Biotechnology sector income continues to rise

Biotechnology is edging ever closer to become a $1 billion New Zealand industry.

Statistics New Zealand reported today income from biotechnology for the financial year was $811 million compared to $675 million in 2004.

The private sector contributed $515 million, the public sector $160 million, and the higher education sector the remaining $135 million.

The number of people employed in the biotechnology sector increased by 160, to around 2400 in total.

The increase was due to greater employment of those with technical and trade qualifications although this was offset by a decrease in employment of PhD-qualified staff in New Zealand, Government Statistician Brian Pink said.

Of the biotechnology techniques used by New Zealand organisations in 2005, 66 per cent were being used at the research and development (R&D) stage.

The most common biotechnology technique being used in the R&D development stage was DNA sequencing/synthesis/amplification, and the most common technique overall was fermentation and bioprocessing.

In the two years to June 2005, 190 biotechnology-related patents were granted to New Zealand organisations.

- NZPA