Польша – 2010 – Биотехнологии

Польща – 2010 – Біотехнології (анг.)

Introduction

Despite being one of the fastest growing sectors in Poland, biotechnology is still an emerging sector. Polish biotechnology companies are currently working on developing highly innovative products. Nevertheless, it will take a few years to see the results of their work. Adding to that numerous research projects of Polish science institutes, we should expect further growth of Polish biotechnology in the nearest future. The sector will also be stimulated by foreign investments, which Poland attracts thanks to highly qualified pool of specialists, well-developed raw materials base, as well as competitive labour costs.

The continuous development of biosubstances and biofuels production technologies, which are to replace coal and crude oil, is definitely worth mentioning. Hormones, antibodies and diagnostic tests, all generated with the use of modern genetic engineering techniques, are becoming a specialty of Polish biotechnology industry. Biopharmacological products have also gained recognition, and this branch is currently the most rapidly expanding one within the biotechnology sector.

Manufacturing processes of human proteins and peptides based on E. coli and cell cultures are constantly improved. Undoubtedly, there is still a considerable scope for exploitation of the untapped potential in the section of vaccines, protein drugs and reagents.

The sector in numbers

The fundamental reason why Poland is one of the most attractive locations for international biotechnology operations is highly educated scientific staff. Biotechnology is one of the most popular fields of study in the country, with almost 26,000 students and 6,000 graduates a year from 38 universities (data provided by the Central Statistical Office, school year 2009/2010). They constitute a highly qualified research base, whose strength is already visible in ongoing undertakings of more than 30 diagnostic enterprises responsible for R&D, pharmaceutical products and food & cosmetics control.

Ranks

According to FDI Intelligence, Poland ranked 5th (in a tie with Russia) in the world ranking of foreign biotechnological investments in 2010, having attracted 14 such undertakings. It was a huge success since a year before, in 2009, Poland managed to attract only one investment from this sector. Countries with higher positions in the rank are: USA (38 investments), China (27), Great Britain (22) and India (16).

The country also performed well in another ranking conducted by the same organisation (11th position), prepared on the basis of location and access to research centres as well as opportunities for the development of biotechnology. Additionally, Warsaw was ranked 16th in the world and recognised as highly attractive for R&D centres’ investments, partly due to its competitive quality and costs ratio.

The rationale for the development of the biotechnology sector in Poland:

• High research potential
• Highly trained personnel
• Favourable government policy supporting investments in new technologies
• Well-developed raw materials base
• Development of biotechnology-related sectors
• Competitive labour costs
• Investment incentives for biotechnology projects

Джерело: PAIZ