesovermanydecades.Victoriancompaniesarelikelytouseoffshoremarketing,salesanddistributionnetworks.
Therearesomeexceptions,somecompaniesdointendtolicense-outtheUSAandEuropeanrightsoftheirproductsbutwillretaintheAsiaPacificorChinarightsforthemselves.Thatwillallowthemtoprogressivelybuilddeeperinfrastructureoverthelongterm.
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Thefollowingtabletakeseachofthemajorinputsinthevaluechain,describestheircharacteristicsanddiscussesanypotentialbarrierstogrowth.
Table 2: Analysis of Elements of the Supply Chain
Element Characteristic Barrierstogrowth
UniversitiesandResearchCentres
Biotechnologycompaniesrelyonuniversitiesandresearchcentresassourcesofnewproductcandidatesandmanybiotechnologycompaniesarespunoutofsuchorganisations.
TherehasbeensignificantfundingofthescienceandtechnologyinfrastructurecapabilitiestosupportbiotechnologyindustrydevelopmentfrombothStateandFederalsources.ForexampletherecentlyopenedBio21Institutehasfacilitiesandresearchprogramsintendedtosupportdrugdiscovery.Althoughtherearealwayscallsformoreresources,theavailabilityofS&Tresearchinfrastructurewasnotidentifiedasamajorbarriertogrowthduringourinterviews.Someuniversitiesarenowcreatingspecialistresearch“Centres”toprovidebettersolutionsforcompanieslookingtotapintouniversitycapabilities.ForexampleRMITDrugDiscoveryTechnologies.
Bioinformatics Theuseofinformationtechnologyhasrisendramaticallyinthebiotechnologysector.Sincethemappingofthehumangenome,therehasbeenawealthofdatathatcanbeanalysedtoaidindrugdevelopmentanddelivery.Therearealsoinformationtechnologycompanieswhoworkonthecollectionandanalysisofgeneticdataandprovideimportantinputsintothedrugdevelopmentprocess.
Thereisaneedforexpansionspaceforbiotechnologycompaniesand,ifsuchspaceistobedesignedproperly,thensufficientconsiderationmustbegiventoinformationtechnologyaspects.Inamodernbiotechnologybuildingorprecinct,informationtechnologyintensivecompanieswillworkbesidewetlabintensivecompanies.Theinfrastructureneedsofeacharequitedifferent,butaprecinctmustbedesignedtocaterforboth.
Animaltestingfacilities
Thesupplyofanimalsforresearchpurposesandanimaltestingfacilitiesisveryimportantinthepre-clinicalphase.Companiesdonotnecessarilyneedtohaveanimalstorageon-sitebutrequirereadyaccesstosuchfacilities.Thesefacilitiesaretypicallyalignedwiththemajorresearchuniversities.
Therewasnoparticularbarriertogrowthidentifiedbecauseofthelackofsupplyofparticularanimalsorofanimalhousingfacilities.Ifaparticularbreedofanimalisnotavailablelocally,biotechnologycompaniescansourcetheseoverseas,orarrangefortestingoverseas.Companiesmayhavetopaymore,butitwasnotratedbyCEOsasamajorimpedimenttogrowthorareasontoleavethestate/country.TheauthorsareawarethatRMIThasrecentlyinvestedinanewfacilityinitsBundooralocationthatisavailableforcorporateuse.TheauthorsarealsoawareofvarioussubmissionstoGovernmentbyuniversitiesforincreasedfundingforanimalhouses.Itisexpectedthatthesefacilitieswillcontinuetogrowasacademicresearchgrows.
Specialisedlaboratories
Eachcompanyhasrequirementsforspecialisedlaboratoryspace.Thatincludeswetlabspace,fumehoods,theprovisionofspecialisedtechnicalequipment,storageofchemicalsanddangerousgoods,andsecureaccess.
Thesefacilitiesareoneofthemajorcapitalexpensecommitmentsofadevelopmentstagebiotechnologycompany.
Therearebarrierstogrowthintheavailabilityofspecialisedlaboratories.ThereisinsufficientlaboratoryspaceavailableinMelbournetomeettheneedsofgrowingbiotechnologycompanies.Thespacemustbedesignedincertainways.Aswellasthespacerequirementstherearealsogapsinhowaccesstothisspaceisfinanced,comparedtohowbiotechnologycompaniesaccessspaceinmajorUSprecincts.Boththefinancingandtheavailabilityofsuitablespaceemergedasbarrierstogrowthinthecompanyinterviews.
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Element Characteristic Barrierstogrowth
Testinglaboratories
Developmentstagebiotechnologycompaniesrequireaccesstoavarietyofexternaltestingservices.
Therewerenomajorbarriersidentifiedthatwouldinhibitthescaling-upoftestingservicesinlinewithbiotechnologycompanygrowth.
Reasonableproximitytotestingservicesisaconsiderationinthelocationdecision.Thesetestingservicesaretypicallylocatedeithernearmajorhospitalsanduniversitiesorneartheairport.Thereisnoparticularbarriertogrowth,providedthatacompanyislocatednearahospital,university,airportorreasonablefreewayaccesspoint.
Cross-industryissuesdoexist.Forexample,NATAcertificationforlaboratoriesisnotnecessarilysufficienttodemonstratethatalaboratorycanundertaketestingofproductdevelopedunderGoodManufacturingPracticestandardsthatisdestinedforclinicaltrials.
Regulatoryadvice Biotechnologycompaniesneedhighqualityadviceonregulatoryapprovalsandcomplianceforbothlocalandtypicallyinternationalstandards.Iftheproducthasnotbeendevelopedinaccordancewithdeterminedstandards(forexampleGoodLaboratoryPractice,GoodManufacturingPractice)thentheregulatoryapprovalisthreatenedandthevalueoftheintellectualpropertyinacommercialdealisalsoatrisk.
Althoughthisisaveryimportantarea,itwasnotseenasabarriertogrowth.ThereareadvisorsavailablelocallyandmanycompanieswillsupplementthiswithspecialistadvisorslocatedintheUSAorEurope.Therewasnoapparentbarrierthatwouldforcecompaniesinterstateoroffshorebecauseoflackofaccesstohighqualityregulatoryadvice.
HumanVolunteers
Humanclinicaltrialsareanimportantpartofthedrugdevelopmentprocess.Itisalsoamajoritemcontributingtothecostofdrugdevelopment.Researchersalwaysneedaccesstopatientpopulationsandsometimesparticularsubsets(forexamplethosewithaparticularconditionorstagesofacondition,thosewithdifferentdemographiccharacteristics).Thesepatientpopulationsmayalsoneedtospandifferentethnicgroups,notallofwhichareavailableinsufficientnumbersinAustralia.
ThereisinfrastructureinplaceandsomeofthemajorinternationalclinicaltrialorganisationsarelocatedinAustralia(forexampleKendleandPPD).TheStateGovernmenthasalsofundedClinicalTrialsinVictoriaandrecentlylaunchedtheCentreforClinicalStudies.
Ifpatientsarenotavailablelocallythentrialscanbecarriedoutinothercountries.Lackofaccesstopatientpopulationsmaynotforcealocalcompanyoverseasbutitmayforcesomeofthespendingoverseas.
TheemergenceofspecialisedPhaseIclinicaltrialcentresisanemergingadvantage.Thesetrialstypicallyrequireintensivemonitoringofstudyparticipants,includingperiodsofconfinement.Previously,thesestudiesweremoreefficientlydoneoverseas.
HospitalsandMedicalCentres
Hospitalsandmedicalcentresarerequiredforavarietyofreasonsincludingaccesstopatientsforclinicaltrials,accesstospecialisedequipmentandaccesstotestingservices.
Therewerenofundamentalbarrierstocompanygrowthduetoanylackofinfrastructureoraccesstohospitalandmedicalcentres.Howeveraccesstohospitalpathologyservicesmaybelimitedinsomesituations.Manypubliclyfundedinstitutionsaresaidtobeoperatingatnearmaximumcapacity.
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Element Characteristic Barrierstogrowth
IntellectualPropertyAdvice
Intellectualpropertyadviceisaveryimportantinputtodevelopmentcompanies.Itisimportantinsecuringinitialpatentprotection,inmaintaininganddefendingpatentrights,forin-licensingintellectualpropertyfromothersources,andforsupportduringlicensingnegotiations.
Althoughanimportantinput,therewasnoidentifiedbarriertogrowthbecauseofanylackofaccesstointellectualpropertyadvice.Inasimilarmodetoregulatoryadvice,biotechnologycompaniesmayuselocallawyersandpatentattorneysandsupplementthatwithspecialisedadvicefromUSandEuropeanfirmsasrequired.
Manufacturing Therearetwotypesofmanufacturingrequirements.
1.)Productsarerequiredtobemanufacturedinsmallquantitiesforthepurposesofdrugdevelopmentandclinicaltrials.Thisistypicallyconductedbyspecialistcompanies.
2.)Onceadrugisapprovedforsalethereistherequirementtomanufacturedrugsoncommercialscalequantitiesunderapprovedconditions.
Therewerenoparticularbarrierstogrowthduetoanylackofmanufacturingcapabilities.
ForproductdevelopmentpurposescompaniescanuseIDT,whichisbasedintheCityofKnox,orusespecialisedsuppliersoverseas.IfthebiotechnologycompanysectorexpandsthereisnoparticularconstrainttoIDTorotherbusinessesalsoexpandingtomeetdemand.
Asforcommercialscalepharmaceuticalproduction,totheextentthatproductisrequiredbylocalbiotechnologycompanies(ifforexampletheyretainAsiaPacificrights)thentherearecontractmanufacturersavailable,suchasSigmaCompany.
Onceaproductismanufactured,itmustbedispensedinacleanenvironment.ThisisadifferentactivitytobulkmanufactureandthereislimitedcapacityinAustralia.Processingfailureatthispointcanleadtothelossofallmanufacturedproduct.
Salesanddistribution
Asmentionedintheprevioussection,thesellinganddistributionactivitiesgenerallyneedtobecarriedoutinthecountrywherethedrugissold.Itislikelytobecarriedoutbyalicensee.
Therewerenoparticularbarrierstogrowthmentioned.Ifcompaniesdointendtoselltheirownproducts,theywouldnaturallyusesalesindistributionassetsineachindividualcountry.Theabilitytoattractinvestmentincommercialscalemanufacturing,salesanddistributionisabarrierpresentedbygeographicreasonsandthehistoricaldevelopmentofthepharmaceuticalindustrythatisnoteasytoovercome.
Rawmaterials:supplies,humanresources,finance
Developmentstagebiotechnologycompaniesareatthebeginningofthevaluechain.Theydonottypicallyrequireanycomplexmanufacturedinputs,andthereforearenotdependentontheseasinputsorbarrierstogrowth.Theycombinerawmaterialssuchaschemicalsandreagentsintoproducts.Thereisnoparticularlackofbasicchemicalsandreagents,theycanbepurchasedlocallyorinternationallyasrequired.
Thereareperennialissuesinthelackofcertain‘soft’infrastructure(people,finance)whichhavebeenoftenreportedonothersurveysofthebiotechnologysector.
Therealbarriersareaccesstoskilledandexperiencedstaffandaccesstocapital.Lackofaccesstoeitheroftheseelementsmayforcecompaniesoffshore.
TheoverallsolutiontotheseissuesisamatterforStateandFederalpolicy(andforindustryaction),aswellasforlocalgovernment.
OnepleasingresultwastheconsistencyofviewheldthatcompanyCEOswouldfarprefertocontinuetobasetheirR&DandproductdevelopmentactivitiesinVictoria.Eveniftheyhadtorelocatethecorporateheadofficeforfinancingreasons,theywouldnotnecessarilyrelocatetheirR&Dactivitiesoffshore.
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4.3MedicalDiagnosticProducts
Humandiagnosticproductsfollowhighlysimilardevelopmentandapprovalstagesastherapeuticproducts.Theirsafetyandefficacyisregulatedbythesameagencies,suchastheTGAandFDA.
Thephysicalformofdiagnosticproductscanvarygreatly.Somearesimplechemicaltests,someusespeciallyconstructeddevicesusingadvancedmanufacturingandnanotechnology,somerelyonhighpowermedicalimaging(oftenassociatedwithinjectableimagingagents)andothersuseinformationtechnologytoanalysegeneticdifferences.
Thegrowthpotentialfromdiagnosticproductsintroducestheopportunitytoengagesupplierswithavarietyofskillsincludinginformationtechnology,microfluidics,advancedmanufacturingandmedicalimaging.Inthisprojecttherewereopportunitiesidentified,particularlyinnanotechnologyandinmedicalimaging.Thefollowingsub-sectionprovidessomebackgroundinformationastowhythisisimportant.
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4.3.1PharmacogenomicsandTargetedDiagnostics
Thetopicofpharmacogenomicshasrisentoprominenceinrecenttimes.Itisalsoknownaspersonalisedmedicine,orasIBMcallsit,InformationBasedMedicine.Therehavebeenanumberofinstancesrecentlywherebyadrughasfailedinthefinalstagesofevaluationbecauseithasnotdemonstratedsufficientefficacyoverapopulationbase.Insimpleterms,itmayonlyhavebeenafewpercentagepointsbetterthanexistingdrugsalreadyonthemarket,oritmayhaveprovenharmfultoasubsetofpatients.Anindividualdrugcandidatemayhavecostacompanyfarinexcessof$US100Mtogetittoitsfinaltrialstagesbeforeitfailed.Itscommercialvalue,atthatpoint,wouldhavelargelyevaporated.
Uponfurtherinvestigationitmaytranspirethatadrugishighlyeffectiveforsomepatients,haslittleeffectonotherpatientsandmaybeharmfulforafew.Theissueofdiagnosticsbecomesextremelyimportantinthiscontext.Ifasubsetofthepopulationcanbeefficientlyidentifiedthenthedrugcanbeprescribedonlytothosewhowillbenefit.Therearemanyimplications;
• Properuseofdiagnosticscanbeanefficientuseofanexpensivedrug,prescribingitonlytothosewhoareknowntobenefit;
• Itcanprovidesavingsinhealthcarecostsbynotprescribingcertaindrugstopeoplewhomayonlybenefitmarginally;
• Thereisasafetybenefitinscreeningoutthosewhocouldbeharmedbyadrug.
Thereissignificantcommercialinterestinpharmacogenomics.Thelargestsingleventurecapitalraisingfor2004wasJazzPharmaceuticals.Theyraised$US250M($AU330M)frominvestorsforastart-upcompany.JazzPharmaceuticalshasnolaboratoriesanddevelopsnodrugs.Jazzselectivelyacquiresdrugsthathave‘failed’andusesarangeofdiagnostictechniquestoexploreifthedrugsareactuallybeneficialinapatientsubsetorcanbemodifiedtobecomeso.Ifsuccessful,Jazzcanmakeadramaticturnaroundinthevalueofthe‘failed’productcandidate,andalsobringatherapeuticbenefittoasegmentofthepopulation.
Diagnostictechniquescanbeusedinmanyways;
• Itmayinvolvesophisticatedinformationtechnologytoanalysethegeneticprofileofanindividualandidentifytheirsuitabilityforaparticulardrug.
• Itmayinvolvebloodtestsorotherbiologicalmarkersthatrelatetoaparticularconditionortreatment.Thatcreatesarequirementforrapidandlowcostdiagnostics.MelbourneCompanyMiniFab(basedintheCityofKnox),forexample,hasusednanotechnologytodevelopa‘labonachip’diagnostic.Invetech(intheCityofMonash)isalsoinvolvedindiagnostictestsandmedicaldevices.
• Itmayinvolvediagnosticimagingtoidentifyrelationshipsbetweenstructureandparticularconditions.Forexample;
- The CRC for Biomedical Imaging(whichisbackedbyinternationalinvestmentfromGE,IBMandPfizer)candemonstratethathighpoweredimagingcanidentifystructuraldifferenceswithincancertumoursthatrespondtospecifictreatments.
- ResearchersattheMelbourne Neuropsychiatry Centrearedevelopingalargeimagingdatabasetobeabletotrackstructuralchangesinthebrainthroughthestagesofonsetofschizophrenia.Thisinformationcouldthenbeusedtotargetdrugdevelopmentandtreatmenttopatentsubgroups.
