Transcript Gene technology

UDs Topplederkonferanse 2007
Bioteknologi:
Verdensbildet og Norges plass i dette,
inkl. lovverk og etikk
Avdelingsdirektør Christina Abildgaard, Ph.D
DNA – the key of life
Universal: DNA
building blocks
A–C–G–T
Perspectives of biotechnology
 OECD definition of biotechnology:
The application of Science & Technology to
living organisms as well as parts, products and
models thereof,
to alter living or non-living materials for the
production of knowledge, goods and services
 Gene technology
 Analytical methology:
 Identification, characterization
 Modification & production:
 Modification of genes
 Transferring genes across species
Trends in Modern Biotechnology
 2873 genom projects registered
 634 genomes sequenced
 Approx. 2100 ongoing:
cow – pig – sheep – soybean – cotton – salmon?
 Great expectations to functional genomics
 Controversial:
Ethical issues, risk assessments
 Focus on regulations and
harmonization
Gene technology:
A part of our daily life
Growth in global biotechnology
2005 – 2006
2006
2005
Change
Public company data
Revenues ($m)
73,478
64,213
14 %
R&D expense ($m)
27,782
20,934
33 %
190,500
146,010
30 %
710
673
5%
4,275
4,263
1%
Number of employees
Number of companies
Public companies
Public & Private companies
Norwegian life science companies – (2005)
a young sector has been limited by access to risk capital
 Capital intensive and susceptible to international financial trends
 110 companies
 Approx 50 % biomedical companies
 Approx 50 % established since 1999
 ~ 5000 people
 >70 % have less than 20 employees
Annual growth average 2003 – 2005
Total R&D (%)
Higher Education
Sector
Institute Sector
6,4
0,4
R&D Expenses biotechnology:
 in 2003:
831 mill NOK
 in 2005: 1 180 mill NOK
 Nominal growth; 40 % from 2003 – 2005
Biotechnology (%)
18
6,2
R&D expenditure to biotechnology 2005
Field/Area
Human medicine and biopharmacy
mill. NOK
%
442
38
Veterinary biomedicine and biopharmacy
40
3
Agriculture biotechnology
63
5
160
17
83
7
Marine biotechnology
Food production biotechnology
Environment/ecology surveillance biotech.
Basic biology
Bioinformatics
Ethics
Other topics
Not distributed
Total
Of this: gene technology
Source: NIFU STEP/SSB, Skriftserie 7/2005
26
2
248
21
71
6
4
0
39
3
4
0
1180
100
50
Regulatory challenges and
public trust
Legislation:
 Gene technology (1993)
 Production and application of GMO
 Biotechnology (1987, 2003, 2007)
 Application of biotech in human medicine
 Bio banks (2003)
 The Norwegian Biotechnology
Advisory board
 National Committees for Research
Ethics in Norway
Ethical dilemmas
Research

Improved diagnostics and therapy

Fertilize eggs for research?

Moral status of embryo?
Selection of traits

PGD – Preimplantation Genetic
Diagnosis

Avoid serious illness

What is serious illness?

Save lives

Human beings only as means for
others?
 Nobody owns the truth!
The Research Council of Norway –
a strategic governmental agency
 Advise the government
on research policy issues
 Finance and stimulate
public and private R&D
 Create arenas for cooperation
and knowledge distribution
There is only one research council in Norway
How to deal with the trends and challenges?
 Specific Topics
Genomics; medicine, marine, basic research
ethical issues, environment-genes-health,
biobanks, cancer, stemcells, bioprospecting,
 Basic and applied research
 Quality a prerequisite
 Network and co-operation –
national and international
 Combination of disciplines
Different
financial
instruments
Biotechnology in Norway
Conclusions
 Considerable R&D expenditure
40% increase 2003-2005 in Institute and Higher education
sector
 Positive industrial development
Norway: 7th in Europe – 17 products in pipeline
 Public expectation to biotechnology increased
Medical application: positive
Production of food: negative
Relevant web-sites and contact persons
www.norbiobase.no Ole Jørgen Marvik
www.invanor.no Ole Jørgen Marvik
www.biotekforum.no Thor Amlie
www.bion.no Sissel Rogne
www.rcn.no
Steinar Bergseth (FUGE)
Øystein Rønning (Innovation)
Hilde Jerkø (Science)
Christina Abildgaard (Strategic priorities)
Thank You!