Our Services and Government Initiatives
Strong government support has created an excellent environment for research and development. The Western Australian Government is committed to growing a strong and sustainable biotechnology industry in Western Australia (WA).
The Department works to assist the biotechnology industry to commercialise innovative ideas and increase awareness of innovation and scientific endeavour in WA. This is achieved through facilitating access to capital, human resources, management expertise and research and development skills.
Western Australian Biotechnology Industry Development Strategy
Key strategic directions of the Western Australian Biotechnology Industry Development Strategy include:
- Building capacity - bringing together Western Australian expertise and infrastructure to build critical mass
- Building capability - strengthening and focussing Western Australia's capabilities in biotechnology innovation, commercialisation and research and development
- Going global - raising Western Australia's profile on the world biotechnology map
- Building understanding - identifying, assessing and raising awareness of biotechnology's costs and benefits
A copy of the strategy is available in the right hand pane.
Building Partnerships and Going Global
The Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR) is committed to raising the international and national profile of our State's biotechnology industry to promote Western Australia and its capabilities.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)
The Government of WA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with BayBio and the University of California.
University of California MOU
California's world-class research universities have placed the state at the forefront of the biotechnology revolution.
One in four U.S. biotech companies is located within 35 miles of a University of California (UC) campus. One in three California biotech firms (and one in six nationwide) was founded by UC scientists, and 85% of California biotech firms employ UC alumni with graduate degrees.
A connection to the University of California means a link into an extensive network for the WA biotech industry.
The “Memorandum of Understanding regarding Collaboration and Cooperation in Research and Technology between the University of California and the Government of Western Australia” was signed on behalf of the WA Government in November 2005 by Minister for State Development Hon Alan Carpenter and Dr Cathie Magowan from the University of California (UC).
Specifically, the MoU highlights collaboration in joint applications for research grants, and is also supported by the recent opening of a Western Australian Trade and Investment Office in Los Angeles.
BayBio MOU
BayBio (http://www.baybio.org/) is an industry association representing the biotechnology industries of the Bay Area in San Francisco. The Bay Area boasts the biggest concentration of biotech firms in the US, an active venture capital network, and some of the brightest research institutes in the world.
The “Memorandum of Understanding regarding Collaboration and Cooperation in biotechnology between BayBio and the Government of Western Australia” was signed on behalf of the WA Government in November 2005 by the then Minister for State Development Hon Alan Carpenter and Matthew Gardner, President of BayBio.
The MOU aims to facilitate interaction between officials, scientists and technologists of California and Western Australia, promoting cooperation and exchanges in research and policy development.
DoIR is always looking at new ways to broaden and strengthen these relationships. If you would like to take advantage of the linkages formed with the University of California or BayBio, please contact us.