ThediagnosticfieldcombinesarangeofdisciplinesandtherearestrengthsinVictoriainmanyofthesedisciplines;forexample,informationtechnology,nanotechnology,medicalimaging,medicaldevicesandadvancedmanufacturingtechnology.Scienceandtechnologyinfrastructuresuchasthesynchrotroncanalsoplayanimportantroleindevelopingdiagnostics.
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Therearesignificantopportunitiesforjobsandinvestmentsnotonlyinscientificresearchbutinproductmanufactureandotheractivitiesalongthevaluechain.ForexampleBertholdAustralia,whichhasbeenthedrivingforcebehindtheCooperativeResearchCentre(CRC)forBiomedicalImagingDevelopment,hasattractedinvestmentfromGE,IBMandtheinternationalpharmaceuticalcompanyPfizer,tobeaglobalcentreofexpertiseinbiomedicalimaging.TheCRCwilldevelopverypowerfulimagingequipmentthatwillenhancePET(PositronEmissionTomography)scanners.Thesedevices,ifsuccessful,willbemanufacturedinVictoriaandsoldworldwide.TheCRCisprojectingsalespotentialofoveronedollarswithintenyearsandwillneedamanufacturingsite.ThemostlikelyareasarewithintheCitiesofMonashorKnox,tobenearthesynchrotronandMonashUniversity.
Table 3: Potential for Sales of Manufactured Units and Associated Services from the Biomedical Imaging CRC
Product line Sales by 2010 ($ Million) Sales by 2015 ($ Million)
Radiotracersynthesisunits 10 65
Functionaldetectors 15 375
Pixeldetectors 0 550
Industrialx-raydetectors 10 30
Clinicaltrialincome 30 375
Total 65 1395
Inthetargeteddiagnostics/pharmacogenomicsfield,eachcompanyhasdifferentinfrastructurerequirements.Theydonotnecessarilyrequirespecialisedspacesuchaswetlabs.Theirneedsaresimilartoothercompaniesinvolvedininformationtechnologyandadvancedmanufacturing.TheseneedsarewellcateredforintheMonashandKnoxareas.
Insummary,thereisthepotentialtoencourageaconcentrationoffirmsinthetargeteddiagnosticsectorthathavetheopportunitytoattractlocalandinternationalinvestment,andcreatejobsinresearch,manufacturingandotherrolesacrossthevaluechain.ThereisaroleforlocalgovernmentfacilitationtoacceleratetheconvergenceofbiotechnologycompanieswiththoseinvolvedinIT,advancedmanufacturingandnanotechnologytoencouragetheexplorationofjointopportunities.
4.4AgriculturalBiotechnologyProductsProductdevelopmentandapprovalforfoodproductionfollowssimilarprocessestothatofmedicalproducts,althoughtherearedifferentregulatoryagenciesanddifferentinfrastructureused.Ratherthanclinicaltrials,foodproductsgothroughaseriesoffieldtrials.Thereisastageddevelopmentprocesswherebytheinitialscienceisconductedinawetlab,plantsarethenpropagatedinacontrolledgreenhouseenvironmentandlaterongrowninlargerscalecontrolledfieldtrials.ThereisregulatoryapprovalthroughtheFederalGovernmentOfficeoftheGeneTechnologyRegulator(OGTR)forscientificapprovalandthentheindividualstategovernmentsforapprovalformarketingofGMOproducts.
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CurrentlytheVictoriangovernmenthasamoratoriumpreventingthecommercialreleaseofGMOcropsandthathasdampenedcommercialandinvestorinterestinthisarena.WeconcludethattherearelimitedopportunitiesforinvestmentandjobcreationinrelationtoGMOproductsforfoodconsumptioninVictoria.GMOcropsarebeingrapidlyadopted,particularlyinemergingcountries.China,IndiaandSouthAmericahaveaggressivelyinvestedinGMOcropproductioninrecentyears,asillustratedinthefollowinggraphic.
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IfVictoriaweretobecomeinvolvedinGMOcropproductionforhumanconsumptioninthefuture(whichitmaynot),thenitmaybeatacompetitivedisadvantagetodevelopingnations.TheintroductionoflowcostGMOproduceintotheglobalmarketsmayreduceglobalpricesforspecificproductstothepointthatnon-GMOproductscouldbecometooexpensiveinprice-sensitivecommoditymarkets,leadingtofutureexportfailureofsomenon-GMOAustraliancrops.Thereisanadvocacyrolethatlocalgovernmentcanplaytofindnewopportunitiesforhighvalueagriculturalproductiontoprotectthecurrentemploymentbaseinprimaryproductionandprocessing.
4.5BioActiveProductsThereisanotherrapidlyemergingapplicationofbiotechnologytocropproductionthatislesswellknownbutoffersfargreaterpotentialthanGMOcropsforhumanconsumption.Cropscanbegrownascarriersofparticularproperties(bio-actives)thatcanbeextractedandusedindifferentways,forexample;
• BioMass Conversion Technologiesisinvestigatingthepotentialtoextractmethanolfromstraw,whichisabyproductofVictoria’sgrainsindustry.Thiswouldextractvaluablefuelsfromarenewableresource;
• Plantic Technologieshasbeensuccessfulincommercialisingtheextractionofbiodegradableplasticsfromplants(cornstarch).
Insomeinstancescropsarenaturallybred(forexampleinPlantic’scase),inotherinstancesitispreferabletogeneticallymodifyaplanttoenhanceaparticulartraitorintroduceanewtrait.Ironically,tobaccoisoftenusedasanexampleofacropthatcanbeusedtogrowvaluablevaccinesandothermedicinestotreatavarietyofillnesses.Thegeneticstructureoftobaccoiswellknownanditgrowsasaverybulkycropwhichisidealforproducinghighyieldsofbioactiveproperties.
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BioactivecropproductionfitswithVictoria’sexistingcompetitiveadvantages,skillsandinfrastructure.Theyareveryhighvaluedifferentiated(non-commodity)crops.Theyrelyonhighlevelsofexpertiseandscientificinputintheirdevelopment,production,extractionandprocessing.Thatraisesthepossibilityofarangeofhighvaluejobsandinvestmenttobecreatedalongthevaluechain.ThereisthepotentialtobuildasustainablecompetitiveadvantageasVictoria’soverallpackageofsupportinginfrastructurewouldbedifficulttoreplicateindevelopingcountries.
Thereistheopportunityforjobandinvestmentatmorepointsalongthevaluechain.Whereasindrugdevelopment,itisdifficulttobuildanindustrybeyondtheproductdevelopmentstage,inbio-activesitmaybepossibletoinvolvescientificresearchers,primaryproducers,downstreamprocessorsandmanufacturers.
Thepotentialuseofgeneticallymodifiedmaterialsmayrequiresegregationofassetsinthevaluechain.Thatwillmeancropsaregrowninseparateandcontrolledareasandperhapsalsoseparateinfrastructureforextractionandprocessing.Thatisbothapotentialbarrierandanopportunityforspecialisedassetinvestment.
The‘molecularfarming’market,whichisanothertermforbioactivecropproduction,israpidlydevelopingworldwide.AccordingtotheinternationalmarketresearchfirmFrost&Sullivan9,“Currently,therearenobiopharmaceuticalproductsmanufacturedusingplantmolecularfarminginthemarket,withthefirstproductsanticipatedtoreachthemarketaround2005-06.However,theU.S.marketcouldbeworth$2.20Billionin2011,asthisemergingsectorrapidlygatherspaceaspublicperceptionandtheregulatoryclimateimprove.Growthislikelytooccurfastestbetween2008and2010asmoreproductsenterthemarketandreceiveregulatoryapproval.”
Onelocalbio-activesexamplegivenbyProfessorStalkerofRMITistheproductionofwheatbyVictorianfarmers(orthestrawfromwheat).Doingsowouldenablefarmerstoreceivedramaticallybetterreturnsfortheircrops.Pricesfortraditionalwheatcropsarecurrentlyapproximately$300pertonne($0.30cperkg)atthefarmgate,andstrawabout$150pertonne($0.15cperkg)10.AccordingtoProfStalker,afarmermayexpecttoreceive$10.00perkgfortheirwheatifitisgrownwithbioactiveproperties.Thiswheatcouldthenbeprocessedintoflourandsoldinternationallytochemicalcompaniesatbetween$30.00to$50.00perkg.Thenextstageoftheprocess(purificationandextraction)wouldproduceabioactivepropertythatcouldsellforinexcessof$3,000pergram.
Thebioactivesegmentisalongtermdevelopmentopportunity,itwilltake5to10yearsforanindustrytodevelop.Othercountrieshavebeguntoinvestinthisarena.ForexampletheCanadiangovernmenthasrecentlyannounceda$10Minvestmentinapilotplantforplasticsproductionfromcanolawhichhasbeenmatchedwith$10Minvestmentfromindustry11.TheyhavealsoencouragedtheformationoftheAlbertaBioplasticsNetworkwhichisamulti-institutionalresearchnetworkwhosemandateistoengageinactivitiestopromotetheuseofAlberta’sagriculturalcommoditiesasfeedstockfortheproductionofspecialtychemicalsandpolymers.Thereisalsoanemerginginterestinfibresforpaperproductionduetoaworldwideshortageofpulp.
9 StrategicAnalysisoftheWorldPlantMolecularFarmingMarket.Frost&Sullivan.December21,2004-PubID:MC1073740
10 AreportbyPrimaryIndustriesandResourcesSA.“Strawofhighvaluethisyear.”11April200511 InterviewwithEdPhillipchuckfromAlbertaAgriculture,FoodandRuralDevelopment.
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4.6BioFuelsBioFuels,thegenerationofenergyfromrenewablebiologicalsourcematerials,isanotheremergingopportunityareaforVictoria.ThereisinvestmentactivityalreadyoccurringwithAxiom EnergyannouncinganASXfloatinAugust2005toraise$37.6M.ThiswillbeusedtopurchaseanexistingplantinLaverton(CityofWyndham)thatproduces10millionlitresp.a.ofbiodieselfromwastecookingoilandexpandittoacapacityof100millionlitres.
Thereisalsoactivityinotherstates.Natural Fuels,acompanyinDarwin,isinvesting$75MtobuildAustralia’sbiggestbiodieselplanttomakefuelfrompalmoil.ThefacilityisexpectedtobecompletedinSeptember2006andproduce130,000tonnesperannumoffuel.
Thescientificandcommercialinvestmentinbiofuelsisgrowingrapidlyinternationallythroughapowerfulcombinationofeconomic,environmentalandpoliticalreasons.ADecember2004report“GrowingEnergy:HowBiofuelsCanHelpEndAmerica’sOilDependence,”12outlinedaplanforgovernmentinvestmentofUS$1.1Billionforresearch,developmentandconstructionofdemonstrationprojectsinadditiontoapproximately$US800Millionfordevelopmentofbiofuelprocessingplantsbetween2006and2015.Newbiofuelscouldbeproducedfromagriculturalwasteproductsatacostequivalenttothecurrentcostsofgasolineanddiesel,whileatthesametimegeneratingeconomicbenefitsforfarmersandruralcommunities.
Thereportcitedthefollowingbenefits;
• “By2025,producingthecropstomakethesefuelscouldprovide(American)farmerswithprofitsofmorethan$US5Billionperyear;
• Biofuelscouldbecheaperthangasolineanddiesel,savingus$US20Billionperyearonfuelcostsby2050;
• Biofuelscouldreduceour(US)greenhousegasemissionsby1.7Billiontonsperyear–equatetomorethan80percentoftransportationrelatedemissionsand22percentoftotalemissionsin2002.”
Followingonfromthis,theUSSenatevotedonJune282005topassenergylegislationthatwouldrequireUSfuelsupplierstoblend8billiongallons(36.4billionlitres)ofethanolannuallyintodomesticfuelsupplyby2012.Theamendmentalsocreatedincentivesforbioethanolandbiobasedplasticsproductionfromcropbiomassandprovidesfundingforresearchanddevelopmentofnewbiotechenzymes.13
InVictoriathelogicallocationforabiofuelpilotplantwouldbeintheCityofWyndham.Thisisadjacenttothepetrochemicalindustry.BothPlantic(Plasticfromplants)andAxiomarebasedinLaverton.Theremayalsobeopportunitiesfortrialsitesforthedevelopmentandevaluationofbioactivecrops,asthereisalreadylandintheWerribeeprecinctthathasbeenAQISapprovedforGMOcroptrials.
12 ThereportwaspreparedfortheNationalCommissiononEnergyPolicy(NCEP)bytheRoleofBiomassinAmerica’sEnergyFuture(RBAEF)project.
13 Source:BiotechnologyNewsWednesdayJuly29,2005
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4.6.1ProductionandProcessingofBioActives
Therearealsorelateddevelopmentsinefficientproductioninfrastructure.ThereisinterestingresearchbeingconductedinVictoriainmethodsofintensiveandefficientcropproductionbyusingbiospheres.TheDPIInstituteforHorticulturalDevelopment(basedintheCityofKnox)isconductingresearchinthisarea.Thesesystemsforefficientandhighyieldproductionmaybesuitedtotheproductionofbioactiveplants(andparticularlyGMplants)whereaclosedenvironmentisanadvantage.ThereisalsoresearchbeingconductedatRMITinclosedaquaculturesystemsthatrecyclewaterthroughplants.Ifsuchfacilitieswerebuilttheycouldbeanalternativetofieldcrops,theywouldrequirecapitalinvestmentandskilledlabour,andmaybeofparticularinteresttocouncilsintheruralfringe(Whittlesea,HumeandWyndham).
Thereisalsointerest,bothatFoodSciencesVictoria(intheCityofWyndham),andatRMITBundoora,inpilotscalefermentationplantsandbioreactors.Theyhavepotentialapplicationsinprovidinginfrastructurefortheextractionandprocessingofbioactivepropertiesandfortheprocessingofwasteplantmaterials.ThereareanumberoffoodprocessingcompaniesofvaryingsizethroughoutMelbourne.Ifthesepilotscaleplantsareestablishedasdemonstrationsitesthereisthepossibilityofengagingexistingindustryanddemonstratingnewpossibilities.
4.6.2BarrierstoBioActivesIndustryDevelopment
Ifthereisinterestindevelopingabioactivesorbiofuelsindustrysector,thenanumberofbarriersneedtobeovercome.
Thefirstbarrierisknowledge.Therehavebeenad-hoceffortsbutnosystematicevaluationofthepotentialfordevelopmentinVictoria.WorkisneededtoidentifyifthereareparticularcropsorapplicationsthatarebestsuitedtoVictoria’sclimate,primaryproduction,processingandindustrialbasethatwillprovideasustainablecompetitiveadvantage.
Theoutputsofbioactiveplantsareofteninputsintoexistingvaluechains(forexamplepharmaceutical,chemical,petrochemicalorindustrial).IntheinterviewsconductedforthisreporttheprevailingviewwasthatVictoriaiswellplacedinprimaryproductionandintheinitialprocessingoftheplants.Howeverthereweremixedviewsontheextenttowhichthereisthepotentialforthechemicalrefinementorextractionrequiredinthenextstepsofthevaluechain.ItmaybepossibletoworkcollaborativelyandengageexistingcompanieswhoarepartofthedownstreamvaluechainandattracttheirinvestmenttoVictoria.Therewasinsufficientscopewithinthisprojecttoinvestigatetheseissuesanyfurther.
Therearebarriersinprevailingattitudes.Theattitudeofbiotechnologyinvestorsinterviewed,withtheexceptionofone,werenegativetowardbioactiveproperties.Theirviewwasthatthemoratoriumhaddampenedinvestorinterestinallaspectsofagriculturalbiotechnology,notjustinGMOcrops.Workneedstobedonetochangeinvestorattitudesand/orengageotherinvestorsinthisfield.Thereisperhapsroomforencouragingcorporateinvestmentfrompharmaceutical,chemical,petrochemicalandothercompanies.
Productionofbioactivecropswillrequireengagingfarmers,localcommunities,investorsanddownstreamprocessingormanufacturingcompanies.AlthoughthisdoesnotinvolveGMOmaterialforhumanconsumptiontherearestillnegativeattitudestowardsgeneticmodificationofanykindthatmustbeaddressed.
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Thefollowinggraphicsummarisesthepossiblelifecycleofthecommercialdevelopmentofbioactivepropertiesfromplants.
