www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

The biotechnology sector is booming across the globe, with revenues of the
worlds publicly traded biotech companies growing by 18 per cent in 2005, May
2006.

And while the US sector is maturing, new opportunities are rapidly
emerging across Asia-Pacific and elsewhere. In fact, revenues reached an
all-time high last year of $63.1 billion, according to Ernst & Young.

The accountancy firm says that the European biotechnology sector has emerged
from a lengthy restructuring period with double-digit revenue growth and the
second-strongest financing year on record, with 3.2 billion in capital
raised. The pipelines of Europes publicly traded biotech companies increased
by 28 per cent, with strong growth in late-stage development.

This comes just as the World Trade Organisation confirmed a ruling against
the EU in a case brought by the US and other nations against a de facto
moratorium on genetically modified products.

Despite continued consumer reluctance to embrace the technology therefore,
Europe is therefore moving ahead with GM technology. The EC recently adopted
an overview of the state of implementation of national co-existence
measures.

Simon Barber, director of the plant biotechnology unit at EuropaBio - the
European association for bioindustries, said that co-existence of GM and
non-GM crops is already a reality in countries such as Spain.

In Asia-Pacific meanwhile, performance of the biotechnology sector outpaces
the rest of the world, with a scorching 46 per cent increase in revenues and
significant progress toward profitability. Government emphasis on biotech as
a strategic priority and a focus on strategic niches is helping countries
competitiveness.

Indeed, foreign companies are increasingly drawn to the region with growing
drug markets, economic liberalisation, and stronger intellectual property
protections.

And for the third consecutive year, the US biotechnology sector is
delivering strong product approvals 32 new product approvals, including 17
first-time approvals and solid financial results.

The US industry continues to approach aggregate profitability, and Canada is
showing robust growth.

Ernst & Young has been tracking the progress of biotechnology for two
decades. Beyond Borders: Global Biotechnology Report 2006 from the group's
Global Biotechnology Centre marks the 20th anniversary of the company's
annual report providing data, in-depth analysis, market insights, and key
trends for the biotechnology sector, and provides a special timeline
charting the industrys long-term evolution.

[www.foodnavigator.com]

------------------------------------------
Posted to Phorum via PhorumMail