A council bio-tech delegation to the United States has delivered its report eight months after attending a series of industry meetings.
The BioGeelong Network delegation was aimed at improving prospects of developing the biotech industry in Geelong.
BioGeelong chair, Cr Bruce Harwood, and representatives from Deakin University, CSIRO and Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) attended meetings in Manhattan, Kansas and Atlanta in November.
A report to this week’s council meeting said the bio-tech industry locally offered “significant” employment opportunities.
“Atlanta is a world-renowned region in bio science and presents investment opportunities for Geelong and the chance to learn from Atlanta’s start-up success to further develop the industry locally,” Cr Harwood reported.
“Developing the biotech industry also offers significant employment opportunities for Geelong, hence the building of the relationships with the University of Georgia, Atlanta, is seen as a critical step in this direction.
“Geelong is well-placed to attract start-up businesses involved in the commercialisation of medical products, which could offer significant employment opportunities in our region.”
Cr Harwood said further research into a One Health concept of the connection of health of animals in the wild crossing over to domestic animals and ultimately to humans could result.
Geelong was also recognised as a world-renowned bio science centre, with facilities such as high security Australian Animal Health Laboratory, CSIRO and the development of a Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, he said.
Council established the BioGeelong network in 2005 to develop Geelong into Australia’s biotech epicentre.