Thekeypointsare;
• Thebioactivevaluechainisaninputintoexistingchemical,pharmaceuticalandindustrialvaluechains;
• Comparedtodrugdiscovery,thereisgreateropportunitytocapturemoreoftheeconomicactivitywithintheStateofVictoria;
• Comparedtodrugdiscovery,ithasshorterproductdevelopmentandtimetomarket;
• ThereisastronglinktoexistingindustriesandcompetitivestrengthsinVictoria;
• Weareataveryearlystageofindustrydevelopment:5-10yearhorizon;
• CurrentbiotechnologyinvestorsarelukewarmbecauseoftheGMOissue.
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4.7ComplementaryMedicinesThereisalsoindustrybuildingpotentialinthefieldofcomplementarymedicines.Complementarymedicinesprovideopportunitiesforhighvaluedaddedcropsandintensivelanduse,aswellasassociatedinvestmentinprocessingfacilitieswhichwillbeofsignificantinteresttocouncilsintheruralfringe.
AustraliaisuniquebecauseChinesemedicinecanberegisteredasatherapeuticgoodthroughtheTherapeuticGoodsAdministration(TGA),whereasintheUSAChinesemedicinesareregisteredasafoodstuff.Thedifferenceisimportant.TobeapprovedbytheTGA,thepropertiesoftheremedymustbescientificallyvalidatedanddemonstratedtohaveaclinicalbenefit.ThatisseenasanimportantstepinincreasingtheacceptanceofChinesemedicineinwesternsocieties.
ThereisastrongChineseMedicineresearchgroupatRMITledbyAssociateProfessorCharlieXue.TheyareassessingthepropertiesoftraditionalChinesemedicinesandformulationstovalidatetheirsafetyandefficacy.ThisisbeingdoneforthepurposesofregulatoryapprovalthroughtheAustralianTGA.IthasattractedtheinterestsandfinancialsupportofChinesepharmaceuticalcompanies.IfChinesecompanyproductshaveTGAapprovalitwillgivethemacompetitiveadvantage,notjustinAustralia,butthisapprovalcarriesweightinothercountrieswheretheproductsaresold.RegulatoryapprovalofthetherapeuticbenefitsbyAustraliaisconsideredasavaluablesteppingstonetodifferentiatetheproductclassintheimportantUSmarkets.
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China’straditionalmedicineindustryisexpandingrapidly.In2004Chinaexportedover12,000tonsofpatentedmedicinevaluedat$US150Million,andannualsalesofChineseherbalmaterialsexceed$US16Billion14.ThefollowingfiguresillustratethegrowthinChineseR&Dexpendituresupportingthisindustry.
VictoriaisalsowellplacedbecauseitistheonlystatethatregistersandregulatesChineseMedicinepractitioners.
ThereisnodoubtthatthereisahighlevelofinterestinChinesemedicineinVictoria.Whatislessclearishowindustriesandjobswillbecreatedfromthisinterest.IntheabsenceofstrongadvocacyasituationmayevolvewherebyherbalproductsareapprovedformedicinalusebytheTGAandprescribedbyregisteredChinesemedicinepractitionersinVictoria,butalloftheeconomicactivitymayoccurelsewhere(growing,harvesting,formulation,packaging).Thereisaroleforlocalgovernmenttobetheadvocatetoensurethatconsiderationisgiventohowlocaljobsandinvestmentcanbeleveragedfromthissector.
14 BeyondBorders,GlobalBiotechnologyReport2005.Ernst&Young
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ThereiscertainlyanopportunityformedicinalherbstobegrowninVictoria.Iftheparticularpropertiesofaherbareapproved,thenthatapprovaldoesnotapplytoallherbsinthatclass.Theherbmustbeofadefinedtypeandgrownundercontrolled,traceableconditions.ThetraceabilityandqualityassuranceproceduresthatcanbeimplementedbyVictorianfarmerswouldgiveconfidencethatthesupplyofmedicinalherbsiscompliantwithregulatoryspecifications.Suchcropsmayalsobeabletoearnasignificantpremiumforfarmers.
Theremayalsothenbeopportunitiesindownstreameconomicactivity.Ifasufficientrangeofherbsaregrownhereitmaythenbeeconomicallyfeasiblefortheprocessing,extractionandformulationtoalsobedoneinVictoria.TherearealsoopportunitiesforclinicaltrialstobeconductedinVictoria.Asoutlinedearlier,theclinicaltrialscomponentisamajorcostofthedevelopmentandregulatoryapprovalofdrugs.
Inthefuturethereisalsothepossibilityofdeeperengagementoftheresearchcommunity.Atthemomenttheeffortisinscientificallyvalidatingthepropertiesoftraditionalherbs.Thenextstepmaybetoisolatethechemicallyactivepropertiesthatprovidethebeneficialeffects.Ifso,theremaybeopportunitiesforchemicalsynthesis(e.g.drugdiscoveryanddevelopment)orinselectivebreedingtoenhanceparticulartraits(e.g.bioactivecrops).
4.7.1BarrierstoComplementaryMedicinesIndustryDevelopment
Theobservationsmadeinthisreportareveryhighlevelandbasedonasmallnumberofinterviews.Theinterviewshaveindicatedthatthereisapparentpotentialforindustrydevelopment,butmoreworkisneededtomapthevaluechainandtoidentifystrategiestostimulatelocaljobsandinvestmentfromthatvaluechain.
TherearemanypocketsofinterestandhiddencapabilitiesinVictoriathatcouldcombinetocreateanemergingindustry,butworkneedstobedonetofacilitatecommunicationlinks.Inthefirstinstancegrowersneedtobeencouragedtobecomeinvolvedinherbproduction.TheauthorsnotethattheCityofWhittleseahasbeenactivelysupportingatrialherbprogramwithgrowers.TheauthorsalsonotethatDIIRDhasbeenactiveinidentifyingandpromotingcapabilitiesinChinesemedicineandthereisthepotentialroleoflocalgovernmenttohelpengageandcoordinatelocalindustry.
Thereareotherattitudinalbarrierstoovercome.Thereareconcernsinthemedicalandscientificcommunityaboutspuriousclaimsofnaturalremedieswithoutproof,wheninfactwhatisactuallyhappeningisanefforttoprovideevidencebasedvalidationofthepropertiesofmedicinalherbs.Thereisalsoadvocacyrequiredtodemonstratethatthisisavaliduseofscience,andtherearebenefitsfortheresearchcommunityifVictoriatakesaleadershippositioninthisarena.
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Thissectionbeginsbypresentingthesurveyresultsonwheretheexistingbiotechnologycompanieswouldprefertobelocated.Thenextpartprovidesinsightsintothephysicalspacerequirementsofthecompaniesthatwereinterviewed,asasnapshotoftheneedsofthebroaderbiotechnologycompanysectorinVictoria.Thepartimmediatelyfollowingprovidesinformationontheidealattributesofanexpansionspacefacilityifoneweretobebuilt.
Wethendevoteattentiontohowthebusinessmodelforsuchafacilityshouldbestructured.Wedothisfirstlybylookingatthelocationcostsandconsiderationsinaneconomywithadevelopedbiotechnologycompanysector(theUSA).WethenapplyasimilaranalysistounderstandthemajorcostsandcostdriversforVictoriancompanies.Wethenturnattentiontohowthesecostsarepaidfor.WeillustratethedifferencesintheinfrastructurecharacteristicsofestablishedsectorsversusthecharacteristicsoftheemergingVictorianbiotechnologycompanysector.Weoutlinesomeoftheattributesofanexpansionspacedevelopmentthatwouldmakeitmorecapitalefficient.Thesectionendswithadiscussionofthepotentialroleoflocalgovernmentinencouragingprecinctdevelopment.
5.1LocationConsiderationsSixteenoperatingbiotechnologycompaniesparticipatedinadetailedsurveyforthisreportandtwelveoftheserespondedtothequestionoftheirpreferredlocationforexpansion.
ThesecompaniesarecurrentlyspreadaroundMelbourneandsomearesplitovermultiplelocations.Thechoiceoftheircurrentlocationwastypicallyopportunistic.Whenthesecompanieswereinastart-upmodetheytookpremisesinlessthanideallocations,orevenpaidapremiumforspacebecauseoftheirspecialisedrequirementsandthelimitedavailabilityofsuitablespace.
ThemostpreferredlocationforfutureexpansionisParkvilleorsurroundingareas,withMonashalsobeingacceptable.Theresultsvalidatethepreviousanecdotaldiscussionsthatbiomedicalcompanieswillprefertostayclosetothemedicalandeducationalprecincts,andwillnotconsiderrelocationfromthesebasesastheygrow.Itmustbenotedthatthesecompaniesareprimarilyinvolvedinmedicalbiotechnology.
Discussionswiththoseinterviewedshedmoreinsightintolocationdecisions.
• Companiesprefertobenearhospitalsanduniversities,butthatdoesnotnecessarilymeanon-siteattheselocations(‘notnextdoorbutnear’).Theyneedtobenearbybecausetheymayhaveaneedtousethetestingfacilities,whichareoftenlocatednearmajorhospitalsanduniversitiesandmayneedaccesstospecialistequipment.
• Accesstotheairportisalsoanimportantlocationconsideration,particularlyforthosewhosendandreceivetestsviaairfreight.Anotherconsiderationisthetravellingtimeforvisitingexecutivesandcustomers.Thatdidnotmeanthatcompaniesneededtobelocatedattheairport,buttherewasastrongpreferencetothenorthernendoftheCBD(e.g.Parkville),oratleastreasonableproximitytofreewayaccess.
• Therewaslittlesupportforphysicallylocatinginauniversityprecinct,orwhereauniversityorhospitalisthelandlord.Threeseparatecommentsweremadeabouttheattitudinaldifferencesrequiredinworkinginacompanyenvironmentversusworkinginauniversityresearchenvironment.Employersrequiredagreaterdeadlinefocusandwerealsolesswillingtosupportpeople‘comingandgoingastheyplease’.Althoughnotanentiresolution,itwasfeltthatphysicalseparationfromuniversitiesandco-locationinacommercialenvironmentwouldbehelpful.
5 eXpAnsion spACe foR ViCtoRiAn BioteChnoLogy CoMpAnies
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• OnecompanyinthesurveythatpreferredWerribeeisamanufacturerbasedinLavertonthatwouldprefertostayinthatarea.
5.2FutureSpaceRequirementsOfthesixteenoperatingbiotechnologycompaniesinterviewed,thirteenoftheseprovidedinformationontheircurrentspaceusageandfuturerequirements.Threehavemanufacturingorassemblyoperations,onehaslaboratoryfacilitiesandoperatesatestingserviceandtheremainingninearedrugdevelopmentcompanies.
• Currentspace
- Intotalthesecompaniesoccupy6,904m2ofspace,atanaverageof531m2percompany.
- Thelargestdrugdevelopmentcompanyrespondingtooursurveyhas1,000m2andplanstodoublethiswithinfiveyears.
- Thesmallestcompanyoccupies30m2,becauseitisinstart-upphaseandcontractsitsresearchtoexternalorganisations.Itplanstogrowto60m2intwoyearsand200m2withinfiveyears,whichsuggeststhatitwillremainarelatively‘virtual’operation.
• Thereisaverypositiveoutlookfordemandforexpansionspace
- Ofthethirteencompaniesresponding,theirnextexpansionstepwillrequireatotalof16,526m2,whichismorethandoublethecurrentspaceused.
- Elevencompaniesestimatethiswillbeneededwithintwoyears,twocompaniesestimatethiswillbeneededwithinfiveyears.
- Theaveragespacerequirementis1,271m2overall.
- Theaveragespacerequirementfordrugdevelopmentcompaniesis450m2.
- Theproportionofspacerequiredfordrugdevelopmentcompaniesis:
- 38%Office
- 57%Laboratory
- 5%Manufacturing/stores/other.
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5.3AttributesofFacilitiesTheCityofMelbourneengagedtheBioMelbourneNetworkandDesignInctostudytheexpansionspaceneedsofsixVictorianbiotechnologycompanies.Thesamequestionswerethenputtoparticipantsinthisprojectandtheanswerscombinedtogiveatotalresponsebaseoffifteenparticipatingcompanies.
Themajorobservationsareasfollows;
• Publictransportconsistentlyratedasanimportantissue.Howeveritislikelythatitwouldrateasanimportantissuebycompaniesfrommanyindustries;
• Biotechnologycompanieshaveaparticularneedforsecurity.Thatisbecauseofthesensitivenatureoftheirwork.Accesscontrolisalsoarequirementofgoodmanufacturingpractice(GMP)andgoodlaboratorypractice(GLP);
• Informationtechnologyfacilitiesandinfrastructureareveryimportanttobiotechnologycompanies.Theuseofverypowerfulandcomplexinformationprocessingtoolsisbecomingveryprevalentinmanyoftoday’sbiotechnologycompanies;
• Althoughcollocationwithcompaniesdidnotrateasthehighestofthefactors,itwasstillseenasrelativelyimportant.Companieswouldpreferifpossibletobeco-located,butintheabsenceofaprecinctdevelopment,theywillgowherethespaceisavailable;
• Therearedefinedpreferencesaboutwhereandhowfartheiremployeeswilltravel(e.g.toParkville,St.KildaorMonash,butnotfarbeyondtheseareas).Theadministrativeandsupportstaffwouldgenerallybeemployedlocallybutthescientificandprofessionalstaffwouldtraveltowhereverthecompanywaslocated.
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Otherelementsthatwerenotinthequestionnairebutwereraisedinassociateddiscussionsareasfollows;
• Biotechnologycompaniesarerelativelycompactbutintenseusersofspace.Theyaresometimeslocatedinindustrialareasbutthepersonpersquaremetreratioisfarhigherthanatypicalindustrialcompany.Thatmeans,amongotherthings,arelativelyhighnumberofcarparkingspacesarerequired;
• Biotechnologycompaniestendtobeveryhighusersofelectricalpower;
• Thosewhowerebasedonsitesassociatedwithuniversitiesandhospitalsdidnotoriginallyappreciatethebenefitsofbeingonsite,byhavingmanyofthepermitsandapprovalsalreadyinplace.Theymentionedthatifaprecinctweredevelopeditwouldbeefficientforallofthepermitsandassociatedapprovalstobehandledonce,ratherthanforeachcompanytodiscoverthesamedifficultieseachtime.TheauthorsobservedthateconomicdevelopmentofficersintheUSAoftenprepareplanningcheckliststhathelpcompaniesmakeasmoothtransitionintodedicatedprecincts;
• Theworkforcesaretypicallyyoungandwellpaidandengagedinbuildingtheircareers.OneCEOcommentedontheimportanceofchildcarefacilitiesifabiotechnologybuildingwasestablished.Althoughitcanbearguedthatsuchfacilitiesdependonnormalmarketforces,itwasaninterestinginsightintotheneedsandpreferencesofarelativelyyoungworkforceandhelpstodefinetheidealconditionsthatarerequiredtoattractthatworkforce.
5.4OccupancyCostsandLocationDecisionsThefollowingsectionisbasedondatafromColliersInternational15.ItcomparesthecostofCBDversussuburbanlocationsinmajorUSbiotechnologycities.WethenadoptedasimilarmethodologytocomparetheCBDversussuburbsforVictorianbiotechnologycompanies.Thiswasdonefortworeasons,firstlytoexplorethesimilaritiesanddifferencesinexpansionspacecostsbetweenestablishedbiotechnologylocationsandemergingbiotechnologylocations.Secondly,althoughbiotechnologycompanieswouldprefertobelocatedintheCBD,itwasimportanttovalidatethatitisfinanciallyfeasibletodoso.
15 Alchemy2005.AnnualReviewandAnalysisofRealEstateTrendsintheLifeScienceIndustry.Volume2,Summer2005.ColliersInternational
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TheUSdataindicatesthatthepremiumforacitylocationversusasuburbanlocationisverysmall.ACBDwetlabcosts3%morethanasuburbanwetlab,a‘highrange’cityofficecosts5%morethanasuburbanoffice,and‘lowrange’cityofficecosts9%morethanasuburbanoffice.Thesuburbsdonothaveaslargeacostadvantageasonemaythinkbecausetheunderlyingcostoftherealestateisonlyonecomponentoftheoverallprice.Themajorcostdriveristhecostoffitout,particularlyforwetlabs.
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IntheVictorianexamplethepremiumforCBDlocationversussuburbanis12%forawetlabdevelopmentand33%foranofficedevelopment.TheoverallcostsarenotdramaticallydifferenttotheUSexamples($668forUSAwetlabspacevs$770forAustralian,$371USAofficevs$277Australian).ThisanalysisisbasedonarangeofassumptionsthatareoutlinedinAppendix3.
