Brazil, Portugal and Czech Republic Among Growing Bio-Innovation Players

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today issued the annual Worldview Bio-Innovation Scorecard produced by Scientific American to attendees of the Worldview 2011: Scientific American’s Regional Bio-Innovation Scorecard Super Session. The panel session is part of the 2011 BIO International Convention, taking place this week in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“It’s clear that that magical mix of innovation-enabling factors is dynamic and not limited to fully developed biotechnology-rich nations”

The Worldview Bio-Innovation Scorecard illustrates various nations’ strengths in such categories as work force availability, education and intellectual property protection, and what countries still need to improve their capacity for creating biotech innovation locally. In addition, this year’s report highlights the biotechnology advancements of the BRIC Nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and profiles three “game changers” from Brazil, India and China who, in the face of incredible odds, advanced their county’s life science sector.

“It’s fascinating to see the countries that have challenging environments in terms of innovation capacity, show consistent growth within our index,” said Jeremy Abbate, Publishing Director of Scientific American Worldview. “Some of the most notable gains come from Portugal and Spain. They have consistently climbed in their overall innovation score since we began this special report in 2009.”

“In the case of Portugal, education and workforce scores increased by nearly 40 percent since 2009,” Abbate added. He further highlighted other examples such as Brazil, which has seen tremendous growth in its talent retention measurement, and Mexico and the Czech Republic, two countries that have seen a consistent rise of their overall innovation score since the report’s inaugural edition.

“Countries around the globe continue to invest in biotechnology programs in hopes of driving their economic growth and increasing their competitiveness,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. “We are honored to once again partner with Scientific American on its report that aims to provide a framework to measure the progress and potential of countries—especially those that are not currently regarded as world leaders – as they develop and nurture biotech sectors.”

“It’s clear that that magical mix of innovation-enabling factors is dynamic and not limited to fully developed biotechnology-rich nations,” Abbate said.

Moderated by Fareed Zakaria, author, journalist and host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, the session was the marquee discussion forum among industry leaders on the state of biotech hubs and innovation around the globe. Panelists included George Baeder, partner and vice president, Monitor Group Asia; Anula Jayasuriya, co-founder, Evolvence India Life Science Fund; Jay Siegel, chief biotechnology officer, head, global regulatory affairs, Johnson & Johnson; and Dato’ Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, CEO, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp).

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, offering networking and partnering opportunities with policymakers, scientists, CEOs and newsmakers, and hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum, a unique platform for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and investors from around the world to gather and discuss strategic opportunities. For registration, conference agenda and exhibitor information, visit 2011 BIO International Convention.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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