Small but tenacious: South Africa's health biotech sector
The McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health is pleased to announce the publication of the 4th article in its series on Health Biotechnology Sectors in Emerging Economies. ‘Small but tenacious: South Africa’s health biotech sector’ was published in the current (May 2009) edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology. It can be found online at http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n5/full/nbt0509-427.html.
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Abstract:
The most technologically-advanced country in Africa, South Africa also suffers from a large disease burden. The recent growth of a health biotechnology industry has therefore aimed to combat health problems whilst also capitalizing on the nation’s technological strengths. Based on face-to-face interviews, this paper explores how 16 South African health biotechnology companies are building capabilities in a challenging environment. Whilst the industry is still in its infancy, key lessons are emerging which will aid its successful growth, particularly in the areas of financing, regulation, skills development, and university-private sector interaction. The findings of this paper will be of interest to private companies seeking partners in the African region; global health foundations supporting product development in Africa; developing countries looking to grow their biotech sectors; the South African government, which has been strongly involved in the biotechnology effort; and anyone who wishes to get a flavour of innovation in Africa’s emerging market.
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The other three papers in this series are freely accessible through the links below:
India’s health biotech sector at a crossroads
Chinese health biotech and the billion-patient market
Brazilian health biotech—fostering crosstalk between public and private sectorsÂ
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Abstract:
The most technologically-advanced country in Africa, South Africa also suffers from a large disease burden. The recent growth of a health biotechnology industry has therefore aimed to combat health problems whilst also capitalizing on the nation’s technological strengths. Based on face-to-face interviews, this paper explores how 16 South African health biotechnology companies are building capabilities in a challenging environment. Whilst the industry is still in its infancy, key lessons are emerging which will aid its successful growth, particularly in the areas of financing, regulation, skills development, and university-private sector interaction. The findings of this paper will be of interest to private companies seeking partners in the African region; global health foundations supporting product development in Africa; developing countries looking to grow their biotech sectors; the South African government, which has been strongly involved in the biotechnology effort; and anyone who wishes to get a flavour of innovation in Africa’s emerging market.
Â
The other three papers in this series are freely accessible through the links below:
India’s health biotech sector at a crossroads
Chinese health biotech and the billion-patient market
Brazilian health biotech—fostering crosstalk between public and private sectorsÂ