5.5CapitalEfficiencyAlthoughtheactualspacecostsperm2aresimilarbetweentheUSAandVictoria,thereisafundamentaldifferenceinhowthesecostsarepaidfor.TheUSAhasahighlydevelopedenvironmentforsupportingemergingcompanies,whereasthesameisnottrueofAustralia.
Emergingbiotechnologycompaniesarecashconstrained,faceahighcostofcapitalandmustbeextremelycapitalefficienttosurvive.MostVictorianbiotechnologycompaniescannotrelyondirectproductsalesandmustraisecapitaltofundtheirgrowth.Debtfundingisdifficultbecauseoftheriskprofileofthesecompanies.Theytypicallyrelyonexternalequityfunding,initiallythroughventurecapitalinvestmentandthenastockmarketlisting.Thecostofcapitalishigh.Thatisbecauseanequityinvestorwouldaimtomakeacompoundrateofreturnontheirinvestmentataminimumof25%compoundperannumandideallyinexcessof40%compoundperannum.EvenifacompanyisASXlisteditneedstodemonstrateveryhighratesofreturnbecauseithasahigherrisk/returnprofilethannormalindustrialstocks.
TherearefundamentaldifferencesinhowcapitalisusedbetweentheUSandAustralianbiotechnologycompanyenvironments.Thefollowingitemsillustratethesedifferences;
• Lease vs PAYG.InAustraliathemodelistypicallyforcompaniestoleaseabuildingandthenpayforthespecialisedfitoutandequipment.Inthefollowingexample,basedontheearlierrealestatecostcomparison,thewetlabfitoutalonewouldcost$1.25Millionfora500m2space,notincludingtheadditionalcapitalexpenditureforthepurchaseandinstallationofspecialisedscientificequipment.Thesecostssoakupscarcecash.IntheUSAamorecommonmethodisforthedevelopertofundthecapitalcostofthefitoutandrecoverthisbyothermeans(forexamplethecostsarerecoveredviahigherleasepayments,orinexchangeforequity,optionsorwarrants).Thetenantmaypayalittlemoreannually,ordeferpaymentthroughequityexchange,butwillnotneedtomakealargeup-frontcapitalexpenditure.Thismodelworksbecausethedevelopercanaccessfundsatamuchlowercostofcapitalthanahighriskbiotechnologycompany.Thisarbitrageofthecostofcapitalcanworktotheadvantageofbothorganisations.Anemergingbiotechnologycompanycanpayminimalrent,bothorganisationstakeariskonthesuccessofthecompany,andifthecompanyissuccessful,thedeveloperwillshareinthecapitalgain.
Table 4: Comparison of Lease Versus Capital Expenditure for Wet Lab Fit Out
Costsfora500m2wetlab City Suburbs
Annualleasecost 390,000 342,000
Capitalcostwetlabfitouttodeveloper 1,000,000 1,000,000
Capitalcostforwetlabfitouttoclient16 1,250,000 1,250,000
Source:Basedondeveloper’sruleofthumbestimates
16 Basedona25%marginoncosts–thiswillvarywidelybetweendevelopers/builders.
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• Incentives.AccordingtoourdeskresearchanddirectinterviewswithcityeconomicdevelopmentofficersintheUSA,itistypicalforarangeofincentivestobeavailableforprecinctsandtenants.Thatincludesdeferralsofstateandfederaltaxes,loanguaranteesorfinancingforspecialisedequipment.Therearemanydifferentincentivepackagesofferedonastate-by-statebasis.Theirexistenceillustrateswhatispossibleinahighlydevelopedeconomythatsupportsthegrowthofemergingbiotechnologycompanies.Italsodemonstratesthatcitiesandstatesarekeentoinvesttheirtimeandresourcesinattractingandencouragingbiotechnologyfirmstotheirlocations.
• Cost of Land.Theoccupancycostsofbiotechnologyprecinctsareoftenhelpedbytheacquisitionoflandatlowcost.TwocommonsourcesoflandformajorUSbiotechnologyprecinctsintheUSAaretheredevelopmentofformermilitarybasesandthroughurbanrenewalprojectsinrun-downareasoflargecities.
Ideally,Victorianeedsanenvironmentcomparabletothatofotherdevelopedbiotechnologysectors.Thereisastructuralimbalancebetweentheestablishedbiotechnologycompanysectorsandemergingbiotechnologycompanysectors.AVictorianbiotechnologycompanyhastopayitswayincashwhereasaUScompanyoperatesinanenvironmentthatismorecapitalefficient.AVictoriancompanyhastoraisemorecashthanaUScounterparttoachievethesameends,andthelackofdepthofcapitalmarketstobeginwithmakesitdifficultforAustralianbiotechnologycompaniestoraisefunds.
5.6PrecinctDevelopmentThereisanopportunityforlocalgovernmenttochampionthedevelopmentofabiotechnologyprecinct.Aprecinct,ifdevelopedproperly,canbeafarmorecapitalefficientmodelofoperationforbiotechnologycompanies.Thereareanumberofmechanismsthatlocalgovernmentasaprecinctfacilitatorcouldexplore;
1.Attracting developers.Localgovernmentcanhelptoengagedevelopersbyassessingthenatureandextentofdemandandpresentingitasanopportunityfordevelopers.TheCityofMelbournehasbegunthisprocessbyengagingtheBioMelbourneNetworktoassesstheexpansionspaceneedsofsixbiotechnologycompanies.ThisBioCouncilsAlliance‘LifeCycles’reportalsoprovidesfurtherdetailandinsightintotheexpansionneedsofbiotechnologycompanies.
2.Creating the right business model.ThisreporthasidentifiedthatthereisafundamentaldifferencebetweenthebusinessmodelsinUSbiotechnologyprecinctsversusthestandardpropertydevelopmentapproach.Localgovernmentasaprecinctfacilitatorcouldworkwithdeveloperstoensurethatacapitalefficientbusinessmodelisstructuredandisappropriatetoattractbiotechnologytenants.
3.Site selection.Victoriadoesnothaveastockofformermilitarybasesormajorsectionsofthecityrequiringurbanrenewal.HowevertheremaybeopportunitiestoexplorethroughtherestructuringofhospitalsitesacrossVictoriaorintheParkvilleprecinctdevelopmentplans.Localgovernmentcanuseitsuniqueknowledgeofthemunicipality,andaccessthroughothergovernmentchannels,toidentifyandlobbyforaccesstosuitablesitesifanopportunitybecomesavailable.Thatwouldprovideabenefitinreducingthecostsofthelandcomponentofabiotechnologyexpansionbuildingorprecinct.
4.Zoning, planning and permits.Thereisaclearacceptanceoftheimportantrolethatlocalgovernmentcanplayinfacilitatingthepermits,approvalsandzoningofaspecialbiotechnologyprecinct.ThatisconsistentwiththeactiverolethatCitiesplayinthedevelopmentofbiotechnologyprecinctsintheUSA.
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5. Incentives.OurresearchindicatesthatCitieshavebeenmajordriversinthedevelopmentofsuccessfulbiotechnologyprecinctsintheUSA(forexampleBoston,Baltimore,Virginia).Inthesecontextstherehasgenerallybeenanincentivepackagedevelopedtoattractdevelopersandtenants.Thatcanbeamixoflandgrants,taxdeferrals,bondsorloanguarantees,forexample.TheauthorsrecognisethattherelativerolesofFederal,StateandLocalGovernmentaredifferentinAustralia.Localgovernmentcanplayanadvocacyroleinbringingthismattertotheattentionofstateandfederalagenciesandencouragingacoordinatedresponse.
5.7DesignofExpansionSpaceTheauthorsareawarethatapreliminarybuildingdesignhasbeendevelopedforexpansionspaceforbiotechnologycompanies.Someofthefeaturesofthatbuildingincludeefficientuseofsharedspacessuchasmeetingrooms,trainingandpresentationareas.Interviewswithlocalbiotechnologycompaniesforthisreportgeneratedadditionalideasforsharedservicesthatcouldbehousedwithinadedicatedcommercialbiotechnologybuilding.
1.Video conferencing and Telecommunications.Victoriancompaniesarehighlyactiveinternationally.Theyrelyonfrequentcommunicationswithresearchcollaborators,investors,alliancepartnersandothersupportersaroundtheglobe.Thereismeritinexploringthefeasibilityofinvestinginsharedvideoconferencingfacilities.Thiscostofthismayotherwisebeoutofthereachofindividualbiotechnologycompanies.
2.Market Intelligence.Everycompanyreliesheavilyonmarketresearchsubscriptionservicesforproductresearch,marketdevelopmentanddealnegotiation.Companiestypicallyspend$50,000to$100,000p.a.forsubscriptions.TherehasbeenaproposaldevelopedbytheBioMelbourneNetworktocreateamarketintelligencelibraryonasharedservicesbasisforemergingbiotechnologycompanies.Ifthisproposalissuccessful,theideallocationforthislibrarymaybewithinadedicatedbuildingforbiotechnologycompanies.
3. Information Technology Support.ManybiotechnologycompaniesareincreasinglyreliantonsophisticatedITenvironments.IfallarelocatedinonebuildingthereareopportunitiestosharecostsandattracthighqualityITsupport.
4.Employee Services.Biotechnologycompanieshaveyoungworkforces.Anideallocationwouldbeonethathadchildcareservices,butitisnoteconomicforanindividualcompanytoprovideachildcareservice.Howeverifallcompaniesweretogetherintheoneprecinct,andtheyallhadyoungworkforces,thatmayprovidesufficientincentiveforachildcareoperatortoestablishaserviceinornearthatbuilding.
Capitalefficientfeaturessuchasthoselistedabovecouldbemadepossiblebytheeconomiesofscaleofhavingbiotechnologycompanieslocatedinthesamearea.
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ThissectionbeginswithindustryfeedbackonthepotentialroleofLocalgovernmentinbiotechnologyindustrydevelopment.Thenextpartdiscussestherationaleforgovernmentinvolvementbasedonthefindingsofthisreport.ThefinalpartdiscussesthespecificroleoftheBioCouncilsAllianceandprovidesaframeworkforaction.
6.1IndustryFeedbackontheRoleofLocalGovernment
Therewasnotuniversalsupportfortheideaofcouncilsassistingcompaniestosearchforspecificsites.Manyrespondentsfeltthattheirneedsweresospecial-isedthattheyshouldmanagethisin-houseorengagespecialistadvisors.
TherewasveryhighsupportandacceptanceoftheroleofLocalgovernmentinbiotechnologyprecinctdevelopments.ThebiotechnologycompanyCEOsareveryactiveinternationallyandmanyareawareofthedrivingrolethatCitiesplayinthedevelopmentofUSprecincts.TheywouldappreciatetheroleofLocalgovernmentasachampion,lobbyistandfacilitatorofabiotechnologyprecinct.TheyalsofeltthatLocalgovernmentcanmakeanimportantcontributioninplanningandzoningassistanceforsuchadevelopment.
Theresponsetothequestionofassistancewithplanningpermitsneedsfurtherclarification.Onaday-to-daybasisthereareanumberoffederalandstateauthoritiesthatbiotechnologycompaniesdealwithforvariouspermits.Biotechnologycompaniesgenerallyknowhowtodothisandsomewouldbeconcernedifanotherlayerofinvolvementwereadded.Therewassupporthoweverfortheassistancewithpermitsandapprovalsinrelationtoestablishinganewbiotechnologyprecinctorfacility.Theyfeltitwouldbebeneficialforthistobecentrallycoordinated.
6 disCUssion And ReCoMMendAtions
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TherewasreasonablystrongsupportfortheroleofLocalgovernmentinworkingwithcommunityattitudes.Themajorityrecognisedthatcouncilsareaccesspointstocommunityconsultationandifanynewdevelopmentweretooccur(forexampleabiotechnologycompanyprecinct,orafieldtriallocationforbioactives),thenCouncilwouldbeinstrumentalinworkingwithlocalcommunitiestoprovidebalancedinformationonanyissues,toensurethatinformeddecisionsweremade.Therewereafewcaseswherecompaniespreferredtokeepalowprofileandfeltitwasbetterfortheindustrytoalsodoso.
Intervieweesrecognisedtheroleofgovernmentinprovidingtraditionalservices,howevermanyhadlimiteddaytodayinvolvementwithcouncilsorhadnoparticularlystrongoruniqueneedsthataredifferenttoanyothercompany.
6.2TheRationaleforLocalGovernmentInterventionLocalgovernmentbringsauniqueandhighlypragmaticperspectivetoVictoria’semergingbiotechnologycompanysector.ItcancomplementtheeffortsofStateandFederalGovernmentstosupportbiotechnologyindustrydevelopmentpolicy,butalsosupportbroaderpolicyareasofscienceandtechnology,healthcare,ruralandregionaldevelopment.Local government can help to ensure sufficient attention is paid to practical measures that attract and retain the type of companies that are best placed to invest locally and employ locally.
A2002BrookingsInstitution17studyofbiotechnologyactivityinthe51largestUSmetropolitanareasfoundthattheindustryconcentratedinnineregions.Thesenineareasexcelbecausetheypossesstwokeyingredientsnecessaryforbiotechgrowth;strongresearch,andtheabilitytoconvertthatresearchintocommercialactivity.Theyalsoconcludedthatthepowerofclusteringprovidesdecisivebusinessadvantages.The BioCouncils Alliance can play a role in helping to create the conditions to create biotechnology industry hubs.
6.2.1ExistingBiotechnologyCompaniesandtheRoleofLocalGovernment
TheexistingVictorianbiotechnologycompaniesarepredominantlyinthemedicalsector.Theyplayaspecificroleintheglobalvaluechainasearlystageproductdevelopmentcompaniesfordrugs,vaccinesanddiagnostics.Theyareimportantchannelstotakeproductcandidatesfromthescientificdiscoverystagethroughtheirearlystagesofcommercialriskreductionandvaluecreation.Thesebiotechnologyproductdevelopmentcompanieshaveincreasinglyemergedoverthepast5-10years,theyhaveproventheircompetitiveplaceinaglobalindustryandhavemanagedtocontinuetogrowdespitelimitationsincapitalavailabilityandefficiency.
LocalgovernmentcanhelpensurethattheydoremaininVictoria,butmoreimportantly,create the conditions that encourage a greater depth of operations within Victoria.Thatwouldmean,intheshorttomediumterm,anexpansionofthenumberofproductsintheirdevelopmentpipelines.Achievingthiswouldtranslatetoincreasedcapitalexpenditureinwetlabspaceandtechnicalinfrastructure,additionalemploymentofhighlytrainedscientists,informationtechnologyprofessionalsandotherknowledgeworkers.InthelongertermitwouldalsohelptosecureVictoria’spositionasacorporatebaseforthemanufacturing,sellinganddistributionofproductintothefastgrowingAsianmarkets.
Localgovernmentcanfacilitatethedevelopmentofacommercialbiotechnologyprecinct.Thisfacilitymaybecomethefoundationofacommercialbiotechnologyprecinct.CurrentlybiotechnologycompaniesaredistributedaroundMelbourneforavarietyofhistoricalreasons.Ifaninitialexpansionspacefacilitywasdevelopedandsucceededitmaythenattractotherdevelopersandattractotherbiotechnologycompaniestorelocateastheyoutgrowtheirexistingspace.Itcouldalsobecomethelocationofchoicefornewbiotechnologycompaniesastheyemerge.
17 “SignsofLife.TheGrowthofBiotechnologyCentersintheUS.”BrookingsInstitutionCentreonUrbanandMetropolitanPolicy.JosephCortrightandHeikeMayer.2002
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Thefirststepwillbetosupportdevelopmentofexpansionspaceforexistingbiotechnologycompanies.LocalgovernmentcanensurethatanexpansionspacefacilityisdesignedtofittheneedsofbiotechnologycompaniesandthatitsbusinessmodelisstructuredinawaythataddressessomeofthecapitalefficiencylimitationsfacingVictoriancompanies.
AcommercialbiotechnologyprecinctwouldbegintoaddresssomeofthestructurallimitationswithinVictoria’semergingbiotechnologysector.Theeconomiesofscaleandcapitalefficienciesfromcollocationwouldenablethecompaniestoachievemorewiththeirscarceinvestmentcapital.
