GUEST EDITORIAL
	Biotechnology in Australia - Part of the Knowledge-Based Economy Melissa Little
	FEATURES
	Australia's Biotechnology Industry: An Overview Lyndal Thorburn
	Selling Biotech to Government as Wealth Creation: Has This Been Successful or Wise? Peter J. Wills
	The Growth of the Australian Biotechnology Industry and the Issue of Skilled Capacity Peter W. Riddles
	Marine Natural Products Discovery in Australia: From Reef to Royalty, and the Pursuit of Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) Compliance. Elizabeth A. Evans-Illidge and Christopher N. Battershill
	The Australian Stem Cell Center: Australia's Experiment in a Biotechnology Center of Excellence Melissa Little and Miranda Free
	RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: Health and Medical Biotechnology
	Unique Barriers to Translation of Biomedical Research in Australia Joshua Funder
	Biodiscovery for Natural Product Pharmaceuticals: An Australian Experience David Camp and Ronald J. Quinn
	Vaccination to Prevent Cervical Cancer: A Dream Turned Reality, With a Twist in the Tail Ian H. Frazer
	AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH
	Intellectual Property and Agricultural Biotechnology in Australia Stephen Hubicki and Brad Sherman
	Biotechnology and Beef Production Jay Hetzel
	Genetics Meets Genomics: Uniting Scientific Disciplines for the Benefit of the Australian Sheep Industry T. Fischer, G. Harper, T. Longhurst and R. Forage
	Cottoning on to GM Crops in Australia Greg Constable and TJV Higgins
	ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECH AND INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH
	Australian Environmental Biotechnology - How It Fits in the International Scene David Garman
	The Role of Biotechnology in Water and Wastewater Management P. F. Greenfield, J. Keller and G.Q. Max Lu
	BIOTECH CAMEOS: COMPANY CASE STUDIES
	Cameo Case Study: CSL Ltd Australia Rachel David
	Cameo Case Study: Phylogica Paul M. Watt
	Cameo Case Study: Florigene Stephen F. Chandler and John G. Mason
	Cameo Case Study: Cotton Seed Distributors Adam Kay
	AUSTRALIAN STATE SUMMARIES
	Victoria: Aiming for Top Five Status in Biotech The Hon. John Brumby
	Queensland - The Climate's Great for Biotechnology and Growth The Office of Biotechnology
	Biotechnology in Western Australia - Key Capabilities Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources

Abstract: No Abstract 3 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: The Australian biotech industry comprises over 400 biotech companies, many of which are spinoffs from research institutions and are developing new therapeutics for global markets. However, companies are small and find fund raising difficult, being heavily reliant on venture capital, government grants and listing on the Australian Stock Exchange to raise funds. Issues faced by the industry include lack of scale, access to finance, and reliance on publicly funded R&D institutions for technical developments. Both Federal and State governments support the industry through R&D grant programs, infrastructure investment, market access programs and skills development. It is expected that the medical and health biotechnology companies will continue their move towards commercial launches of new products including those using stem cells. In agriculture, the focus is on marker-assisted breeding and treatments for livestock diseases. In industrial areas the main focus has been on food manufacturing but there is emerging interest in biopharming as well as successful products in bioremediation. Examples of successful commercialisation are provided. 6 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: The Australian Government's reviews into health and medical research have identified the significant social and economic returns that can be achieved from investment into this rapidly growing sector. The reliance on government funding for basic research is likely to continue. Investment in health and medical research as wealth creation will be measured by Australia's success within the emerging health biotechnology sector and the increase in investment of private capital. 5 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: Australia is home to a nascent biotechnology industry comprising some 420 core biotechnology companies, which (on a prorated basis) is comparable in size to those elsewhere in the world. After an initial small wave of company formation in the 1980s, the industry's fortunes were revived in the late1990s when there was rapid growth in the number of companies and products under development; along with the investment capital and skills base to enable company growth. Many of the companies, along with the founders and skilled individuals generally, emerged out of the public sector research base. Ongoing attraction of relevant skills into the biotechnology (and broader industry base) continues to be a priority for all levels of government in Australia and for relevant industry organizations. The industry is now of sufficient scale and critical mass to attract increasingly its skills from other industry sectors, the international expatriate community and elsewhere. 6 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: The ancient concept of biodiversity based medicine and other useful products, is alive and well in the 21st century. However, the pathway to harnessing the potential for modern biodiscovery especially from the sea has not been clear. An international convention, legal uncertainty, and global trends towards more technology driven approaches have all undermined investor confidence in nature as a source of innovation. This article will discuss the marine biodiscovery opportunity, particularly in mega-biodiverse countries such as Australia. It will also explore some of the associated policy and legislative issues impeding its realisation, and recent progress that has brought it within reach. 5 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: No Abstract 8 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: Australia has first class biomedical research and clinical healthcare giving rise to a growing biotechnology industry. Lack of experienced managers with translational skills and distance from international product markets present specific barriers in the translation of Australian biotechnology into commercial success. By many metrics, especially later stage metrics such as clinical trials, Australia is struggling to compete in translating early stage technologies into products.1 Individual companies must recognise and work around these barriers to compete in the international human health market. Over time the Australian biotech industry must overcome some of these challenges and learn to live with others. 3 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: Pharmaceuticals or derivatives from natural products, i.e. small molecules obtained from the Earth's biosphere, account for a significant proportion of global drug sales. Since the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), however, researchers can no longer simply apply to access organisms or genetic material without also entering into a mutually agreed benefit sharing agreement with the country of origin. The CBD may have stymied research in some countries while legislation for access and benefit agreements are being developed. In Australia, the Natural Product Discovery collaboration between Griffith University and the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca has pursued a biodiscovery program since 1993 under the auspices of the CBD. In addition to providing novel chemical leads and insights to many of the company's biological targets, the collaboration has also enabled systematic mapping of Australian flora and fauna via its collection program and taxonomic identification of new species. This article highlights the progress being made in this area and the specific obstacles to this approach from an Australian perspective. 5 pages

