advantageaustria.org - Home © AUSTRIAN TRADE
Flagge Land Gabon
en / de
 

Biotechnology in Austria

Test-tube in laboratory © AUSTRIAN TRADE

Biotechnology is among the key technologies of the 21st century. In Austria the existing networks of established pharmaceutical companies, dynamic young biotechnology firms, leading research institutes and universities, as well as important clusters, provide the ideal springboard for a successful future.

 

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the integrated application of natural sciences and engineering with the specific aim of using organisms and/or parts for the creation of products, or for their use in different processes. Biotechnology is divided in different branches according to the different fields of application, namely:

  • Red Biotechnology:
    Red biotechnology (medicine) is considered to be the most important field of application of biotechnology. Biotechnological processes play an increasingly important role in the development of new drugs (e.g. for the treatment of cancer). Biotechnology is also highly relevant for the purpose of diagnostics (DNA-chips, biological sensors). Additionally, more and more drugs are produced in biotechnological processes - for instance therapeutic proteins and antibodies. Red biotechnology is the most widely accepted in Austria and counts as a key technology and growth generator for numerous other industries.


  • Green Biotechnology:
    Green biotechnology includes the area of application of modern plant engineering. With the help of biotechnological methods, resistance is built up against insects, fungi, viruses, and herbicides. Genetic engineering is of special relevance in the field of green biotechnology. This is the basis for developing resistance by transferring certain genes to different plants.


  • Grey Biotechnology:
    Grey biotechnology is concerned with the field of environmental technology. Here, biotechnological processes aid in land reclamation, treatment of sewage, waste gas and emissions, as well as waste processing and recycling.


  • White Biotechnology:
    White biotechnology represents the field of application of biotechnology within the chemical industry. The aims of white biotechnology include the renewable and environmentally sustainable production of substances such as alcohol, vitamins, amino acids, antibiotics or enzymes.


  • Blue Biotechnology:
    Blue biotechnology has its focus on the technical application of processes and organisms in marine biology. It concentrates on the biological organisms of the oceans.


 Biotechnology is applied in the following industries:

  • chemical and pharmaceutical industry
  • nutrition and luxury foods industry
  • sewage, waste gas and waste processing industry
  • natural science and medical research
  • development, distribution and consulting with regard to biotechnological appliances and production units.


Competence from Austria

Biotechnology is considered to be one of the most promising economic branches in Austria. On a national level, the city of Vienna has the largest international potential and is significantly ahead of other Austrian cities. 80 % of all start-ups and 75 % of all established companies involved in the biotech industry are based in the capital of Austria.

Austrian biotech companies are particularly involved in the field of red biotechnology. They are international leaders in the development of vaccines and new pharmaceutical agents for life-threatening diseases. In general the biotech focus in Austria is primarily on the development of medically active agents. There are currently around 100 companies in Austria operating in the field of biotechnology, with a workforce of over 10,000 employees. 
 
Some of the most important clusters and branch networks are:


Some of the biggest biotech companies in Austria are - among others - Baxter, Amgen and Novartis.

The academic sector in Austria offers a broad spectrum of study programs in the field of biotechnology. Various 'new' Universities of Applied Sciences (Vienna, Wels and Krems) already offer courses focusing on biotechnology. Austria’s 'old' universities also have excellent study opportunities in the field of biotechnology, especially the universities of Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna and Graz. Since 2004 the Technical University in Graz (TU)has offered a new course which combines physics with biotechnology: Molecular Bioengineering.

Austria promises huge potential in the field of biotechnology. The business location of Vienna, with its exceptional infrastructure and proximity to the growing markets of Eastern Europe, provides the best possible conditions for biotech companies. The developments in the near future will give a direction to the biotech market in Austria and will show how well companies and research centres together can build on the existing potential of the biotech industry.  

Last Modified 29. April 2008
 
 
 
Austria Logo
© 2007 WKO AUSTRIAN TRADE