IfLocalgovernmenttakesaleadershiproleinencouragingthedevelopmentofexpansionspace,therearebroadeconomicbenefitsacrossthevaluechain;
• InvestmentfundschannelledintoVictoriancompanieswillflowbackintotheresearchcommunity,touniversitiesandresearchinstitutesascontractresearchpaymentsandasroyaltypaymentsonintellectualproperty;
• Moneywillalsoflowintotheservicessector;forexampleinformationtechnology,legal,taxation,accounting,financeraising,regulatorycompliance,clinicaltrialsandthemanufactureofdrugsforclinicaltrials;
• TherecouldbeincreasedutilisationoftheState’sscientificinfrastructureincludingadvancedcomputingfacilities,thesynchrotronandtheNuclearMagneticResonanceFacilityatBio21.
Anotherbenefitofacommercialbiotechnologyprecinctisthatitwouldmakethelabourmarketmorevisible.Thenaturalexpansionofthebiotechnologycompanysectorwillseesomecompaniesrisewhileothersfail.Ifthisoccurswithinaprecincttherecanbeanefficientreallocationofpeopleandresources.
Aconcentrationofyoung,wellpaidknowledgeworkersinthebiotechnologycompanyprecinctwouldalsohaveaflow-oneffectonthedemandforresidentialaccommodationinthevicinity.
6.2.2EmergingBiotechnologyCompaniesandtheRoleofLocalGovernment
AsoutlinedintheExecutiveSummary,thebiotechnologysectorisabouttochangeshapedramatically.Whereastheexistingbaseisprimarilyinvolvedindevelopingdrugs,vaccinesanddiagnostics,wholenewsectorswillemergeinbioactives,complementarymedicinesandindiagnosticsinvolvingmedicalimaging,informationtechnology,advancedmanufacturingandnanotechnology.Thejobcreationandinvestmentattractionprospectsarefundamentallydifferenttothatofdrugdiscoveryanddevelopment.Thereisthepotentialtoengagemoreoftheeconomicvalueaddedactivitywithinthisstate.Thiseconomicactivitycanspanfurtherdownthevaluechain,fromdiscoveryanddevelopmenttomanufacturing.Theemploymentbaseispotentiallybroader,fromhighlyqualifiedscientists,engineersandinformationtechnologyprofessionalsthroughtomediumskilledjobsinadvancedmanufacturingaswellasmediumskilledjobsinprimaryproductionandprocessing.
ThereisaroleforLocalgovernmenttoplayinhelpingtocreatetheenvironmentthatattractsandsupportsemergingcompanies.Aswiththeprecedingbiomedicalbiotechnologysector,thiswillbedoneinconcertwiththeeffortsofStateandFederalagencies.Localgovernmentcanplayacriticalroleasanactiveon-the-groundparticipanttoensurethatattentionremainsonthefundamentalsoflocaljobcreationandinvestmentattraction.Withoutstrongadvocacythesesectorscanbesupportedbyworthwhilesciencebutthedownstreameconomicactivitymaybelicensedoffandconductedoffshore.
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ThereisaroleforLocalgovernmenttoplayasthechampionandfacilitatorofthedevelopmentofsubsectorsinbioactives,biofuels,herbalmedicinesandadvanceddiagnostics.LocalgovernmentcanactivelypromoteVictoria’scapabilities,andthoseofeachcouncilregion,asabaseforgrowing,processinganddownstreammanufacturing.
• Localgovernmentcanplayaroleinthedevelopmentofthecomplementarymedicinessectortoensurethatattentionisgiventohowlocalemploymentandinvestmentwillbegenerated.
• Itcancontinuetoactivelyengagegrowersandothersinthevaluechaintoensurethatthereisinterestattractedtothevalueaddedeconomicactivitiesinthisarena.
• Localgovernmentcanplayasimilarfacilitatingroleinthedevelopmentofnascentsectorsinbioactivesandbiofuels.Itcanbeavoicetoensurethatconsiderationisgiventojobcreationandinvestmentwaswellasscientificresearch.Itcandothisbycreatingopportunitiestobringtogetherexistingandemergingbusinesses.
• Localgovernmentcanencouragethecrosssectorcommunicationsthatarerequiredintheconvergingdiagnosticsfield,encouragingcreativitythroughtheintersectionofdisciplinesfrominformationtechnology,medicalimaging,advancedmanufacturingtechnologyandnanotechnology.Itcanencourageexistingcompaniesworkinginthesesectorstoturntheirattentiontowardsopportunitiesinbiotechnologyandadvanceddiagnostics.
6.3TheRoleoftheBioCouncilsAllianceThisreporthighlightsthediversityofthebiotechnologysectorandthatitisenteringaphasewherethiseconomicdiversitywillbecomeevenmorepronounced.Itsuggeststhattherearedifferentareasofopportunitysuitedtodifferentcouncilcapabilities.Itsuggeststhatcouncilinvolvementwouldhelpconcentratespecificeconomicactivitiesintoparticularmunicipalities.
6.3.1JointInterests
ThereisjustificationforthecontinuedroleoftheBioCouncilsAllianceasagroupoflikemindedcouncilsinterestedintheeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesassociatedwithbiotechnology.
6.3.2CollaboratetoCompete
TheBioCouncilsAlliancecanworkasagrouptopromotethefieldofbiotechnologyoverallandtheirspecificadvantagesasmunicipalities.Theycanalsodefinenichesandpromotetheirindividualadvantagesashubsforindustrydevelopment.DoingsowillhelppromotethestrengthandthediversityofbiotechnologylocationswithinthestateanditwillactivelypromotetheideaofVictoriaasastrongcommercialbase.
Thebiotechnologysectoriscomplexanddiverse,ifeachcouncilconcentratesonaparticularthemeitwillhelptodevelopadeepknowledgebaseofthesectoracrossthememberbase.Theycaneachdevelopageneralknowledgeofissuesfacingtheemergingbiotechnologysectorbutthenspecialiseinparticularareasthataremorerelevanttotheirparticulararea.
Thiswillhelpcouncilstobetterunderstandandservetheneedsofbiotechnologycompaniesthatareattractedtotheirmunicipalities.
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6.3.3PromotingCapabilities
LocalgovernmentcancontinuetopromoteVictoria’scapabilitiesandindustriesthroughdirectcity-to-cityrelationships.AverygoodexampleofthisistheCityofMelbourne’srecentroleinleadingadelegationofVictorianbiotechnologycompaniestoChinaandactivelyusingitscity-to-citylinkstofacilitateaccesstohighleveldecisionmakers.
BioCouncilsAlliancememberscanactivelyengageinforumsrelatingtoinvestmentattractionandindustrydevelopment,suchasmajornationalandinternationalconferences.ForexampleABIC2006,theworld’smajorglobalconferenceforagriculturalbiotechnologywillbeheldinMelbournefromAugust6-9,2006.BioCouncilAllianceMembersshouldconsiderajointpresenceatthisimportantinternationalconference.
6.3.4ProvidingInformationtoCommunities
Thereisaneedtodevelopmaterialsthatgiveabalancedperspectiveontherisksandrewardsofbiotechnologyindustrydevelopment.Councilscandevelopcommunicationsmaterialsoftheirown,sharematerialswithBioCouncilsAlliancemembersoraccesstheservicesofsupportingagenciessuchastheGeneTechnologyInformationServicewhichisbasedinMelbourne.Theycanalsocontinuetoorganiseforumsandinviteexpertspeakersonspecifictopics,asissuccessfullydonenow.
Councilsalsoneedtoworkcloselyasafacilitatorandcoordinatorofindustry,helptochangetheattitudesofexistingparticipantstoacceleratetheadoptionofnewtechniquesorproducts.
6.3.5HostingDelegations
Thereisanimportantroleforlocalgovernmenttohostinboundtrade,investmentandpartneringdelegations.Wereceivedfavourablecommentsintheindustryinterviewsthatlocalgovernmentwasrecognisedbybiotechnologycompaniesasmakinganimportantcontributioninhelpingthemattractinternationalsupport.AcooperativeandcoordinatedapproachtohostingdelegationswillhelpVictoriashowoffdifferentaspectsofitscapabilitiestopotentialinvestors.Itwouldalsogiveconfidencetopotentialinvestorsthatthereissupportforthebiotechnologyindustryatalllevelsofgovernment.
6.3.6CouncilsasLeadUsers
Localgovernmentcanactasaleadusersandtrialsitesfornewtechnologywhereappropriate.Therearemanycouncilactivitiesthatcaninvolvebiotechnologysuchaswastedisposal,wastewaterreuseandtheuseofrenewableenergysources.Wenote,forexamplethatCityofHumepurchasesbiofuelswhentheyareavailable.
6.3.7ProvidingPremisesInformation
Theremaybesomeinstanceswherecouncilscanplayaroleinprovidinginformationonsuitablepremises.Theauthorsunderstandthatthediversityandcomplexityofthebiotechnologyindustrymakesitdifficultforcouncilofficerstocorrectlyrespondtoanyenquiriesbyindividualcompaniesforpremisesavailability.Ifcouncilswishtoprovidepremisesorlocationinformationthenitwouldbemadefareasieriftheyweretoconcentrateonspecificaspectsofbiotechnology.ForexampletheCityofMonashcouldconcentrateonunderstandingtheneedsofadvancedmanufacturingandITstylebusinesses,theCityofMelbournecouldconcentrateonunderstandingtheneedsofdrugdiscoveryanddevelopmentcompanies.
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6.3.8EngagingOtherLevelsofGovernment
ThisreportcanbeusedasacatalystfordiscussionandtoexploreareasofcommoninterestwithotherlevelsofGovernment.ThesediscussionscanidentifyfurtherwaysinwhichLocalgovernmentmaysupporttheimplementationoftheinitiativesofStateandFederalagencies,wheretheyrelatetodirectinvestmentandjobcreationopportunitieswithinmembermunicipalities.Acopyofthefinalreportshouldbesenttothefollowingagenciesforcomment;
• Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.ThisreporthasbeenwrittenwithabackgroundunderstandingofthecurrentBiotechnologyStrategicDevelopmentPlanforVictoria(2004).TherehavealsobeenconsultationswithindividualDIIRDofficersonspecificissues.TheremaybeideasandproposalsdevelopedsubsequenttothepublicationoftheBSDPthatareofmutualinterest.AswellasthebiotechnologygrouptherearealsogroupswithinDIIRDwithinterestsinarangeoftopicsincludingprecinctdevelopment,complementarymedicines,nanotechnologyandadvancedmanufacturing.
• Department of Primary Industries.AlthoughtherehavebeeninitialdiscussionswithDPI,thereismeritincontinuingdiscussionsonareasofcommoninterest,particularlyinvalueaddedagricultureandthepotentialforindustrydevelopmentopportunitiesemergingfromDPIresearch.ThesediscussionscouldidentifyfurtherrolesforlocalgovernmenttoplayinthealleviationofanybarriersthatDPIoritsresearchprogramsmayfaceinbringingproductstomarket.
• Biotechnology Australia.TheremaybeinitiativesofopportunitiesunderconsiderationinBiotechnologyAustraliathatareofmutualinterest.BiotechnologyAustraliaisresponsibleforprovidingbalancedcommunicationstothesector.TheremaybeopportunitiestoworkwithBiotechnologyAustraliaandtheGeneTechnologyInformationServicetoaccesstheircommunicationsresourcestousewithlocalcommunities.
• Invest Australia.TheFederalGovernmentagencyresponsibleforattractinginboundinvestmentalsohasaninterestinbiotechnologysectordevelopment.
6.4OverviewoftheCapabilitiesandInterestsofSpecificMunicipalities
6.4.1CityofMelbourne
ThereareareasofparticularinteresttotheCityofMelbourne,particularlyasthefacilitatorofacommercialbiotechnologyprecinct.TheCitycould;
• UsetheinformationonfacilitiesrequirementsprovidedinthisreporttoprovidefurtherdetailtotheplansbeingdrawnupbyDesignIncandtheBioMelbourneNetwork.
• Conductfurtherworkondevelopingacapitalefficientbusinessmodelfortheexpansionspacefacility.Thatmayinvolve;
- Incorporatingcostestimatesfromthedevelopmentproposal;
- Developingafinancialmodeltorestructurethecostbaseawayfromup-frontcashto‘pay-as-you-go’chargestotenants;
- Exploringothermodelsoffundingincludingequityexchangeandthepotentialforbondsorguarantees;
- Exploringmodelsofexpansionspacedevelopmentsfromestablishedbiotechnologycentresoverseas;
- ConsideringtheCity’spolicyonincentivesandexploringthepotentialforengagingStateandFederalsupport.
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• Furtherevaluatethepotentialforsharedservicestobeincorporatedintheexpansionspacefacilitydevelopment(thevideoconferencing,andtelecommunications,marketintelligence,I.T.supportandchildcarefacilities).IndoingsotheCityofMelbournecouldliaisewithotherorganisationsthatareactiveindevelopingproposalsandideasforsomeoftheseservices,forexampleDIIRDandtheBioMelbourneNetwork.
• Explorethepotentialavailabilityoflowcostlandbyinvestigating,throughgovernmentchannels,ifthereareopportunitiesarisingfromhospitalsitepermitsthroughtheParkvilleprecinctdevelopmentplans.
• Provideadviceandactivesupportforzoning,planningandpermitapprovalsfortheexpansionspacedevelopmentandthebroaderprecinctconcept.
6.4.2CitiesofHumeandWhittlesea
ThereareopportunitiesfortheCitiesofHumeandWhittleseafromemergingareasofbiotechnologyinbioactivesandcomplementarymedicines.Theseopportunitieshavealongtimescale(5-10years),butareacloserfittothecharacteristicsofHumeandWhittleseathandrugdiscovery.Ifrealised,theseopportunitiesofferthepotentialforabroadbaseofhighvalueaddedemploymentinprimaryproduction,processingandmanufacturing.
ItisrecommendedthattheBioCouncilsAlliancemembersinthenorthernsuburbscontinuetoforgecloserelationshipswithRMITUniversity.TheBioCouncilsAlliancememberscanplayapracticalroleinhelpingtoengageindustryintheextensionoftheirwork(forexampleinengagingfoodprocessingcompanies,manufacturingcompaniesgrowersandprocessors).
RMITishighlyactiveinbiologicalsciences,itsbiotechnologyactivitiesarebecomingconcentratedinBundoora.Thenatureofitsworkisoftenappliedresearch,whichtypicallylendsitselfwelltoindustryuptake.TherearemanypotentialindustrydevelopmentopportunitiesthatareassociatedwithRMITasmentionedthroughoutthisreport,forexampletheworkofProfessorDavidStalkerinbioactives,AssociateProfessorXueinComplementaryMedicinesandProfessorMajewskiinDrugDiscoveryTechnologies.TheHeadofSchool,ProfessorColoehasalsooutlinedarangeofresearchfieldsthathaveopportunitiesforindustrydevelopment.
ThereisinterestatRMITindevelopingapilotscaleplantforfoodprocessing.Ifthisisestablisheditmaybecomeafocalpointforadvancedscienceinfoodprocessing(forexampleusingbioactiveproperties).Ifsothereareadvantagesinlinkingthefoodprocessingcompanieswithinthemunicipalitiestosuchafacilityasameansofengagingtraditionalcompaniesinnewdirections.Thatmayultimatelyleadtonewemploymentandinvestmentopportunities.
AlthoughDPIisamajordriverofactivityandithasexcitingfutureplans,muchofthisworkwillbeconcentratedinacentralfacilityattheLaTrobeUniversityR&DPark,whichdoesnotfallintothemunicipalboundariesofHumeorWhittlesea.Inaddition,DPIwillbeconcentratingitsresourcesonasmallernumberofhighimpactresearchareasinordertogaincriticalmass.Muchofthisinvolves‘smallfootprint’science,whichmeansitcanbedoneonacomputer,inawetlaborincontainedglasshouses.ThereislimitedopportunityforwidescaleexpansionrequiringextensivelandorcommercialspaceintheCitiesofWhittleseaorHume.TheauthorsnotethattheremaybeotheropportunitieswithinDPIandtherewerelimitationsinthenumberofpersonsthatcouldbeinterviewedintheprojecttimeframe.WesuggestthatongoingcommunicationsremainopenwithDPI.
