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Biotechnology has huge potential to improve our lives and wellbeing — from new treatments for devastating diseases and injuries,
to healthier and more nutritious foods; from better ways to manage natural resources, to new materials, fibres and fuels that
will help reduce our impact on the environment. Victoria, the south-east state of Australia, is determined to establish itself as a leader in biotechnology. It aims to drive
the transformation of its traditional manufacturing base into a forward-looking, knowledge-based bioeconomy that applies bioscience
discoveries and developments to solve global challenges in health, agriculture, industry and environmental sustainability.
Already it is on its way to achieving its goals.
Research excellence In 2006, Melbourne joined London and Boston as one of only three cities in the world with two universities (the University
of Melbourne and Monash University) in the global top 20 Times biomedical rankings.1 The excellence of the region's medical research institutes in the fields of cancer, immunology and infectious diseases is
recognized and respected around the world. For example:
- In 2007, the American Association for Cancer Research honoured Professor Don Metcalf from Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his ground-breaking discoveries in cancer research and treatment. Metcalf's
discoveries, including the colony stimulating factors (factors that enhance white blood cell formation to help fight infection
in cancer patients), have transformed patient cancer care worldwide and underpinned the performance of one of the world's
most successful biotech leaders — Amgen (USA).
- Immunology and infectious diseases continue to be a strength of Victoria's medical research community — from Sir Macfarlane
Burnet's Clonal Selection Theory, published in 1957, to the research of Professor Mark Smyth, who was awarded the 2007 Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Prize for
his contribution to cancer immune surveillance. Also, Professor Bill Charman from the Victorian College of Pharmacy (Melbourne)
won the WHO/Gates Foundation Medicines for Malaria Vaccine 2006 International Drug Discovery Project of the Year for his antimalarial
drug candidates that are effective at a single dose.
- International recognition of the state's strategic global position is also reflected by the selection of Melbourne as one
of only four World Health Organization (WHO) Flu Monitoring Centres (the others being Tokyo (Japan), London (UK) and Atlanta
(GA, USA)). The Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong is the world's most advanced high containment facility, and
is also an international reference centre for new and emerging diseases, including a WHO SARS collaborating centre. Melbourne
is also home to Australia's largest biotechnology company, CSL, which manufactures and exports influenza vaccine, and is one
of the top ten biotech companies by revenue.2
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With established strengths in medical research — and a juxtaposition of 15 world class research institutes, seven teaching
hospitals and nine universities in a concentrated area — Victoria is exceptionally well-placed to translate research discoveries
to other sectors of the economy. One example is the work conducted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Innovative Dairy
Products and Dr Paul Verma at the Monash Institute of Medical Research. They have developed new techniques for the efficient
isolation and maintenance of bovine embryonic stem cells, creating a bovine stem cell line for the first time. This adds to
stem cell lines available for the human, the mouse and the monkey, and significantly extends knowledge about cell development
and breeding. Also, Professor German Spangenberg, working with the Department of Primary Industries and the Cooperative Research
Centre for Molecular Plant Breeding, has developed a low-allergy, high-nutrition pasture grass for cattle. Cattle fed on the
grass gain weight faster and produce more milk. The reduced allergenicity will also be a welcome relief to people who suffer
from hayfever and asthma.
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