Bioscience

South Australia is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for bioscience and recognised for its scientific and medical research and development capabilities.

The State is home to internationally recognised hospitals and research institutes and a dedicated commercial biomedical precinct with manufacturing capabilities. About 100 companies operate in the sector, employing more than 1,700 people.

Adelaide, the capital city, is one of Australia’s least costly places to set-up and do business, and has been rated by KPMG as the most cost-competitive city in Australia for bioscience research, clinical trials and product testing.

South Australia has a proven track record for commercialising university research and development and creating spin-off companies, and especially for applying science and technology to medicine and agriculture.

Bionomics Ltd, Novozymes GroPep Ltd and Hospira Adelaide are just three of the leading biomedical companies that have chosen to establish in Adelaide. South Australia is also headquarters for major companies such as Protherics Australasia and Numico Research Australia.

Others in the sector include Mayne Pharma, Hamilton Laboratories, Geneworks Pty Ltd, Micronix Pty Ltd and fast-growing start-ups such as Nidor Pty Ltd and vivoPharm Pty Ltd.

For emerging bioscience companies, South Australia offers access to the $35 million South Australian Life Sciences Venture Capital fund. 

South Australia’s bioscience industry is concentrated in five innovation precincts in the Adelaide area.

A biosciences business incubator at the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct, only 15 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, is home to one of the largest clusters of commercial bioscience companies in Australia. It provides start-up biotechnology companies with laboratory and office space and business development services.

Key links
AusBiotech
Bio Innovation SA