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DiscussionswereheldwithDIIRD,BioCommandRMITregardingthedevelopmentofaComplementaryMedicinessector.Oneofthefindingsofthisreportisthatthereisworkrequiredtomapthevaluechaintoidentifyopportunitiestoengagelocaleconomicactivity.TheauthorsareawarethatDIIRDisconsideringsuchastudyandthatitmaypotentiallyinvolveFederalGovernmentsupport.TheBioCouncilsAlliancemaybevaluablestakeholderinthatstudybecauseoftheworkalreadydoneinapilotprograminorganisingherbgrowersbytheCityofWhittlesea.
TheCitiesofHumeandWhittleseaalsohaveadvantagesaslocationsformanufacturinganddistributionbusinesses.Howeverthisreporthasconfirmedthatthefutureprospectsfordrugmanufacturinganddistributiononanymajorscalearelimited.
TheCityofHumealsohasadvantagesasalocationfortestingcompaniesbecauseofitscloseproximitytotheairport.Howevertheresponsefromthecompanyinterviewswasthatforthemajorityoftesting(exceptnuclearmedicinetracematerial)theydonotneedtobedirectlyadjacenttotheairport.Thereforetheopportunitiesarisingfromtheexpansionofexistingbiomedicalbiotechnologycompaniesarelimited.
6.4.3CitiesofMonashandKnox
ThereareimmediateopportunitiesofinteresttotheCitiesofMonashandKnox.Accordingtoourindustryresearchthereisaconsiderableconvergenceoccurringintargeteddiagnostics,asoutlinedinSection6.3.2ofthisreport.TherearemanycompaniesinMonashandKnoxwithactiveinterestsinthisfield,forexampleWikore,MinfabandInvetech.TherearealsonewinvestmentsinmedicalimagingbeingmadeintheMonashSTRIP,andweareawareoffuturemanufacturingspacerequirementsfromtheCRCforMedicalImagingandBertholdAustralia.Thisconcentrationofcommercialinterestislikelytoincreasewiththecommissioningofthesynchrotron.
Theinfrastructureneedsoftheseconvergentcompaniesaresimilartootheradvancedmanufacturersrequiringhighstandard,modernfacilities.TheroleofLocalgovernmentisnotnecessarilytofacilitateadedicatedwetlabdevelopment,butmoretopromoteandencouragecrosssectorengagementofcompaniesinthesefields.
TheopportunitiesoutlinedinthisreportarehighlyconsistentwiththeworkbeingconductedbyDIIRDinitsprecinctdevelopmentplansfortheMonashareaandtheSouthEastInnovationandTechnologyClusterProject.WeconcludethatthebestprospectsforjobcreationandinvestmentcreationforMonashandKnoxliesinacontinuedinvolvementwiththeseinitiatives.
TheCitiesofMonashandKnoxalsohavelocationadvantagesformanufacturinganddistributionbusinesses,howeverthisreportconcludesthattherearelimitedopportunitiesfromexistingbiomedicalbiotechnologycompanies.
TheSouthEasternsuburbshaveanumberofcompanieswithpharmaceuticalmanufacturingcapabilitiesatarangeofdifferentlevels;GSKasaglobalpharmaceuticalmanufacturer,SigmaasacontractmanufacturerofcommercialscalequantitiesofpharmaceuticalsandIDTasamanufacturerofspecialtypharmaceuticalsforclinicaltrials.EachofthesecompaniesservesademandbasefarbeyondVictoria.IftherewasadramaticincreaseindemandfromVictorianbiotechnologycompanies,itmaynotoverlystresstheproductionvolumesofthesecompanies.Weconcludethatalthoughtherearesomefuturegrowthopportunities,itmayresultinadditionalproductthroughputorsomeexpansionofexistingcompanies,ratherthanattractalargenumberofnewcompanies.
WealsonotethatthefutureoftheDPIKnoxfieldsite(theInstituteforHorticulturalDevelopment)islimitedbecauseoftheconcentrationofDPIfacilitiesandresearchdirectioninBundoora.
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Asforbiomedicalbiotechnology,Monashalsoratedasapreferredlocationforbiomedicalbiotechnologycompanies,andthereareanumberofcompanieswhoarelocatedintheMonasharea.However,atthisstageofindustrydevelopmentitisdoubtfulifthereissufficientdemandforasecondexpansionspacedevelopmentforbiomedicalbiotechnologycompanies.Astheindustrycontinuestoexpanditmayreachapointinthefuturewherethisisviable.
6.4.4CityofWyndham
ThemainbiotechnologyrelatedopportunityfortheCityofWyndhamappearstobeinbiofuelsandbioplastics.Thisisarapidlyemergingareaofinterestworldwide(seecommentsinSection6.3.5)andthereareatleasttwocompaniesactiveinthisarena(PlanticandAxiomEnergy).Thetimeframeofthereportprecludedfurtherinvestigationoftheseopportunitiesbutourinitialdeskresearchindicatedthatthisisafieldthatislikelytoattractinvestment.Victoriadoeshaveastrongsciencebaseandresourcescouldbeturnedtowardsthisareaofapplicationiftherewassufficientattentiondevotedtoit.
OurrecommendationisthattheCityofWyndhamshouldconsiderifbiofuelsandbioplasticsisafieldthatitwouldliketopursueinthemediumtolongterm.TheCityofWyndhamcouldbecometheactivechampioninthisfieldandmaybeabletoharnessinterestfromotherStateandFederalagencies.Ifso,theCityofWyndhamwouldneedtobeginwithpreliminarystudyofthepotentialelementsfromwhichanindustrycouldbecreated.Itcouldholddiscussionswithexistingchemicalandpetrochemicalcompaniestogaugetheirlevelofinterest,assessthecapabilitiesoftheCityofWyndhamasalocation,thenassessVictoria’ssciencebaseasasourceofintellectualpropertyandcapabilities.Iftheopportunitycomestofruitionitwouldmeansignificantcapitalinvestmentinproduction,processingandextractionofbioactivepropertiesforfuels,plasticsandotherapplications.
TheCityofWyndhamcouldalsoexplorethepotentialofexpandingtheuseoftheAQISapprovedGMOtrialsiteownedbyAgrifoodTechnologiesasthebaseforlargerscalefieldtrialsforthedevelopmentofgeneticallymodifiedcropswithbioactiveproperties.
WeinterviewedsomecurrentWerribeeprecincttenantstounderstandtheirfuturedirectionsandtoidentifyifthereareopportunitiesasnaturalextensionoftheircurrentstrengths.Wefoundthatoneoftheopportunitiesisnotbiotechnologyrelated.FoodScienceAustraliaisinterestedindevelopingpilotscalefacilitiesforfoodprocessingandhopestobeabletoengagebothlocalsmallandmediumfoodprocessorsandalsomajorinternationalfoodprocessingcompanies.ThatisnotnecessarilybiotechnologyrelatedhoweverbecausetherearereservationsinthefoodprocessingindustryaboutitusingGMOproductforhumanconsumption,asoutlinedearlierinthisreport,itisanopportunityforemploymentandinvestmentnonethelessandcouldbeexploredfurtherbytheCityofWyndham.ThepotentialroleoftheCityistohelpfacilitateaccesstoexistingfoodprocessingcompaniestohelpthemengageintheattractionofadvancedtechnologyandbecomeinvolvedinthepilotfacilitiesatFoodScienceAustralia.
WearealsoawarethatDPIhasresearchfacilitiesintheWerribeeprecinct,althoughweunderstandthatthefuturedirectionofDPIinvestmentistowardsitsBundooralocation.
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6.5FrameworkforAction
Table 5. Framework for Action
Item Action Responsibilities
1. Commoninterestareas
1.1 Advocacy
• MaintainsupportfortheBioCouncilsAllianceascollaborationofcouncilswithaninterestinadvocatingtheeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesassociatedwithbiotechnology.
All
1.2 Collaborate to compete
• BioCouncilsAlliancemembersshoulddevelopcomplementaryinterestsinspecificniches,forexampledrugdevelopment,targeteddiagnostics,bioactives,biofuelsandcomplementarymedicines.Targetedcouncilinvolvementwouldhelpconcentrateeconomicactivitiesintoparticularmunicipalities.
All
1.3 Promote Victoria’s capabilities
• DevelopmaterialsthatpromotethediversityofresourcesandcapabilitieswithintheState.HighlightthespecificcapabilitiesthatBioCouncilAlliancemembershaveinsupportingbiotechnologycompanyestablishmentandrelocation.
• AttendABIC2006asaconferenceexhibitorunderasingleBioCouncilsAlliancebanner.
All
1.4 Host delegations
• Remainengagedinhostingofinternationaldelegationswithinterestsinbiotechnologyinvestmentandrelocation
• PresentthebenefitsofeachoftheBioCouncilsAlliancemunicipalitiesinspecificniches.
All
1.5 Engage all levels of Government
• SendcopiesofthisreporttoDIIRD,DPI,BiotechnologyAustraliaandInvestAustraliaasacatalystfordiscussion.
• Seekfeedbackonareasofmutualinterestandwherelocalgovernmentmayassisttheimplementationofinvestmentandjobcreationinitiatives.
• Developforumsforregularcrosscommunication,forexampleaquarterlyorbi-annualsharingofinformationbetweenlevelsofgovernment.
All
1.6 Remain Engaged with Industry
• Sendcopiesofthereport(orextracts)tothosewhocontributedcommentstothereport.
• SeektheirongoingfeedbacktoensurethattheBioCouncilsAllianceremainsintunewithandrespondstoindustryneedsastheydevelop.
• Developlongtermallianceswithorganisationsthatareworkinginfieldsthatmaygeneratesignificantnewindustries(forexamplekeepclosetotheactivitiesofRMIT,keepclosetothoseinvolvedinmedicaldiagnosticimagingandthoseinvolvedinnanotechnology).
All
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2 Playactiveroleinland/precinct/sectordevelopments
2.1 Capital efficient expansion space for existing biotechnology companies.
• Facilitatethedevelopmentofexpansionspaceforbiotechnologycompaniesby;
• Attractingdevelopers
• Creatingtherightbusinessmodel
• Siteselection
• Zoning,planningandpermits
• Incentives
CityofMelbourne
2.2 Capital efficient facilities design for existing biotechnology companies.
• Provideinputtothebuildingdesignforexpansionspace;investigatethefeasibilityofprovidingthefollowingfacilitiesonasharedservicesarrangement:
• Videoconferencingandtelecommunications
• MarketIntelligence
• InformationTechnologySupport
• EmployeeServices
CityofMelbourne
2.3 Creating local jobs from complementary medicines.
• LiaisewithDIIRDinconductingadetailedstudyofthevaluechainforComplementaryMedicinesandensurethereisfocusonhowthiscanbetranslatedintoinvestmentandemploymentcreation.
• Remaininvolvedintrialprogramswithgrowers,theVictorianFarmersFederationandotherstocontinuallyencouragecommercialinterestinComplementaryMedicines.
CouncilswithaninterestinComplementaryMedicines.(potentiallyWhittleseaandHume)
2.4 Creating a local scientific, primary production and industrial base from bio fuels and bio plastics
• AssessthefeasibilityandcompetitivenessofaVictorianbiofuelsandbioplasticsindustrybase.ConductasystematicevaluationofthepotentialfordevelopmentinVictoria.IdentifyifthereareparticularcropsorapplicationsthatarebestsuitedtoVictoria’sclimate,primaryproduction,processingandindustrialbasethatwillprovideasustainablecompetitiveadvantage.
• Takealeadroleinfacilitatingthedevelopmentofthissectorbycoordinatingthosewithinterestsinthesupplychain;scientists,growers,processors,downstreamusers,investorsandgovernmentagencies.
(potentiallyCityofWyndham)
2.5 Attracting industry to bio processing
• Workwithcurrentscientiststofurtherevaluatethepotentialofvalueaddedprocessingofcropswithbioactivepropertiesandthepotentialusesofnewbioreactors.
• Identifyandengagelocalcompaniesorinvestorstoencouragetheirparticipation.
• FollowupwithDIIRDontherecommendationsofthe2004BSDPfortheprovisionofpilotscalemanufacturinginfrastructureforbioprocessing.
Councilswithaninterestinbioactivesgrowingandprocessing.
(potentiallytheCitiesofHume,Whittlesea,Wyndham)
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2.6 Attracting commercial interest in targeted diagnostics (pharmacogenomics)
• Encouragethecrosssectorcommunicationsthatarerequiredintheconvergingdiagnosticsfield,encouragingcreativitythroughtheintersectionofdisciplinesfrominformationtechnology,medicalimaging,advancedmanufacturingtechnologyandnanotechnology.
• Encourageexistingcompaniesworkinginthesesectorstoturntheirattentiontowardsopportunitiesinbiotechnologyandadvanceddiagnostics.
• ContinuetoparticipateintheSouthEastRegionalDevelopmentplanandtheMonashprecinctplansbeingdevelopedbyDIIRD.Wheregovernmentinitiativesrelatetostrengtheningthescienceandtechnologybase,playanadvocacyroletoensuretherearemeansthroughwhichtheinitialsciencecanbeextendedintolocaljobsandinvestments.
Councilswithinterestsintargeteddiagnosticsandpharmacogenomics.
(potentiallytheCitiesofKnoxandMonash)
3. Assistwithspecialistplanningpermits(GMO,animalhousing)
3.1 • Developoracquireachecklistofplanningpermissionsanditemsrequiredfortheestablishmentofaprecinct.
• CommunicatewithCitiesintheUSAorelsewherewhomayhavechecklistmodelsthatcanbeadaptedforlocaluse.
• Developoracquireachecklistofpermitsandapprovalsrequiredforanindividualcompanytomakeatransitionintoabiotechnologycompanyprecinct.Theprocesswillbesimilarbutthechecklistitemsdifferbetweenabioactivesprecinctandabiomedicalprecinct.
Anycouncilinvolvedinprecinctfacilitation.
4. Workwithcommunityattitudes
4.1 • Developspecialisationsinparticularareasofinteresttobebetterabletounderstandandadviseonindustrymatters.
• WorkwithBiotechnologyAustraliaandtheGTISinacquiringordevelopingcommunicationsmaterialsrelevanttoindustrydevelopmentandcommunityconcerns.
• Workcloselyasafacilitatorandcoordinatorofindustry.Helptochangetheattitudesofexistingparticipantstoadoptnewtechniquesorproducts,providecommunicationsandadvicetolocalcommunitiesregardinganypotentialconcerns.
Allcouncilstodevelopalibraryofinformationsourcesintheirparticularspecialisations.
Councilstoshareinformationandresourcesasrequired.
5. Provideinformationonsuitablepremises;
5.1 • Individualcouncilsdecidewhetherthisisaservicetheywilloffer.Councilsmaydecidetolimittheirservicesonlytonichesaligningwiththeirspecificinterests(forexampledrugdiscovery,diagnostics,agriculturalorindustrialbiotechnology).
Eachtoconsiderindividually
6. TraditionalCouncilServices
6.1 No action required
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Inadditiontothepublishedbrief,aseriesofindividualinterviewswereheldwitheachcouncil.Theinterviewsconfirmedthatcouncilsareinterestedinunderstandingwhatcanbedonetoattractandretainbiotechnologycompanies(andthoseassociatedwiththeirvaluechains)tocouncilareas.Italsoconfirmsthattheinterestslieinattractingandretaininginvestment,establishingphysicallocation,andskilledemployment.Theirinterestscouldbedefinedinthreemainthemes;
1.Tounderstandthelifecycleofbiotechnologycompanies;
• Usingthelifecyclemodeltoeducatecouncilsaboutbiotechnologycompanies;
• Tohelpplotwhereeachcompanyisnow,whereitmightbeanditsfutureinfrastructureneeds;
• Usingthelifecyclemodeltounderstandwhyinvestmentdecisionsaremade,andwhylocationandemploymentdecisionsaremade.
2.Tounderstandthenatureandextentofdemandforinfrastructure;
• Industrialparkspaceforgrowingbiotechnologycompanies;
• Identifyingtheroleoflocalgovernmentinthesematters.
3.Tounderstandtherangeofadvice,advocacyandservicesrequiredoflocalgovernment;
• Thatmayincludetraditionalbusinesssupportandplanningroles;
• TheremayalsobeaninterestinCouncilsasalinktocommunityconcernsandattitudesaboutbiotechnology.
Table 6: Interests of Councils
Municipality Specificinterests
CityofHume • Anestablishedindustrialanddistributionbase,closetoairports.