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Abstract: Cervical cancer is a rare consequence of persisting infection of the neck of the womb with one of a family of viruses called high risk human papillomaviruses. This disease, commonest in resource poor settings, kills over 250,000 women worldwide every year. Vaccines to prevent infection with the responsible viruses have become available over the last year, as a result of a major international research effort over the last 25 years. The challenge now facing the global community is to define a mechanism for effective deployment of an expensive technology in the developing world to achieve a health outcome that will become obvious only 25-50 years after the expenditure necessary to achieve it. 4 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: This article briefly examines the key forms of intellectual property protection for agricultural biotechnology in Australia. It then discusses some of the unresolved legal issues affecting the agricultural biotechnology sector in Australia, including the proliferation of overlapping intellectual property rights, the existence and scope of the experimental use defence to patent infringement, and regulatory issues such as the continuance of moratoria on the commercial cultivation of genetically-modified crops in the majority of Australian States and Territories, and regimes regulating access to genetic resources. In concludes by discussing future prospects for, and impediments to, the development of agricultural biotechnology in Australia. 4 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: Australia is the world's second largest beef trader and the industry has positioned itself to meet the growing demand for high quality beef products. The beef industry has invested in biotechnology R&D in a cooperative approach with research organizations and the government and there is a now a strong science base. Initial successful commercialisation of biotechnology products has been achieved in DNA marker assisted breeding and management and in feedlot vaccines and continuing investment will build on the success. 3 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Abstract: Selection of sheep for desirable food and fiber attributes, namely meat, milk and wool, has been practiced the world over for thousands of years. Since the introduction of Merino sheep to Australia over 200 years ago, the sheep industry has grown tremendously, yielding substantial export revenue in particular for the high quality wool and sheep meat produced. A modern sheep breeding operation is driven today by technology largely developed in the last few decades, involving electronic identification, precision management, extensive trait measurement, sophisticated selection software and more recently DNA technology to determine pedigree and better inform performance measures. Technologies will continue to develop and will be used to drive productivity improvements but widespread adoption is required if farmers are to remain viable into the future. This article addresses the impact of the genomics revolution on sheep selection and breeding decisions. In addition, it discusses new technologies for integrating genomic and genetic information and needs for integrating education and skillful use of these new technologies. 4 pages

©2008 by The Journal of BioLaw & Business. All Rights Reserved.

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Cottoning on to GM Crops in Australia

Greg Constable and TJV Higgins