Market Information
Europe

Biotechnology Sector Profile: Norway

May 2002

Bjorn J. Hanssen
Business Development Officer
Canadian Embassy
Wergelandsveien 7
0244 Oslo, Norway
Tel.: (011-47) 2299 5300
Fax: (011-47) 2299 5301
E-mail: bjorn.hanssen@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/no

Market Overview

Norway has a population of 4.5 million and its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000 was $1100 billion.1 The country's inflation rate was 3% and its unemployment rate was 3.4%. Norway is Canada's 16th-largest export market with total exports of $474 billion. Although Norway is not a member of the European Union, it adheres to many EU directives, particularly in the areas of trade policy and regulatory affairs.

The Norwegian biotechnology industry is still in its infancy with approximately 45 companies, all of which are relatively small and usually spin-offs from universities or government research institutes. About half of these firms are work on human health applications of biotechnology, mostly in diagnostics, and about one third in the field of marine biotechnology. The remainder are active in various other sub-sectors including industrial applications of biotechnology and bio-fuels.

The Norwegian biotechnology industry, being small, has concentrated on niche areas, the most important of which are marine biotechnology, and functional genomics. In the field of marine biotechnology, the Salmon Genome Project, supported by the Research Council of Norway, is looking to decode the salmon genome to increase our knowledge of the Atlantic Salmon and improve aquaculture methods. Canadian companies and research centres have partnered with Norway on this project.

Norway is supporting growth in the field of functional genomics through FUGE, a national plan for multidisciplinary research with emphasis on eight areas: bioinformatics; microarrays; proteomics; structural analysis; molecular imaging; model organisms; and biobanks. By applying functional genomics to its collection of biobanks (which have stored health related information on up to four or five generations of patients) scientists will potentially be able to trace the origins and development of genetic diseases.

Marine biotechnology is a particular strength of the Norwegian industry and draws on generations of expertise in marine research. Marine biotechnology is used to enhance the reproduction, growth rate and disease resistance of fish and shellfish. Biotechnology based techniques are also applied to improve fish tolerance to environmental conditions, develop better food products and systems, and decrease production costs. One of the most important applications of biotechnology to the aquaculture industry is in the development of vaccines to protect fish from bacterial and viral diseases.

There is a strong aquaculture research community in Norway, supported largely through government funding and increasing private sector/academic collaborations. Areas for further development within the industry include technology and facilities for smolts and fish food production, vaccines for diseases not yet controlled, and overall quality in fish production. Although typically associated with aquaculture, marine biotechnology also includes research into bioprocessing and environmental biotechnology. For example, investigating the use of fine chemicals, proteins and enzymes found in marine plants and wild life that may be useful for other products. Developing the marine biotechnology sector is a key element of the Norwegian government's strategy for a knowledge-based coastal industry.

Opportunities

The marine biotechnology industry in Norway is a natural partner for Canadian companies and research industries working in this area, and cooperation is already taking place in salmon genome research and in vaccine testing on farmed mussels.

Opportunities also exist in Norway for Canadian firms active in disease research, vaccines and medications, improved food and processing technologies, as well as research collaborations, contract research opportunities, and technology transfer. Opportunities for research and technology in the niche markets of species beyond salmon, particularly halibut, Arctic char and shellfish, will continue to grow. Canadian expertise and biotechnology products will be invaluable as these industries are developed in Norway.

Market Access Considerations

A local partner or distributor is essential for the marketing of medical and pharmaceutical products in Norway. A local partner will also be able to assist with regulatory approval processes and any labelling requirements.

Major Competition

There are a limited number of multi-national corporations active in the Norwegian market. Key players are primarily small-to-medium sized companies and include:

Affitech http://www.affitech.com

Axis-Shield http://www.axis-shield.co.uk/index.cfm

Bionor http://www.bionor.no

Biosense http://www.biosense.no

Dynal Biotech http://www.dynalbiotech.com

FMC Biopolymer http://www.fmcbiopolymer.com

GenoVision http://www.genovision.com

Genpoint http://www.genpoint.com

GenoMar http://www.genomar.com

Inovio http://www.inovio.com

Intervet Norbio http://www.intervet.no

Lauras http://www.lauras.no/main.html