We asked some biotech leaders earlier this year what they thought the future held for the industry.
And as we have been revisiting a number of predictions made to us in 2017 over the festive period – here’s a couple from the world of biotechnology.
Roger Kilburn, CEO, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), said: “By 2050, based on OECD estimates the earth will be 30% more populated and GDP will be more than doubled giving more purchasing power to more people. Conversely we will be using a lot less fossil fuels, electricity will be largely from renewable sources, buildings will be much more efficient at retaining heat (in the winter) and cool (in the summer), ground transportation (trains, buses, cars) will be primarily electric. Carbon based fuels and materials will still be required for aviation, chemicals and polymers however more of these products will be from sustainable sources using Industrial Biotechnology rather than traditional fossil fuels. By the end of the century, the use fossil fuels will be history.”
Andrew Casey, President and CEO, BIOTECanada, said: “By 2050, in a world with a population in excess of nine billion people – that’s going to create a lot of pressures on society, and our environment. It’s a social imperative that’s leading to a business opportunity. Canada’s leadership role in the development of key health, industrial, agricultural and environmental biotech innovations will have greatly improved the way we live, grow and manufacture. With great scientists, researchers and an impressive array of early stage biotech companies in all sectors, it will be incumbent for industry to lead the move from aspiration to implementation. If we get it right, a world under stress from population growth and environmental change awaits our solutions.”
