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Market Brief: The Biotechnology Market in Argentina

May 2003

© Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
FaxLink # 42590

Report prepared by the Market Research Centre
Market Support Division (TCM)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 943-1103
E-mail: mrc@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

The Market Research Centre produces a wide range of market reports by region and sector for Canadian exporters. These reports are available from:

- DFAIT's InfoExport Internet site ( http://www.infoexport.gc.ca )

The Government of Canada has prepared this report based on primary and secondary sources of information. Readers should take note that the Government of Canada does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information contained in this report, nor does it necessarily endorse the organizations listed herein. Readers should independently verify the accuracy and reliability of the information.



Quick Facts

Market Highlights

  • Argentina is the second-largest producer of genetically modified (GM) crops in the world. Yields for GM crops are soybean (95%), corn (20%) and cotton (6%).
  • Pharmaceutical research and development biotechnology processes have recently been approved and incorporated in Argentina. Trade niches for Canadian enterprises will be forged as this market grows.

Opportunities

  • Argentina is a strong supporter of biotechnology and this represents future opportunities to Canadian companies as the Argentine economy recovers. Relationship building during the current period of financial uncertainty may yield competitive advantages at a later date.
  • There are opportunities for collaborative research and technology licensing agreements.

Key Players

  • Multinational corporations lead the Argentine biotechnology industry. Renowned local companies are also well established in this market.

Export Checklist

  • Current financial crisis in Argentina makes investment and growth predictions difficult. Significant economic improvement in the short term is not envisaged.


Market Summary

  • The Government of Argentina is focused on accelerating the growth of its biotech industry. Major Argentine exports stem from agriculture-related industries, stimulating agricultural biotech industries to lead this market.
  • According to the Argentine Forum for Biotechnology (FAB)1, national biotech industry sales totalled $75 million2 in 2000.
  • The country has a highly educated population thus future biotech developments, resulting from academic research, will be prominent as the industry matures.

Agricultural Biotechnology

  • Argentina is the world's second-largest producer of GM crops (see Table 1). An estimated 12.5 million hectares were sown in 2002.
Table 1. Genetically Modified Crop Producers, by Country
(million hectares)
  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
United States 1.5 8.1 20.5 28.7 30.3 35.7
Argentina 0.1 1.4 4.3 6.7 10.0 11.8
Canada 0.1 1.3 2.8 4.0 3.0 3.2
Australia <0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1
Mexico <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.1 <0.1
Spain 0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
France 0 0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
South Africa 0 0 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.1
Others 0 0 0 <0.1 <0.1 1.5
Total 1.7 10.9 29.1 39.9 44.2 52.6

Source: Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat (SAGPyA), 2002

  • Approximately 22 private-sector companies are active in agricultural biotech applications and study crop improvements for key crops including corn, sunflower, cotton, potato, soybean and wheat. Research at universities is also carried out. Currently university researchers are developing genetically improved strawberries designed to resist common diseases.
  • Approximately 495 permits for field tests were issued between 1991 and 2001 for Monsanto, Dow, Pioneer, Tecnoplant (BioSidus), Syngenta, Aventis, Advanta, Mycoyen, Novartis, Ciba-Geigy, AgrEvo and Zeneca, as well as for five national research centres: Argentine Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA), University of Tucumán, University of Buenos Aires, University of Rosario and University of La Plata.
Table 2. Permits for Genetically Modified Crop Tests, 1991-2002
Crop % of permits for feild tracks
Corn 46.4
Soybeans 15.5
Sunflower 15.1
Cotton 9.7
Wheat 3.0
Potatoes 3.0
Alfalfa 1.6
Others (tobacco, strawberries, sugar beet, rice, tomatoes and colza) 5.7
Total 100.0

