Ireland: A National Commitment to Biotechnology

The general awareness that biotechnology has the potential to make a significant impact on Ireland's 'biological' economy is leading to a new phase for Irish biotechnology. The country's healthcare and agri-business industries are dependent on biologically based production and input, so are highly amenable to development through biotechnology. And, of course, the government has identified biotechnology as a priority area for future economic growth.

By next year, four out of every ten people in Ireland (current population 3.7 million) will be under 25 years of age, a much higher proportion than in any other European country, and hence an important labour statistic for companies. Over the past ten years, the number of students in tertiary education has increased by 80%, while the number in technical and technological institutions has more than doubled. The proportion of Irish people aged 25-34 with scientific qualifications is the highest in the OECD countries. Irish universitieshave a strong base in biological sciences and are a major source of expertise and technology for industry. The agency BioResearch Ireland, a partnership between the government and the universities, has been set up to commercialise opportunities arising from Irish biotechnology research. University-derived research has been the basis for successful biological industries world-wide and is a vital part of Ireland's developing biotechnology industry. BioResearch Ireland is also assisting in the establishment of a new early-stage venture-capital fund dedicated to biotechnology.

Ireland has a strong pharmaceutical sector, characterised by a mix of local companies and a strong multinational presence. The Industrial Development Agencyhas attracted nine of the world's top ten pharmaceutical companies to Ireland. More than 80 overseas companies employ 13,000 people and export US$18 billion annually, representing over 20% of the country's total exports and making Ireland one of the world's largest exporters of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals.

Over the past ten years, there has been a steady growth in the number of biotechnology companies operating in Ireland, including Schering-Plough, Elan Corporation and Fort Dodge Laboratories

The number of new biotech start-up enterprises accelerated in the late 1990s, and the planned comprehensive development measures should mean that this sector grows significantly. The Irish BioIndustries Associationwas established in 97 to prepare for a successful biotechnology based industry sector.

Over the past ten years, there has been a steady growth in the number of biotechnology companies operating in Ireland, including Schering-Plough, Elan Corporation, Fort Dodge Laboratories, Trinity Biotech Plc and Biotrin International. The number of new biotech start-up enterprises accelerated in the late 1990s, and the planned comprehensive development measures should mean that this sector grows significantly. The Irish BioIndustries Associationwas established in 97 to prepare for a successful biotechnology based industry sector.

The recently published National Development Plan2000-2006 recognise the link between investment in research and innovation and sustained economic growth. Noel Treacy, Ireland's minister for science and technology, recently said: “Ireland is now firmly of the view that R & D is a fundamental part of economic development and we will be investing 2.5 Billion Euros in research and technical development over the next 6 years. Biotechnology will be a priority for this investment, because of the expertise we already have, and the relevance of biotech to our industries.”

The national development plan outlines an agreed investment of 2.5 billion Euros in research, technological development and innovation over the next seven years, including 700 million Euros to the universities for capital investment in R&D capability and 710 million Euros for a 'Foresight' fund to invest in key technologies. It is anticipated that the Foresight fund will invest about 320 million Euros in biotechnology over the next seven years. The operational programmes constituting the national development plan will include a range of projects to support R&D infrastructures, investment, training, technology licensing and industry development. These initiatives will be implemented through various development agencies and industry groupings, including BioResearch Ireland, the Irish BioIndustries Association, Enterprise Irelandand the Irish Development Agency.