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Bioscience and Healthcare Technologies

Spending on pharmaceuticals already represents 1.2 per cent of UK GDP and even more - 2.6 per cent - of that of the US. Moreover these figures seem set to continue to increase for the foreseeable future. Current pharmaceutical market growth is, in fact, estimated at 8 per cent per annum worldwide, though cost-containment measures may constrain any further rapid growth.

Meanwhile the UK biotechnology sector has already established itself as the largest in Europe with an estimated 455 dedicated biotechnology businesses in the country employing around 23,000 people. This international standing is reflected in the fact that UK biotechnology companies currently account for 53 per cent of products in clinical development or awaiting approval in Europe. The whole sector generated some £3.6bn in revenue in 2003 and the UK market is forecast to reach £4.9bn in 2005.

In addition UK companies are a major provider of medical devices in the worldwide market. UK output in the sector is currently £3.2bn, which represents approximately 3 per cent of global consumption and 10.5 per cent of the European market. As with pharmaceuticals and biotechnology in general the sector is characterised by rapid expansion. The worldwide market for medical devices is now approaching £115bn and is growing steadily at 7 per cent per annum.

Industrial applications of plant and microbial science are already making a major contribution to industrial sustainability, in providing alternative, renewable industrial feedstocks and replacing chemical processes with more efficient, economic and sustainable enzyme-based processes, for example in the production of high value chemicals such as 1,3-propanediol and vitamin B2. This role will expand as the demand for more sustainable processes rises.

Activity to date

Knowledge Transfer Networks:
bioProcess UK, Healthcare Technologies, Bioscience for Business

Competitions in Collaborative R&D
 
April 2004
 		 Stem Cell Technology (£5m)
 
November 2004

 		 Bio-based Products and Processes (£4m)
 
April 2005
 		 Biopharma Bioprocessing (£8m)
 
Autumn 2005

 		 Regenerative Medicine Technologies (£10m)
 

Successful Collaborative R&D Projects:

April 2004 - Stem Cell Technology

November 2004 - Bio-based Products and Processes