Source: Agricultural Biotechnology National Advisory Committee, 2001

  • Thirty-six percent of all GM crops approved for field tests in Argentina have been released for herbicide tolerance and 43% have been released for insect tolerance. The remainder were for fungal disease resistance (7%), virus tolerance (2%) and other traits (11%).
  • Genetically modified cotton accounts for 5.7% of the country's crop. That percentage is likely to increase as more farmers opt to pay for the higher prices of seeds in exchange for higher yields and a decrease in the use of fertilizer and pesticides.
  • In April 2001, Argentina approved a new GM variety of cotton produced by Monsanto. This was the first GM approval in Argentina since a de-facto moratorium was enforced in 1998. Argentina stopped the approval of new GM crop varieties primarily because of a backlash from export markets in Europe and Asia. Agricultural exports account for almost 60% of Argentina's total exports and a threat to this industry could have disastrous effects on its entire economy. Other markets in the world, however, are willing to accept GM products without penalties.
Table 3. Evolution of Genetically Modified Cotton (GMC)
Year Cultivated Area
(hectares)
Estimated Area with
GM Cotton
hectares %
%
1998/1999 751 000 5 000 0.7
1999/2000 345 000 8 000 2.4
2000/2001 410 290 25 000 6.0
2001/2002 173 000 10 000 5.7
  • Argentina is the world's third-largest soybean producer with 15% of total world production and 12% of total exports. An estimated 94% of sown soybean is genetically modified.
Table 4. Evolution of Genetically Modified Soybean
Product Cultivated Area
(hectares)
Estimated Area with
GM Soybean
hectares
%
1996/1997 6 670 000 50 000 0.8
1997/1998 7 176 000 1 400 000 19.5
1998/1999 8 400 000 6 100 000 73.0
1999/2000 8 740 000 7 400 000 85.0
2000/2001 10 540 000 9 500 000 90.0
2001/2002 11 610 000 10 925 000 94.0

Source: SAGPyA, 2002

  • Genetically modified corn, approved since 1996, represents approximately 20% of the country's total production. With 3% of total world production and 13% of exports, Argentina is the world's second-largest corn producer, after the United States.
  • Corn Bt-11, produced by Monsanto, was approved in July 2001.
Table 5. Evolution of Genetically Modified Corn
Product Cultivated Area
(hectares)
Estimated Area with
GM Corn
hectares
%
1998/1999* 3 268 000 30 000 0.9
1999/2000** 3 630 000 200 000 6.0
2000/2001*** 3 333 000 585 000 17.5
2001/2002 3 048 000 9 600 20

* 7000 hectares sown corn T25 and 23 000 hectares sown corn Bt
** 5000 hectares sown corn T25 and 195 000 hectares with Bt176-Mon 810
*** 580 000 hectares sown corn Bt and 5000 hectares with corn LL
Source: SAGPyA, 2002

  • Seven GM crops have been approved for commercial release in Argentina: two cotton varieties, four corn and one soybean (see Table 6).
Table 6. Genetically Modified Crops-Events Approved for Commercialization in Argentina
Crop Company Characteristics Transformation
Event
Argentina
Soy Nidera-Monsanto Glifosate tolerance "40-3.2" SAGPyA Resolution 167/96
(3-25-96)
Corn Ciba-Geigy Lepidopterons and Glufosinate resistance "176 SAGPyA Resolution 372/98
(6-22-98)
Corn AgrEvo Ammonium glufosinate tolerance "T 25 SAGPyA Resolution 372/98
(6-22-98)
Corn Monsanto Lepidopterons resistance "Mon 810" SAGPyA Resolution 429/98
(7-16-98)
Corn Monsanto Lepidopterons resistance "Bt-11" SAGPyA Resolution 392/01 (7-27-2001)
Cotton Monsanto Lepidopterons resistance "Mon 53" SAGPyA Resolution 428/98 (7-16-98)
Cotton Monsanto Glifosate tolerance "Mon 1445" SAGPyA Resolution 32/01 (4-25-2001)

Source: SAGPyA, 2002

  • The Interamerican Institute for Agriculture Co-operation (IICA) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development state that sales of $7.6 billion resulted from the additional approval of soy RR, corn Bt and cotton Bt to local agriculture in 1995 and in 2001. Sown areas increased by more than 4.6 million hectares, most of which were for soybean crops.
  • Argentina's 2001 renewal of interest in the commercial potential of biotech GM crops extends beyond granting approvals to establishing a biotech commission to promote the domestic industry. Argentina has also aligned itself with U.S. biotech policies and supports further research and development of GM crops and biopharmaceuticals.
  • Furthermore, in order to improve public awareness and acceptance, the government has introduced programs to educate the public on the benefits of biotechnology, particularly in the areas of GM crops and seeds. It has teamed with the Universidad Nacional de Quilmes to deliver the Knowledge and Society Program, aimed at bringing the general public and scientific conceptions of biotechnology closer together. Despite these efforts, private-sector investor interest has been moderate to date.