• Smallbaseofexistingbiotechnologycompanies.
• NotnecessarilyexpectingbiomedicalcompaniestorelocatetoHume.
• MoreinterestedinwhethersomeelementsofthevaluechainarebettersuitedtoHume,forexamplehighvalue,timecriticalbusinessessuchasdiagnosticservicesandtestinglaboratories.
• Hasasignificantfoodprocessingbaseandinterestedintherelationshipofbiotechnologyinthatvaluechain.
• Someinterestinthepotentialtrainingneeds(forexampleGLP/GMPtrainingopportunitiesforTAFE).
• Australia’slargestlistedbiotechcompany,CSL,hasamajorpresenceinHumebutCouncilisalreadyawareoftheirneeds.
CityofKnox • IsinterestedinthedevelopmentandpromotionoftheSouthEastcorridor.
• Isinterestedinthepotentialforbiotechnologycompanies(ortheirsuppliers)astenantsofpremiumindustrialparks.
• HasabaseofpharmaceuticalmanufacturersinthegreaterregionincludingGSK,SigmaandIDT.
• Alsointerestedinfoodprocessing.
CityofMelbourne • Hasabaseofestablishedandgrowingbiotechnologycompanies,aswellasestablisheduniversityandmedicalresearchprecincts(Parkville,TheAlfred).
• HadaskedtheBioMelbournenetworktosurvey6-8biotechnologycompaniesregardingtheirspaceneeds.Thatcanbebuiltuponbyaskingthesefirmsmoreabouttheirlifecycleissuesandextendingthespacesurveytootherfirms.
7 AppendiX 1. speCifiC inteRests of CoUnCiLs
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CityofMonash • Hasabaseofestablishedandgrowingbiotechnologycompanies,anestablishedmedicalresearchandtechnologyprecinctaroundMonashUniversity.
• IsinvolvedintheSouthEastInnovationandTechnologyClusterPrecinct.
• TherearesomebiotechnologycompaniesthathavehaddiscussionswithMonashSTRIPregardingtheirfuturegrowthneeds.
CityofWhittlesea • Smallbaseofexistingbiotechnologycompanies.
• NotnecessarilyexpectingbiomedicalcompaniestorelocatetoWhittlesea.
• RMIThasagrowingbiotechnologypresenceindrugdiscoveryandinagriculturalbiotech.
• TheLaTrobeincubatorandR&DParkisnotinthemunicipalitybutWhittleseaisinterestedifthereareexpansionneedsoftheirtenants.
• Alsointerestedincomplementarymedicinesandisactivelysupportingatrialprograminthisarena.
• Significantrurallandholdingsinthemunicipality,interestedintheagriculturalandanimalbiotechnologyopportunities(e.g.controlledfieldtriallocations)forhighvaluelanduse.
CityofWyndham • Smallbaseofexistingbiotechnologycompanies,thereisagrowingclusterintheGeelongareabutnotnecessarilyexpectingbiomedicalcompaniestorelocatetoWyndham.
• TherehavebeenaseriesofdevelopmentplansfortheWerribeeprecinctovertime,someinvolvingbiotechnologyaspects.
• Interestedinthecurrentprecincttenants,theirfuturegrowthplansandthepotentialforbiotechnologyindustriestoemergefromresearchinfoodproduction,processingandanimalhealth.
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DefinitionsofBiotechnologyCompaniesTherearemanydifferentdefinitionsusedtocharacterisethebiotechnologysector,dependingontheintendeduseofthedefinition.Thefollowingsectiondiscussesthedefinitionsthataregenerallyusedinthissectoranddescribestheparticularareasthatwereexploredinthisproject.
• Core Biotechnology-Corebiotechnologycompaniesusescience-basedapproachestounderstand,mimicorcontrolbiologicalprocess.Theyareofteninvolvedingeneticanalysisormanipulation.Typicallythetechnicalcompetencyandbusinessmodelof‘core’companiesdependsonexploitingintellectualpropertyembeddedinmolecular,cellularandtissuebiology.Thesecompaniesundertakeresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesinlaboratories,inhospitals,onfarmsandindiagnosticlaboratories.Examplesofsuchcompaniesare:Biota,ViraxHoldings,AmradandStarpharma.
• Popular Biotechnology–Inrecentyearstherehasbeenabroadeningofthedefinitionofthebiotechnologysector.Themostrecent2005Ernst&YoungGlobalBiotechnologyReportstates“Biotechnologycompaniesaredefinedascompaniesthatusemodernbiologicaltechniquestodevelopproductsorservicesforhumanhealthcareoranimalhealthcare,agriculturalproductivity,foodprocessing,renewableresources,industrialmanufacturing,orenvironmentalmanagement.”18
Itisimportanttonotethatadvancedknowledgeaboutbreedingtechniquesandbiologicalprocesseshasbeenusedforcenturies.Longestablishedmanufacturersandprocessors,forexamplebeermakersandcheesemakers,havealwaysusedbiotechnology.
TypesofCompany
Today’sCompaniesandTomorrow’sCompanies
Oneimportantaspectoftheproject’sdesignwastonotonlyidentifythegrowthneedsoftoday’scompaniesbutalsotoidentifywheretomorrow’scompanieswillcomefrom.Theymaybemedicalcompanies,butcouldalsocomefromdifferentsectorsforexamplefoodprocessing,agriculture,industrialorenvironmentalsectors.Thisisimportanttoknowbecausedifferentcouncilsmaybebettersuitedfordifferentaspectsoftheemergingbiotechnologysector.
CompanyBusinessModels–Physicalvs.Virtual
ThereareanumberofbiotechnologycompaniesinVictoriawhohave‘virtual’operations.Virtualoperatorscontract-outthemajorityoftheirinputs(forexampleResearch&Development,Manufacturing,Sales)andtheiractualproductissimplyatechnologylicense.AlthoughthesecompaniescreateeconomicwealthfortheState,theydonotmakepermanentinvestmentsinpeopleorinfrastructure.WhileStateandFederalindustrydevelopmentpoliciesencourageallbiotechnologycompanies,thisBioCouncilsAllianceprojectismoreinterestedincompaniesthatwillhaveastrongphysicalpresence.Oneoftheimportantthemesofthisprojectwillbetoidentifyifthereisarolethatlocalgovernmentcanplayincreatinganenvironmentthatencouragesphysical,ratherthanvirtualoperations.
8 AppendiX 2. definitions And types of CoMpAnies inteRViewed
18 BeyondBorders.GlobalBiotechnologyReport2005.Ernst&Young.
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ListedversusStart-up
Thefocusofthisreportisonbiotechnologycompanieswithexpansionneedsandthosewiththeabilitytocreatejobsandpermanentinvestment.Thathasledtheauthorstoconcentrateonlistedbiotechnologycompanies,whereasmanyotherreportsonthebiotechnologysector,respondingtodifferentbriefs,havefocusedmoreonstart-upcompanies.Whilestart-upcompaniesareimportant,thestatisticscanbemisleadingbecauseaproportionofthesecompaniesarevirtualoperators,orareessentiallyproductdevelopmentprojectsinacompanyshell.Asteadyflowofstart-upcompaniesisvitaltothecontinuedhealthofthebiotechnologysectorbuttheyarenot,atthatstageoftheirdevelopment,majoremployersorinvestorsinpermanentinfrastructure.Hencethefocusofthisprojectisoncompaniesatmoreadvancedstagesofdevelopment.
Limitations
Therearelimitationstothisproject,aswithallstudies,thatareconductedwithinadefinedbudgetandadefinednumberofinterviews.Initiallythebrieffocusedontheexpansionneedsofexistingcompanies,whowereprimarilyinthebiomedicalsector.Itwasagreedtoexpandthesearchtoexplorenewareas,forexampleagricultural,industrialandenvironmentalbiotechnologythatmaybetteralignwiththestrengthsofsomeBioCouncilAlliancemembers.Itmeantthattheinterviewswerespreadacrossbothexistingandnewopportunities.
Wedonotfeelthattheanalysisoftheexistingbiomedicalcompanieshasbeenhamperedinanyway.Theauthorsbelievetheyhaveidentifiedthemainissues,andfoundtherewasasignificantdegreeofsimilarityofresponses.Theauthorsarealsoinregularcontactwithmanyofthesecompaniesandwereabletodrawupontheknowledgegainedfromrelatedprojectsthatalsoexaminedcompanydevelopmentissues.
Thelimitationshavebeeninthedepthofanalysisofnewopportunities.Inaprojectofthisscope,theauthorshavebeenabletogainaccesstoleadingscientistsandindustryexpertsandforthemtoidentifythemainareasofpotentialinterestforfutureindustrydevelopment.Theauthorshavenotconductedanydetailedinvestigationofeachoftheareasidentified,orvalidatedtheclaimsmadebytheseexperts.ThepurposewastoidentifyareasofopportunitysothattheBioCouncilsAllianceorindividualmemberscouldthenexploretheseinmoredetailiftherewassufficientinterestinaparticulartopic.
OperatingBiotechnologyCompaniesThereweresixteenoperatingbiotechnologycompaniesinterviewed,asoutlinedinthefollowingtable.Theprojectsoughttomapoutthelifecycleofbiotechnologycompaniesandalsotoidentifytheexpansionneedsofgrowingbiotechnologycompanies.Thecompanieswereselectedforinterviewbecausetheywereidentifiedtohaveactivelyexpandingbusinesses.
Ashortdescriptionofeachcompanyispresentedinthefollowingtabletoillustratetheworkthattheydo,theirintendedbusinessmodels,andthestageofdevelopmentoftheirproductpipelines.Theinformationcamefrompubliclyavailablesourcesincludingcompanywebsites,annualreports,ASXannouncementsandinvestorpresentations.Furtherdetailontheirlifecycle,valuechainpositionandfutureintentionswascollectedduringindividualinterviewsandispresentedinlatersections.
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Shortcasedescriptionsofcompanies
AcruxAcruxisadynamicAustralianspecialtypharmaceuticalcompanywithvisionandskillsintransdermal drug delivery systems-waysofadministeringdrugsthroughtheskin-formanytherapeuticuses.Acrux’scorebusinessisthedevelopmentandcommercialisationofitstransdermaldrugdeliverytechnologyoriginallydiscoveredatMonashUniversity.Acrux’sbusinessmodelisbasedonitstechnologyaddingvaluetodrugswhichalreadyhaveregulatoryapprovalandwhichareconsideredsafeandeffectiveforuseinhumans.Acruxcanthereforeavoidmanyofthecostlyandtime-consumingprocessesinvolvedinmeetingregulatoryrequirements.Acrux’scommercialvaluedriversconsistof:
• Applyingtechnologytoalargenumberofhighvaluehumanandveterinarypharmaceuticalandhealthcareproducts.Thiswillbedonethroughlicensing,royaltyarrangementandothercollaborations;and
• ReplacingproductsusingcurrentdeliverytechnologywithproductsusingGroupTechnology.Initially,Acruxintendstoenterglobalmarketsbyformingpartnershipswithcompanieswithmarketingandsalesexpertise.TheGroupalsointendstodevelopproductsfornichemarketstoparticipatedirectlyinproductsales.
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AmradAmradCorporationLimitedisadrug discovery and developmentbiotechnologycompany.Amrad’scorebusinessisdiscoveringandcommercialisingdrugsbasedonmoleculesthebodynormallyusestoregulateitsvariousinternalprocesses.Thesemolecules,knownasbiologicalsorcytokines,areinvolvedintheregulationofabroadrangeofbodilyfunctionsandhencemayhaveapplicationsinavarietyofdiseases.Amrad’scurrentR&Dportfolioincludesprojectsinthetherapeuticareasofcancer, inflammation, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
AvexaAvexaCorporationisinthebusinessofdiscovery and developmentofanti-infectivepharmaceuticalmedicinesforthetreatmentofserioushumaninfectiousdiseases.Avexa’sprincipalresearchprogramsfocusonthediscoveryofinnovativemedicinesforthetreatmentofthediseasescausedby:
• HumanImmunodeficiencyVirus(HIV);
• HepatitisB(HBV);and
• Vancomycin-andmethicillin-resistantbacteria.
BiomassConversionTechnologiesAstart-upcompanyfocusingonconversionofethanol from straw.BCTisacompanyassociatedwithProfessorStalkerfromRMIT.ProfessorStalkerwasoneoftheoriginal12foundersofCalgeneIncin1981,thepioneeringagriculturalbiotechnologycompanyfromCalifornia.From2002-2004hewasCorporateVicePresidentforVentriaBioscience,aCaliforniabasedbiotechnologycompanyspecialisinginplantderivedproductionofpharmaceutical/nutritionalproteins.
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CryptomeCryptomePharmaceuticalisadrugdiscovery and development company.Cryptomeusesitsproprietary“Cryptomics”technologytodiscover“hidden”or“cryptic”peptidefragmentswithinexistinglargerproteins.Thecompany’sscreeningandhit-identificationtechnologyyieldsleadcandidateswithgreaterimmediatesignificancefortheinhibitionofphysiologicfunctionsoperatingindiseasestates.Currentlythecompanyfocusesoncardiovascular, neuroinflammatory diseases and cancer.
Itcurrentlyhasfourcompoundsinthepreclinicalphaseandtencompoundsindiscoveryphase,includingananti-coagulantleadmoleculeCR001,whichhasnowbeenshowntohaveinvivoefficacy.
CytopiaCytopiaisaMelbourne-baseddrug discovery and developmentcompanycommittedtoredefiningthewaymedicinesarediscovered.Thecompanyispositionedatthecutting-edgeofstructure-basedrationaldrugdesignanddiscovery.Theirvisionistodiscoveranddevelopanewgenerationoftherapeuticdrugsforcancerandimmunedisease.Itsmajortherapeutictargetsare:Cancer,(specificallyProstateCancer,Lymphoma,Leukemia,andMultipleMyeloma);andImmune Disease,(includingRheumatoidArthritisandAtopicdiseases,suchasEczemaandAsthma).
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EvogenixEvoGenixisaproduct-focusedbiotechnologycompanydeveloping novel therapeutics for significant medical markets.EvoGenixappliesitsproprietaryantibodyengineeringplatformsforhumanisation,optimisationandtoxinconjugationtodevelophighlypotenttherapeuticantibodiesagainstclinicallyvalidateddrugtargets.
EQiTXEQiTXLimitedisdedicatedtothecommercialresearchanddevelopmentofnewtherapeutic drugsforchronicdiseasesandconditionsaffectingtheaging population.Thecompanyisacquiringandmaturingaportfoliooftechnologies,withthepotentialtodevelopmorethanasingleproductthatiscommerciallyattractivetomultinationalbiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalcompanies.ItisinterestingtonotethatEQiTXrelocatedwithinthelast2yearsfromPerthtoMelbournetobeclosertoinvesteecompanies.
GeneticTechnologiesGeneticTechnologiesspecialises in the fields of genetics and genomics.Itisaglobalpioneerinrecognisingtheimportanceof‘non-coding’DeoxyriboNucleicAcid(DNA).Thisresearchdiscoveryenabledustopatentstrategiesbywhichnon-codingvariationintheDNAisutilisedtoanalysegeneticmaterialandalsotomapgenesandtraitsofinterestacrossallmulti-cellularspecies.Thesepatentsformthebasisoftheirsubstantial licensing activities.Inadditiontoongoinglicensingandresearchactivities,theyutilisedtheirlaboratoryandgeneticsexpertisetobuildaDNA testing business-providingtestingforhumans,animalsandplantsincluding;diseasesusceptibilityforconditionsasdiverseascancer,heartdiseaseandblooddisorders,humansportsperformance,humanrelatednessandpaternitytestingservices,forensictesting,plantbreedingimprovementandprogenydetermination,aquacultureandmarinespeciesparentage.
IliadChemicals(sinceacquiredbyBionomics)IliadChemicalsisadrug discovery and development company,withproductcompoundsincancer and multiple sclerosis.IliadChemicalsusesanovelchemicalstrategytoprovideefficientsynthesisofmoleculestraditionallyregardedastoocomplexforachemicallibraryapproachtodrugdiscovery.Usingthistechnology,IliadChemicalshasproducedatargetedlibraryofnovelmoleculesthatarepotenttubulinpolymerisationinhibitors.Thisisanimportanttargetforthetreatmentofcancer.ThecompanyplanstodevelopitsownleadcompoundtothestageofPhaseIIclinicaltrials.
