UK industry challenged to make most of marine biotech

A report published today on marine biotechnology has concluded that there is huge potential for innovative exploitation in the UK.

However, the report noted that this sector, which uses marine organisms for the benefit of humanity, needs to develop a more co-ordinated approach in order to maximise the potential benefits.

The report, 'The Prospects for Marine Biotechnology Development in the UK', found that the $2.4 billion global industry was already successful in developing a wide range of applications including:

• extraction of anti-cancer and anti-viral compounds from marine organisms;
• use of coral-derived materials as bone replacements;
• development of bioluminescent sensors to detect environmental pollution and toxins.

The report was commissioned by the Foresight Marine Panel (FMP) Marine Biotechnology Group and co-funded by DTI and the South West Regional Development Agency.

It recommends that the emerging industry should make more integrated use of Research Council funded research, such as that funded under the Natural Environment Research Council's Marine and Freshwater Microbial Biodiversity Programme (M&FMB), and the new initiatives offered by Government to promote innovation.

An £80 million call for projects under the DTI's Technology Strategy announced in November identified bio-based industrial products as one of nine high priority technology areas.

Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Sainsbury, said: "This report brings to the fore the exciting opportunities offered by harnessing our increasing knowledge of marine biotechnology".

Chairman of the Marine Biotechnology Group of the Foresight Marine Panel, Professor Graham Shimmield, said that the report confirmed the huge potential for marine biotechnology in the UK building on activities of world-class centres of excellence around the UK.

"There is now an opportunity to harness the work of academics, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), pharmaceutical and other sectors to develop novel molecules and materials found in the marine environment for a wide range of applications," he said.

(SP)