Biopharmaceuticals

  • Approximately 250 companies are active in the local pharmaceutical industry, including eight medical biotech companies: six dedicated to diagnostics and two to biogeneric production. FAB states that genic and transgenic are two areas in development. Local biotech companies exported in 2001 five protein recombinants valued at $38 million for human health purposes. Exports in 2001 reached $17 million for human diagnoses and $13.9 million for animal health sectors (see Table 7). The current financial crisis, however, makes imports of raw materials and finished products more expensive and the industry is likely to have experienced a decline in sales in 2002.
Table 7. Local Biotechnology Exports, 2001
Area Exports (US$ million) %
Human diagnoses 11.2 24
Human health 25.0 54
Animal health 9.2 20
Agriculture 1.0 2.0
Total 46.4 100

Source: Argentinean Forum for Biotechnology, 2002

  • The pharmaceutical industry has witnessed a consolidation in recent years as an increased number of multinational companies entered the market through strategic alliances, marketing alliances, mergers with or acquisitions of local enterprises.
  • Argentina's domestic biotech sector is in its dawning and local investment has been limited. The current economic crisis is likely to continue to stifle investment. To date, U.S. biotech products and services dominate this market.

Government Support for Biotechnology

  • The National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology (CONABIA) is a key player in biotech industry developments in Argentina. It was created in 1991 to provide advice and technical support to the Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat (SAGPyA) on the design and management of regulations concerning the introduction and environmental strategy of transgenic material. CONABIA comprises representatives from both the public and private sectors engaged in agricultural biotechnology and is a key component in Argentina's approval process for the release of GM organisms (GMOs).
  • The National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion has two funding sources: the Fund for Scientific and Technology Research (FONCYT) and the Argentinean Technological Fund (FONTAR). FONCYT supports researchers and public institutions in order to build scientific and technological information. It has two funding branches-Projects for Scientific and Technological Research and Projects for Research and Development-that work with companies or public organizations willing to co-finance appropriate projects. FONCYT also qualifies private research institutions to receive federal funding. FONTAR, on the other hand, finances the development of a national system of research. FONTAR also funds private companies to enhance their technological capabilities through linking technological units with public and/or private research organizations and through technology transfer arrangements. FONTAR-funded projects include those focussing on research and experimental development, technological developments, technological modernization, training, and technological services.
  • In addition to providing federal funds directly to industry, the government also supports biotech growth through key research centres and organizations throughout Argentina. Key government-supported research institutions active in biotechnology include:
  • National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA). Associated with the Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat, INTA conducts basic and applied research of agricultural technologies. INTA management is shared by the government, local farming organizations, technical and scientific communities and universities. Founded in 1956, INTA promotes and strengthens agricultural research and development, optimizes agricultural production by generating appropriate technologies for a sustainable production, and ensures access for Argentine products to local and international markets. Over 4000 government employees serve at 47 experimental stations, 16 research institutes and 200 extension agencies throughout the country. INTA works in R&D projects such as a sunflower resistant to herbicides, lepidopterons and fungi; alfalfa resistant to fungus and with genes for condensed tannins; and potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce resistant to virus.
  • Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (INGEBI). INGEBI was created in 1980 by CONICET and the University of Buenos Aires as a result of growing interest in genetic engineering. INGEBI performs basic and applied research and transfers R&D work to production systems. INGEBI projects include R&D of wheat resistant to fungus and nutritionally improved, and potatoes resistant to bacteria, fungus and virus. Many developments are conducted through joint ventures with companies such as Gador, Biosidus, Biotica-Polychaco and Wiener. The Institute is part of CONICET and has national and international support from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, International Foundation of Science (Sweden), CYTED-D (Spain) and CNRS/INSERM (France).
  • Regional Centre for Genome Studies in La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires. The University of La Plata has a co-operation agreement with the Max Planck Institute (Germany) to develop genetically engineered vaccines for livestock. The project, announced in September 2001, will be focused at the new Regional Centre for Genome Studies, to be built in La Plata. This agreement will give Argentine researchers access to advanced techniques and equipment. The University of La Plata also performs R&D on transgenic strawberries at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnologíía de Alimentos (Research and Development Centre in Criotecnologíía de Alimentos).
  • Superior Institute of Biologic Research (INSIBIO). INSIBIO is a branch of the University of Tucuman (in northwestern Argentina) and has several research departments: bio-engineering, biology, physiology, neuroscience and nutrition biochemistry. INSIBIO researches antibiotics and the result and evaluation of new strawberry varieties, the detection and characteristics of defence proteins and strawberry genes.
  • University of Rosario's IBMyC Institute. The Institute performs R&D projects with environmental stress and resistant tobacco.


