The compelling case for Biomade in Australia

Dr Iniga George, The Hon Julian Hill MP, J-L Heylen, Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen and Mary O’Malley

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology brought the case for sovereign biomanufacturing to Parliament House in Canberra last week for BioMade in Australia, a showcase of homegrown capability.

BioMade founder and director Rick Johnson flew from the US to address the 90-strong crowd of parliamentarians, advisors, departmental officials and startup founders.

Drawing on the American experience, Professor Johnson stressed the opportunities for Australia and the risks of inaction when 40 other countries already have a national strategy.

Centre Director Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen opened the event, highlighting the 40:1 return on government investment in a centre that has seen 12 startups emerge in six years with a combined valuation of more than $1 billion.

Listen to the audio recording:

Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen

Professor Johnson outlined why synthetic biology has become one of the top four US technology priorities, alongside AI, quantum computing and next-generation semiconductors. 

‘Why, all of a sudden, in the last five years, has this become such a top priority in the US?’ he asked. 

‘The first reason is clearly that it’s emerging as a general-purpose technology. The same platform technologies can be used for multiple applications.’ 

Synthetic biology, he said, had answers for pressing issues from defence to health. He cited bird flu as a case in point, pointing to the technology’s capacity to detect and diagnose, develop rapid vaccines, and conduct surveillance and track mutations. 

He took the audience through projections from McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group, pointing to a global market opportunity of up to $4 trillion by 2040. 

He also outlined why the US Department of War (formerly Defence) has invested more than $1 billion to help drive the creation of a civilian bioindustrial base, largely unrelated to military needs, “just because the defence community believes that the types of supply chains and issues at play are really defence issues.” 

Beyond geopolitics, the enormous investment in synthetic biology across the Asian region means economic competitiveness should be a compelling driver for Australia to act swiftly, he said. 

‘Let me quote from the conclusion to a report to the US Congress last year, which is bipartisan, by the way. “We stand at the edge of a new industrial revolution, one that depends on our ability to engineer biology.” 

‘Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing is transforming traditional industries. Big companies are having to pivot their business models. Procter and Gamble, a huge consumer goods company, is all in on synthetic biology now. Five years ago their eyes just glazed over when you talked about it.’ 

Synthetic biology, he stressed, is also a job creator, and not only for PhD researchers. High-salary roles as technicians and operators would be in demand, opening up significant opportunities for regional communities, particularly when combined with TAFE and VET pathways. 

‘There’s no reason why, with the sustained effort, Australia should not be a top seven player in the  next 10 years. And there’s no reason why Australia should not be the main biomanufacturing hub for the Indo-Pacific.  But obviously there are things to be done, and that’s why we’re here.’ 

Rick Johnson

Earlier in the day Professors Paulsen and Johnson met with Assistant Minister for International Education, the Hon Julian Hill, who also attended the event, as well as advisors to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles, and Minister for Industry and Innovation and Science, the Hon Tim Ayres. 

Professor Paulsen said he was delighted by the number of people who responded to the invitation and who see the benefits of sovereign biomanufacturing. 

‘I’d  love to co-develop a national strategy with the Government to make Australia competitive in this critical 21st century technology,’ he said.

‘Synbio is an essential tool for decarbonisation, circular economy, sovereign manufacturing and supply chain resistance.’

MPs such as the Hon Julian Hill, (far left) and Gabriel Ng along with political advisors from various offices joined researchers and representatives from the Australian Research Council, the NSW Chief Scientists and federal government departments.