Colin La Galia, Epichem CEO, explains why Australia is one of international science’s ‘best kept secrets’.
In an uncertain domestic environment, many drug discovery companies are looking to find safe, reliable locations to continue their important work in chemical and pharmaceutical development.
There are several compelling reasons companies should consider Australia as the best location for their next chemical development partnership.
In many ways, it’s one of international science’s best kept secrets – many companies we talk to hadn’t even considered Australian companies as international partners, before the appeal of operating here becomes apparent.
But we’ve got outstanding talent, a thriving industry and a terrific legal and scientific culture – it’s time the secret gets out!
Here are five major reasons international companies should consider Australian companies as their research partners:
- Australian companies are open for business.
With coronavirus cases suppressed across the country, most Australian states are fully operational with business as close to normal as possible, placing them far ahead of the majority of countries in the world.
In the State of Western Australia in particular, there has been six months of zero community transmission. That means no barriers to the operation of your project and an effective and efficient delivery of service.
- Australia has some of the best talent in the world.
Australia has a strong and growing number of PhD-qualified personnel in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Nearly half of Australian PhD holders are employed in the private and public sectors and the medical and pharmaceutical industry is ranked in the top 4 employers of graduates.
- The Australian legal system has excellent IP protection protocols, designed to foster international collaboration.
Protection of intellectual property is one of the most significant challenges facing any chemical or pharmaceutical developer.
Intellectual property law in Australia is business-friendly, ‘designed to encourage innovation and protect businesses that develop original IP’, according to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s website.
- Australians have a collaborative culture of teamwork and partnership.
By any international standard, Australia has had a professional culture of collaboration and friendship throughout its history, particularly within the scientific community. Stable policy-making and a high degree of harmony between States makes establishing entities and conducting business far easier than in countries like the USA.
Our international partners continually comment on the friendly, professional nature of working with Australians..
- We work while you’re asleep
One of the unexpected benefits for many international partners is the time difference, which may seem like a hurdle at first but is soon revealed to be anything but, as work on projects continues throughout the night.
For these reasons and others, if you’re looking for an effective partner on a chemical research and development project, it might be time to head down under.
Image credit: Photoholgic