MeditechMeditechResearchLimitedisanAustralian,development stage,biotechnologycompanyfocusedondevelopingandcommercialisingdrugsthatimprovethehealthandqualityoflifeofpatientswithcancer and other chronic diseases.
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MetabolicMetabolicPharmaceuticalsLimitedhasthemissionofdeveloping novel therapiesfordiseaseswithapplicationtoworldwidemarkets,includingobesity,obesity-relateddiseasessuchastype 2 diabetes,andmorerecently,pain, and osteoporosis.Thecompany’soperatingstrategyistooutsourcemuchofitsactivities,minimisinginfrastructureandoverheadcostswhilemaximisingaccesstoworld-classexpertise.Contractresearchorganisationsandothercontractdevelopersarebeingusedforallaspectsofthecompany’spharmaceuticaldevelopments,includingformulation,manufacturing,preclinicalstudiesandclinicalstudies.Theseoutsourcingactivitiesarecloselycontrolledbythecompany’smanagement,whichhasthebenefitofsubstantialskillsandexperienceintheclinicaldevelopmentofdrugs,themanagementofresearchandahigh-levelofdecision-makingexperienceintheinternationalpharmaceuticalindustry.
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PlanticPlanticTechnologiesLtdwasformedin2001tocommercialisetechnologydevelopedattheAustralianCo-OperativeResearchCentreforInternationalFoodManufactureandPackagingScience.‘Plastic from Plants’.Planticisanewstarchbasedbiopolymerthatiswatersolubleandbiodegradable.PlanticTechnologiesLimiteddevelopsandmanufacturesbiodegradablematerialsmadefromrenewableresourcesthatassistmanufacturersandretailersachieveenvironmentallyfriendlysolutionstotheirpackagingandproductneeds.AccordingtoWiredMagazine“Itcouldbethebiggestthingsinceslicedbreadwaswrappedincellophane:biodegradablefoodpackagingthat’scheapenoughtocompetewithconventionalplastic.Onceused,itcanbethrownontothecompostheaporeveneaten.Thetechnology,developedbytheAustraliangovernment,couldhelpusherina21stcenturygreenrevolution.Cornfieldsratherthanoilfieldscouldsatisfymuchoftheenormousdemandforplastic.Ahugechunkofthe24milliontonsofplasticthatAmericanstosseachyearwouldendupinbackyardcom-postersinsteadoflandfills.Andthenthere’sthecarnagethatwouldbeavoidediftheplasticpollutingtheworld’soceansdissolvedratherthankillingseaturtles,furseals,andotherwildlife”(WiredIssue10.07|Jul2002).PlanticisbasedinLavertonintheCityofWyndham.
StarpharmaStarpharmaisaplatformcompanyusingspecifictechniquesinthe discovery and development of pharmaceuticals.Starpharmaiscreatingvaluefromdendrimer-basednanotechnologythrough:thedevelopmentofhigh-valuedendrimernanodrugstoaddressunmetmarketneeds(includingVivaGel™-atopicalmicrobicideforthepreventionofHIV andothersexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs));andpartneringwithpharmaceuticalcompaniestocreatenewopportunitiesandsolutionstoproblemswiththeapplicationofdendrimernanotechnology.
ViraxViraxHoldingsLtdisdeveloping immune based therapiesthatdirecttheimmunesystemtotreatdisease.TheCompanyisdedicatedtodevelopinganewclassofimmunotherapeuticstotreatwidespread,life-threateningdiseasesoftheimmunesystemincludingHIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune disease.
Virax Pipeline
Product IndicationStatus IndicationStatus
VIR201 HIVTherapy PhaseI/IIa
VIR401 HepatitisBTherapy Pre-Clinical
VIR501 LateStageProstateCancerTherapy
Pre-Clinical
Source:ViraxCorporateProfile
VitapharmVitapharmisaproduct development and marketing company.VitapharmResearchwithitscommercialoperation,VitalBiotech,isacompanythatefficientlycreatesandcommercialisestherapeuticswithlowrisk,lowcostandimmediatereturns.Itisengagedindownstreamvalue-addedbiotechnologyprocessing.
IthasR&DcentresstrategicallylocatedinMelbourne,AustraliaandChengdu,thePeoplesRepublicofChina.IthasthreeproprietaryplatformtechnologiesrelatedtodrugdeliverydevelopedbyitsAustralianR&Dcentre.
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1.ProteinStabilisationandDelivery(PSD)
2.VaccineStabilisation
3.SkinDrugDeliverySystem(SDDS)ExtensivemarketinganddistributionnetworkinthePRCExistingproductsmarketedinthePeoplesRepublicofChina;Opin,OsteoformandSpray-OnBandage.
Oftheabovesixteencompanies,oneislistedontheHongKongStockExchange,oneislistedonNASDAQ,oneisprivatelyownedandtheremainingelevenarelistedontheAustralianStockExchange(includingoneprivatefirmthatwassubsequentlyboughtoutbyanASXlistedfirm).
SupplyChainCompanies
SupplyChainCompaniesInterviewed
AgrifoodTechnologyAnAustralianWheatBoardsubsidiary.Aswellasprovidingplantandgraintestingservices,hasanAQISlicensedGMO field siteforgrowinggeneticallymodifiedcropsforthepurposesofresearchandevaluation.
BertholdAustMedical devices; diagnostic imaging.AnAustralianCompanywithlinkstotheGermanBertholdmanufacturingcompany.Manufacturerofcomplex,R&Dintensivemedicalimagingandnuclearmedicineequipmentforuseindiagnosisandindrugdevelopment.FoundationpartneroftheCRCforMedicalImaging.
CellTherapiesCellTherapiesPty.Ltdisinthebusinessofplanningandconductingclinical trialsthatinvolvethecollection,manipulationandstorageofblood cells and human tissue.Theservicesrangefromlaboratoryrentalthroughtofully-integratedplanningandexecutionofclinicaltrialsthatinvolvecellulartherapeuticsmanufacturedincodeofGoodManufacturingPractice(cGMP)andTherapeuticGoodsAdministration(TGA)licensedfacilities.
CorticalDynamicsMedical devices; Anasthesia monitoring.CorticalDynamicshasbeenestablishedtocommercialisetechnologyforsystembasedanalysisofbrainelectricalresponsesdevelopedbyresearchersfromSwinburneUniversity.ThistechnologyfacilitatesacomprehensiveanalysisofEEGrecordingsandisexpectedtoprovideareal-timemeasureofthelevelofthedepthofanaesthesiainanaesthetisedpatients.
GlaxoSmithKlineAmajorinternationalpharmaceutical companywithin-houseproductdevelopmentandmanufacturingcapabilities.Apotentialacquirerorlicenseeofbiotechcompaniesand/ortheirproducts.
InstituteforDrugTechnologies(IDT)AlistedAustraliancompanyspecialisinginpharmaceutical manufacture.Particularexpertiseinshort-runmanufacturingofproductsfordrug development and clinical trials.
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RMITDrugDiscoveryTechnologiesSpecialisedlaboratory facilities for drug discovery and development.RMITDrugDiscoveryTechnologies(RDDT)isanotforprofitunitwithintheSchoolofMedicalSciences,RDDTisdedicatedtodevelopingandprovidingOECDPrinciplesofGoodLaboratoryPracticepreclinicaltoxicologyandpharmacologyservicestothebiotechnologyandpharmaceuticalindustries.
WilkoreAdeveloperofbuildingsandfacilitiesforbiotechnology,pharmaceuticalandnanotechnologycompanies,withastronginterestinprecinctdevelopment.WilkorealsohasinterestsinMini-FabTheMicro-Bio-NanoCompany.MiniFABofferscustomisedmanufacturingandadvancedproduct development,exploitingleadingedgepolymermicrofabrication.Itsbusinessisthedesign,fabricationandintegrationofpolymermicroengineeredsystems.
IndustryExperts
Table 9: Industry Experts Interviewed
Person Background Expertise
DrMikeDalling Asuccessfulbiotechnologyentrepreneurandinvestor.ChairmanandActingCEOofLifeScienceinvestmentcompanyXceedBiotechnologyLimited.FounderorDirectorofmanyagriculturalbiotechorganisationsincludingFlorigene(Molecularbreederofcarnationsandroses),Nufarm(chemicalsandcropprotection),BioMassConversionTechnologies(ethanolfromstraw)andformerCEOoftheStrategicIndustryResearchFoundation.
AgriculturalBiotechnologycompanydevelopmentandinvestment.
DrPaulDonnelly CEOoftheCRCforInnovativeDairyProductsandDirectorofASXlistedbiotechcompanyGroPepLtd.
Agriculturalbiotechnology
DavidHudson-SGASolutions
BoardmemberofFarmacule,anAustralianmolecularfarmingcompany.FormerlywithMonsantoforover20yearsandmanageroftheirGMCanolaprogram.
AgriculturalBiotechnology
MichaelMagelakis-SSMI
CompletedasurveyofbiotechnologyskillsrequirementsfortheOfficeofTrainingandTertiaryEducation.
Biotechnologyskillsdevelopment
TimMurphy–ExecutiveDirector.BioMelbourneNetwork
TheBioMelbourneNetworkisVictoria’sbiotechnologyindustrydevelopmentorganisationwithmembershipbyleadingcompanies,researchorganisationsandserviceprovidersacrossthesector.
Biotechnologyindustrydevelopment.
Expansionspacerequirements.
MarcWeiss-VirginiaBiotechnologyResearchPark
Cityinvolvementinbiotechprecincts. Precinctdevelopment
RichardColbert-BaltimoreCounty,DeptofEconomicDevelopment-
Cityinvolvementinbiotechprecincts. Precinctdevelopment
EdPhillipchuk-AlbertaAgriculture,FoodandRuralDevelopment
Recognisedexpertinagriculturalbiotechnologyindustrydevelopment.CommentsonCanadianinvestmentinbioactiveproperties.
Agriculturalbiotechnology
JasonMajor Manager,GeneticTechnologyInformationService.
Communicationsandcommunityconsultation
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Investors
InvestorsInterviewed
StarfishVenturesGBSCapitalBioCommStarfishandGBSCapitalhavebothpre-seedfundsandexpansioncapital.AswellasaninvestorBioComm,isaproviderofcommercialisationadvicetouniversitiesandprivatecompanies.
University
Table 11: University Interviews
University Topic
UniversityofMelbourne–Bio21Institute.(DrPeterGoss)
BusinessIncubatorandResearchTransferFacility
LaTrobeUniversity–LaTrobeTechPark.(SueBell)
LaTrobeR&DParkdirections
RMITUniversity-ProfessorPeterColoe,HeadofSchoolofAppliedSciences&Biotechnology.
RMITbiotechnologyresearchdirectionsandindustrypotential
RMITUniversity–ProfessorDavidStory,AssociateProfessorCharlieXue
ChineseMedicineresearchdirectionsandindustrypotential
MonashUniversity-MonashSTRIP.(DrElaineZelcer)
Biotechparkandcompanyexpansionspace
MonashUniversity–MonashCommercial.(PeterBachelor)
Monashspin-offcompanies
Government
Table 12: Government Interviews
Organisation Topic
DIIRD–Infrastructure.CameronFrazer Infrastructureplans-WerribeeandParkvilleprecincts.
DIIRD–ClusterDevelopmentandSpecialActivitiesCentres.IreneWyld
Cluster/precinctdevelopmentplans.TheMonashPrecinct
DIIRD–ChineseMedicine.DaphneThompson ChineseMedicine/ComplementaryMedicineindustrydevelopmentstrategy
DPI–ChiefScientist.DrGrahamMitchell Scientifictrendsandopportunitiesinagriculturalbiotechnology
DPI–ActingChiefEconomist.LorisStrappazzon IndustrydevelopmentissueswithinDPI
DPI–DirectorFacilitiesandInfrastructure.FranklinTrouw
Investmentspending,facilitiesandlocationdecisionswithinDPI
DPI–InstituteforHorticulturalDevelopment.DrIanPorter
Biospheresandintensivecropproduction
FoodSciencesAustralia(CSIROandDPI)–IanGould,OperationsDirector
Trendsinfoodprocessing,agbiotech,Werribeepotential
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AssessingthecostofUSbiotechnologyfacilitiesConstructioncostscanrangefrom$US175to$US500persquarefoot,whiletenantimprovementcostscanrangefrom$US75to$US200persquarefoot.Howeverbuildoutcostscanbeashighas$US200persquarefootNNNforhighendsophisticatedlabbuildouts.Theabovecostsarebasedonatriplenet(NNN)lease.Thatrequiresthetenanttopaybaserentplusashareoftheexpensesoftheleasedproperty.Suchexpensestypicallyareitemisedwithinthefollowingcategories;taxes,insurance,operatingexpenses(maintenance,utilities,janitorial,etc).Thewetlabfacilitiesgenerallyplanforaratioof60%laband40%officeuse(whichisconsistentwiththefindingsofthespacesurveyforVictorianbiotechnologyfirmsearlierinthissection).
Table 13: Conversion of Colliers USA Biotech Data to Australian Terminology
ConversionofUSdatatoAustralianterminology USA(persquarefootpermonthin$US)
Austconversion(persquaremetreperannumin$AU)
RentalratesNNNinmajorsuburbancluster(LA&Raliegh)-low 15 23
RentalratesNNNinmajorsuburbancluster(LA&Raliegh)-high 36 54
RentalratesNNNindevelopedurbanclusters(Boston&SanFrancisco)-low
25 37
RentalratesNNNindevelopedurbanclusters(Boston&SanFrancisco)-high
50 74
Tenantimprovementpackagesfromlandlords-low 75 111
Tenantimprovementpackagesfromlandlords-high 200 297
Labbuild-outcosts-high 200 297
Table 14: Conversion Factors
Conversion-USindustryterminologytoAustralian Example
Costpersquarefootpermonth 200
Metricconversion 0.0929
Costpersquaremetrepermonth 19
Costpersquaremetreperannum 223
Exchangerate 0.75
Costperm2p.a.in$AU 297
VictorianCostComparisonsThismodelisdevelopedforthepurposesofdiscussingthecostoflocatinginaCBDbiotechnologyprecinctversusasuburbanbiotechnologyprecinct.Thecostsarehighlevel‘ruleofthumb’estimatesforthepurposesofdevelopingasimplecomparison.TheestimateswereprovidedbyMrMichaelWilkinson,CEOofWilkore.Themodelhasthreeelements,theland,theshellconstructionandthefitout.Thefitoutcaneitherbeofficefitoutorwetlabfitout.ThelocationcanbeeitherCBDorsuburbs(usingKnoxasareferencepoint).
Theauthorshavetakenthecoststothedeveloperplusestimatedprofitmargins(expressedasyield)tobeabletocalculatethefinalpricetocompanies.ForeaseofcomparisonwiththeUSmodeltheauthorshaveusedamodelwherebythefullyfittedoutspaceisofferedtocompanies.Ifthedeveloperfundsthefitouttheywillseekahighermarginbecauseofthebusinessriskoffundingspecialisedassetsforrelativelysmallandhighriskcompanies.
9 AppendiX 3. Costing ModeLs foR eXpAnsion spACe
76
Table 15: Estimates and Assumptions for Wet Lab Cost Comparison
Wetlab-Highrange City Suburbs
Developer’scostforland(perm2) 1,000 200
Developer’scostforwarehouseshell(perm2) 500 500
Developer’scostforwetlabfitout(perm2) 2,000 2,000
Yieldrequiredonland&warehouseshell 10% 10%
Yieldrequiredonwetlabfitout 25% 25%
Leasecosttotenant-Land&w/hcomponent(perm2p.a.) 150 70
Leasecosttotenant-Wetlabcomponent(perm2p.a.) 500 500
Subtotal(perm2p.a.) 650 570
Costofoutgoings(estimate) 20% 20%
Totalcostperm2perannum 780 684
Source:Basedondeveloper’sruleofthumbestimates
Table 16: Estimates and Assumptions for Office Cost Comparison
Office-HighRange City Suburbs
Developer’scostforland(perm2) 1,000 200
Developer’scostforofficeshell(perm2) 900 900
Developer’scostforofficefitout(perm2) 500 500
Yieldrequired 10% 10%
Subtotal(perm2p.a.) 240 160
Costofoutgoings(estimate)3 20% 20%
Totalcostperm2perannum 288 192
Source:Basedondeveloper’sruleofthumbestimates