Independent survey shows value of investment meetings

At AusBiotech 2011, research and consulting firm, Insync Surveys, conducted an independent and confidential review of the AusBiotech Life Science Investment Summit, which has been held annually since 2009. 50% of 42 companies responded and 31% of 97 investors who attended all three events (2009, 2010 and 2011) responded.

The objectives of the survey were to:

 Help participating companies and supporters to quantify the value of investor meetings
 Track the outcomes of specific investment events in commercial terms for investors
 Quantify the level of investment biotechnology brings to the economy for governments

Investors were asked to estimate the value of deals they expect from investment discussions they initiated at the 2011 Investment Summit, and the actual value of deals that were done as a result of the 2010 and 2009 events. The result shows that at the very least, $33 million has been generated for presenting companies. Data for the value expected to be generated from deals in discussion as a result of the 2011 event, suggests the Summit will generate even greater value than previous years.

The results of the survey revealed that significant value was generated and that the value has steadily increased since 2009, demonstrating the positive contribution the investment events are making to the Australian biotech industry.

Overview of independant survey results

The Most Powerful Investment Sector of the Twenty-First Century

Now is the time to invest in Australian biotechnology. AusBiotech believes that biotech has the potential to create unprecedented wealth for its investors, and that the market will soon be flooded with biotechnology products. Biotech pipelines are deep, and there is a large aging population with the need for new and effective drugs. And while the industry is experiencing an increasing swell in talent as well as impressive revenue growth, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approvals keep validating its momentum.

In it's 50 years, biotechnology has produced many historical milestones

 1953 introduction of the double helix
 1966 the genetic code was cracked
 1976 the first biotechnology company formed, Genentech
 1982 the first biotech drug approved by FDA; human Insulin
 1994 the fist breast cancer gene is discovered
 2001 the complete sequence of human genome was published
 2004 the FDA approved the first anti-angiogenic drug for cancer; Avastin

Cancer patients, in particular, are benefiting from recent biotechnology developments. A decade ago there were less than a dozen oncology drugs in clinical trials, most of which were highly toxic chemotherapies. Today there are over 400 targeted biotech medicines, including cancer drugs (with minimal side effects), being tested. With new drugs and treatments popping up everyday, the future surely holds many more cures for patients as well as opportunities for investors.

A Unique Time for Investors

Over the last ten years, developments in biotechnology have been significant and the future holds the potential for many cures and advancements in the medical world.

Biotechnology's impressive discoveries have made it a premier industry, it has

 Produced deep product pipelines
 Demonstrated impressive revenue growth
 Created life-saving drugs and treatments
 Drawn qualified talent to the industry
 Improved the regulatory environment
 Gained strategic alignments with big pharma companies and governments organizations

The trend of increased healthcare spending and technology advancements, the unmet medical needs for cures and treatments will continue to provide the biotech sector with growth and advancements, as well as lucrative investment opportunities.