Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Thursday, 21 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 January 2001. It was answered by Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke (Labour) on Thursday, 18 January 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, How many new spin-out companies have emerged from British biotechnology in the last year. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures.

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new spin-out companies have emerged from British biotechnology in the last year. [144563] Mrs. Liddell: It is estimated that at least 90 new biotechnology businesses were formed in the UK during 2000. This number includes both companies developing products (e.g. new drugs, diagnostics) and service companies (e.g. bioinformatics). Of these new companies over 40 per cent. received help from DTI support schemes specifically designed for the biotechnology sector. There is no national database containing information on biotechnology business formation and the above information was obtained from the regional biotechnology networks and Government support programmes.

Secondary information