Queensland Life Sciences Industry Report 2012 (PDF, 3.5MB)

Queensland Life Sciences Industry Report 2012
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Figure 28: Major risk or challenge facing QLS organisations (111 respondents)
Access to sufficient capital for growth or market entry
was the highest risk or challenge for companies (94
respondents). Research organisations (17 respondents)
nominated access to R&D funding as their highest risk or
challenge (Figure 28).
9.3 Feedback on Government Engagement with
the Industry
Participants in the survey provided feedback on initiatives
of the Queensland Government and made suggestions
on areas for Government intervention to support industry
growth into the future.
Approximately 42% of companies (69) and 70% of
research organisations (10) were positive about the
level of engagement between the Queensland Government,
typically DSITIA (referred to by its previous name ‘DEEDI’,
by respondents) and the industry. 35% of companies
and 20% of research organisations offered some critical
comment. The remainder were neutral.
A selection of comments that captured the essence of
participant responses are provided below.
Comments (Direct quotes — some quotes may have been
truncated/edited for clarity):
Very much so — they do a great job with limited resources/
guidelines/capacities.
It is my impression that over the past three years the
department is less interested in supporting biotechnology
developments.
Yes, but DEEDI could do more to engage with industry. A lot
of resources have been directed to universities and research
institutes. SMEs have struggled and many have closed.
Generally very pleased that DEEDI is interested and
providing some tangible support to this industry sector.
In the future [we would] suggest less money spent on
research and more money spent on genuine development.
The DEEDI and DERM [Queensland Department of
Environment and Resource Management] direct support
is critical to our future to continue to deliver the community
and industry benefits of R&D.
More can be done to provide skilled staff and programs
to encourage engagement of industry with higher education
in healthcare sector. The healthcare industry base in
Queensland is mainly complementary medicines and devices
not drugs or biotech. These industries employ many more
staff. Programs to encourage the development of SMEs in
the space have generally failed, but programs to support
larger players to employ more people seem
to be lacking.
Funding for research is limited, commercialisation
mentoring is limited.
Yes, we would always be happy for the Department and
government to provide more direct support however I think
both should be proud of their support and encouragement
of the industry.
Yes, with the level of industry involvement; No, with the level
of involvement with individual companies.
No. DEEDI could be more proactive in building links with
new businesses rather than simply posting programs onto
websites and expecting that new business owners will have
the time, inclination and technical ability to access the
information.
Yes, the Department’s Smart Futures Funding and other
schemes such as NIRAP have been vital in providing
Fellowships for early and mid-career researchers,
developing industry alliances and funding NCRIS facilities
and their support staff.