Biotechnology - Genomic and Proteomics
Field definition
Simply defined, biotechnology is any technology that relies on living organisms or biological systems. By this definition, human beings have been using biotechnology for thousands of years to produce food products, textiles and other necessary items. Several familiar items -- including yeast-rising bread, yogurt, cheese, wine, beer and vinegar -- are all produced with the help of cultured microorganisms.
In recent years, however, the term "biotechnology" has come to mean the use of genetic engineering and its associated techniques. This more common definition is found in a variety of applications, from medicine to agriculture.
The US biotechnology industry includes about 1,000 companies, with combined annual revenue close to $50 billion. Large companies include Amgen, Monsanto, Genentech, and Biogen. The biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industries overlap considerably, since many drugs are now developed using biotechnology. The industry consists of a few very large companies and many very small ones, and is fragmented by type of product. Most companies have annual sales under $50 million.
Industry overview here: Biotechnology Industry Organization
Key Industry Statistics
Key Industry Figures 2008
Industry Revenue *85,695.4$Mil
Revenue Growth *12.9%
Industry Gross Product *58,539.2 $Mil
Number of Establishments *6,815 Units
Number of Enterprises *6,480 Units
Employment *341,000 Units
Exports *7,251$Mil
Imports *2,954.7$Mil
Total Wages *20,630.9$Mil
Source: Ibis World
Study of the field
Analysis of the field with basis on Field Research Methodology
- Economics of Intellectual Property in the Biotech- Genomics and Proteomics-(BGP) Field
- Overall Picture of the Biotech Field
- Outputs and Products of the field
- Legal tools available for and in use by the actors of BGP field
- Competitive advantages in Biotech
- Biggest BGP for-profit companies
- Biggest BGP non-profit companies
- Most important Universities focused on BGP
- Most important Association in Biotech
- Commons based cases in Biotech
- New/Open Business Models in Biotech
Special Cases in BGP
Under this section we will explore possible special case studies that will be later trasformed in papers under BGP Field Intellectual Property Profile.
- Sage - A Merck Project
- Authors: Carolina Rossini and John Wilbanks
- A brief history of license practices in BGP - the case of PCR
- Authors: Carolina Rossini and Brendan Ballou
Resources
Industry Profile
Bibliography on BGP Industry Profile
Links
Blogs and news from the BGP field
Interviews
Possible candidates for interviews: