Biotechnology

BIOTECHNOLOGY refers to the use of biological processes and living organisms to manufacture medical, agricultural and consumer products. In BC it is a growing part of the HIGH TECHNOLOGY sector; the province is the third-largest centre in Canada in terms of the number of people involved. More than 90 companies are engaged in biotechnology in various areas of the ECONOMY, including HEALTH care, FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and AQUACULTURE, as well as environmental and waste management. The industry is very young; most BC companies have been founded since the mid-1980s. One of the pioneers in the health field is QLT INC, founded in 1981. In forestry, Silvagen Inc of VANCOUVER was the first commercial user of somatic embryogenesis (a tissue culture process for producing synthetic seed) and introduced genetically identical, high yield DOUGLAS FIR to the FOREST INDUSTRY. TerraGen Discovery Inc was founded by Dr Julian Davies, whose research with cloned plasmids helped elaborate how pathogens acquire and use resistance genes from other biota. Micrologix Biotech Inc in Vancouver, now Migenix Inc, manufactures cationic peptide variants. Embryo transfer techniques introduced by Lower Mainland DAIRY producers contribute to Canada's 30% share of global dairy genetics trade. In the medical field Dr Michael SMITH, Nobel Prize chemistry laureate, discovered oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis, making precise genetic mutations possible; Zymos, his firm, genetically modified yeast to produce human insulin. In aquaculture Biozyme Systems Inc in W VANCOUVER, which produced krill hydrolysates, adapted biotransformation techniques to FISH feed, and Vancouver's Syndel Laboratories Ltd manufactured induced-spawning products used worldwide. Along with these companies and many others, the role of the province's universities and publicly funded research facilities has been crucial in supporting the growth of the local biotechnology industry. By 2005 BC had become the 8th largest biotech centre in N America by number of companies, and the fastest growing in Canada. The industry association is BC Biotech, formed in 1991.