Plans to boost WA biotech industry

The state government intends to create biotechnology industry clusters and technology parks, as well as providing support for clinical trials and the development of biotherapeutics and agricultural biotechnology.

It's a case of 'better late than never' for the opposition, with biotechnology spokesman Barry House saying the government is five years behind other states.

The plan, unveiled today by Premier Alan Carpenter, advocates a code of conduct for the local biotechnology industry, programs to develop and maintain biotechnology skills in WA and a study into the economic potential of bio-prospecting.

"This strategy will provide the focus we need to create an environment that will allow the biotechnology industry to grow in WA," Mr Carpenter said.

"It will complement the commitments we have already made to the industry, especially in the provision of essential infrastructure."

The Premier said the strategy would build on the substantial investment of more than $82 million which had already taken place in medical and agricultural research in WA in recent times. This included:

• $50 million for two new biomedical and health research facilities at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and the planned Fiona Stanley Hospital;
• $4.5 million for a new Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine where biotechnology, agriculture and food technology scientists will develop new approaches to the prevention and treatment of major health issues, including diabetes and obesity;
• $21 million to the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, which will contribute to the understanding of WA's marine biodiversity;
• $4.6 million on biotechnology-related projects through the Centres of Excellence scheme;
• $1.2 million each year on biotechnology-related research and development in crop biotechnology and animal and pest diagnostics; and
• $850,000 each year to fund the roles of Nobel Laureates Barry Marshall and Robin Warren as roving ambassadors for biotechnology in WA.

Mr Carpenter said many of the new initiatives in the biotechnology strategy would be funded from an additional $72 million allocation to science and innovation in this year's State Budget. The business case for each initiative would be assessed and, where appropriate, funding would be allocated.

The Premier said the strategy supported the commercialisation of new WA biotechnology research.

"These well-known WA researchers should be recognised for their efforts in developing WA biotechnology companies to take their leading research to the world, supporting WA economic growth, jobs and prosperity," he said.

Opposition biotechnology spokesman Barry House says the Labor Government is at least five years late in developing a specific biotechnology strategy.

"We are national and international leaders in biotech fields, such as genomics with the Busselton Health Study and medical research, and our broad agricultural-base gives us a unique platform of leverage into the Ag-Biotech industry.

"It's just a shame that an industry with leaders such as this has to rely on a Government that has fallen so far behind."