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The 2013 South African Bioeconomy Strategy

The 2013 South African Bioeconomy Strategy. Jennifer A Thomson Dept Molecular and Cell Biology University of Cape Town South Africa. National Biotechnology Strategy 2001. Biotechnology Innovation Centres (BICs) National Biotechnology Advisory Committee

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The 2013 South African Bioeconomy Strategy

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  1. The 2013 South African Bioeconomy Strategy Jennifer A Thomson Dept Molecular and Cell Biology University of Cape Town South Africa

  2. National Biotechnology Strategy 2001 • Biotechnology Innovation Centres (BICs) • National Biotechnology Advisory Committee • Govt articulate single policy position on biotech • Took 10 people 2 weeks (with many interviews) • Approved (with payment via President) BUT single policy never occurred

  3. Biotechnology (Regional) Innovation Centres • LIFElab (KZN) amino acids, bioprocessing • BioPAD (JHB)  animal vaccines, diagnostics, health • Cape Biotech  health care, algal tech • PlantBio  plant biotechnology

  4. Biotechnology Advisory Committee • GMO Act – time frames (still on table) • Consumer Protection Act - labelling • Biotech company failures – revisiting • Many problems due to >> DST (Agric., Environ., T and I) – no buy in • Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) – warned of impending disaster  2008 dissolved BICs  investigation

  5. Bioeconomy Strategy 2013 • Committee(s)  5 years • Bioeconomy > Biotechnology • Activities using bio-innovations  sustainable economic, social, environmental development • “DST as lead agent to work with other depts. Will drive consultative process”

  6. Innovation Pipeline (non-linear) • Concept/idea – National Research Foundation (NRF) • Research – NRF • Development - ?? GAP! Many small companies fold here • Productisation – TIA • Manufacturing – TIA • Commercialisation – TIA

  7. Highlights of the Strategy • Venture Capital fund – public/private facilitated by DST – use govt funds to attract private capital • Alignment of regulations and legislation • Communication and marketing • Agriculture, health and industry /environment sectors

  8. Agriculture • “Responsible genetic engineering remains a critical technology.. and presents a significant competitive opportunity..” • Of three sectors this has “highest economic impact.” • “Expanded R&D essential..” • Animal vaccines highlighted • Development of ‘energy crops’

  9. Health • Vaccines esp. TB and HIV – all imported • Diagnostics esp. TB and HIV • Medical devices – 80-90% imported • Biodiscovery • Indigenous knowledge

  10. Industry and Environment • Enzyme manufacturing (all imported) • Biofuels • Wastewater treatment • Bioprospecting (biodiscovery) – SA 3rd most biologically diverse country

  11. Legislation needing change • Consumer Protection Act – labelling “may contain genetically modified ingredients” • GMO Act – time frames not complied with (eg. appeals 180 d max  > 2 yrs) • Biodiversity Act – who are the ‘knowledge holders’? • TIA Act – equity holder, M&E, implementation (skills, relationships..) • Labour Act – millstones eg. employment and firing, company registrations…

  12. Implementation • Driven by DST • July high-level meeting with private sector, other govtdepts, research institutions… • Legislation problems  meetings with DGs various depts. • NBAC + Minister 16 August • Report back ICABR 2014 (Nairobi??)

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