CZECH REPUBLIC

 

Basic Facts about the Czech Republic

Capital

Prague

Population

10,2 million

Labor force

5,2 million

GDP (ppp) per capita (2006)

USD 22 500

GDP growth (2006)

5.9 %

Annual inflation (2006)

2.5 %

Unemployment rate (2006)

8.13 %

Average monthly wage (2006)

USD 898

  Source: Czech Ministry of Finance, January 2007

The biotech sector in the Czech Republic boasts a very long and rich tradition, having given the world important discoveries over the last century, such as the fourth blood type, polarography, soft contact lenses, the anti-AIDS drugs Vistide and Truvada, the anti-hepatitis B drug Hepsera and the ELISA diagnostic kit, which increases the likelihood of successful artificial insemination.

Biotech Industry

Approximately 70 biotech and pharmaceutical companies operate in the Czech Republic, with a prevailing interest in field of medicine. Furthermore, a substantial number of these companies cooperate closely with significant players in the pharmaceutical industry that are conveniently positioned in the Czech market. Many of Czech biotech companies specialize in production of the following:

Several biotechnology companies in the Czech Republic offer environmental protection services and specialize in waste management, decontamination, sanitation and re-cultivation of land and water.

Biotech Research and Education

The Czech Republic is home to a number of noteworthy research institutes that have achieved state-of-the-art results in the areas of immunology, rheumatology and medicinal chemistry. The country also offers quality research in neurosciences, oncology, diabetes and metabolic diseases. Major emphasis in current biotech research in the Czech Republic is being placed upon:

The Czech biotech sector also benefits from an extensive pool of educated and skilled workers supplied by a network of life-sciences universities. The total number of life-sciences students in the 2005-2006 school year amounted to 39,930 with the corresponding output of 5,214 graduates.

Foreign Investors

Baxter (USA) launched its biotech manufacturing operations in the Czech Republic in 2001. Baxter's hi-tech cell-culture vaccine manufacturing facility currently serves the requirements of the company's proprietary avian flu-vaccine production. The total investment has exceeded USD 70 million and the plant currently employs 230 highly trained and educated people.

"The presence of strong academic institutions such as the world-famous Charles University in Prague with renowned faculties of biochemistry, biology, pharmacy and medicine, as well as other Czech universities and colleges - Baxter counted on such institutions to provide young, well-trained professionals to meet the company's local labor needs."

The Czech production facility of the Swiss company Lonza manufactures active substances and intermediates for the life-sciences industry using microbial fermentation. The company's product range includes pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals (therapeutic proteins, peptides, secondary metabolites) and nutrition ingredients (e.g. L-Carnitine). Lonza has already invested more than EUR 140 million in its Czech site and employs more than 350 people. After the operation's expansion in 2004, Lonza is now investing nearly EUR 35.5 million in the innovation and further expansion of production. When the project is finished, Lonza will produce ALTU-135, a special blend of enzymes, forf the American company Altus Pharmaceuticals.

                                                                                                 
"Some clients have been left speechless when seeing for themselves the sophistication of our facilities."

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