Opportunities

  • Argentina's desire to expand its use of biotechnology, particularly in the area of agriculture and agri-food, stages future opportunities to Canadian biotech firms in these sectors. Relationship building during the current period of financial uncertainty may yield competitive advantages at a later date.
  • Argentina has a long history of agricultural research expertise and Canadian companies and research centres will find highly educated scientists working in academia and the private sector. Collaborative research and technology licensing opportunities are present.
  • According to the Secretariat for Technology, Science and Productive Innovation, Argentina is at medium or acceptable level of development in pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular parasitology. However, it is at an insufficient level in biophysics, vegetal molecular biology, microbial and vegetal biochemistry, and genetics; and is highly insufficient in bio-informatics, structural biology and combined chemicals. Opportunities for partnerships and training are therefore available in these areas.


Key Players

  • The biotech industry in Argentina is dominated by subsidiaries of multinational corporations. Key players in the agricultural biotech industry include Monsanto (U.S.), Pioneer (U.S.), Dow (U.S.), Novartis (Switzerland), Syngenta (Switzerland) and Aventis (Franco-German). In the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, key players include Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Bayer (Germany), Roche (France), GlaxoSmithKline (U.K.), Novartis (Switzerland) and Pfizer (U.S.).

Local players in Argentina's biotech market include:

  • BioSidus (http://www.sidus.com.ar), which is involved in research and development for both medical biotechnology and plant biotechnology. The company has commercialized four recombinant proteins for use in human health and produces other raw materials for the biotech industry. BioSidus is also focused on building academic and industrial relationships through research agreements. Some research fields of this company are: development of expression systems to produce recombinants proteins in bacteria, in different lines of mammal cells, in yeasts and transgenic vegetables and animals; biotech utilization to obtain raw materials for human health; clinic investigations with recombinant proteins; development of farm transgenic animals in order to produce human proteins; and development of recombinant vaccines against bacterial infections and vegetal biotechnology. In August and September 2002, Argentina produced its first cloned and transgenic calves. The project of BioSidus demanded a great investment and located Argentina among the first six countries of the world to create these bovines. The main objective of this development is to obtain human health medicines.
  • Biogenesis (http://www.biogenesis.com.ar), which specializes in veterinary products and animal health. The company develops, produces and commercializes its products in markets throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, South Africa and Taiwan. Key areas of work include vaccines, antiparasitics, growth promoters, vitamins, antibiotics and diagnostic kits.
  • Gador (http://www.gador.com.ar), one of Argentina's largest pharmaceutical companies, has international distribution agreements with a variety of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Although based in Buenos Aries, the company employs more than 500 people throughout the country.
  • Laboratorio Bagó (http://www.bago.com.ar), a traditional pharmaceutical company specializing in antibiotic manufacturing. The company's manufacturing facility in La Plata produces over 100 pharmaceutical preparations. In 1991, Bagó established its International Pharma Division in order to form strategic alliances and collaborative agreements with international companies.
  • Laboratorio Beta (http://www.betalab.com.ar), the only insulin producer and the major player in anti-inflammatory pharmacopoeia in Argentina. Beta developed the first skin-absorption anti-inflammatory and estrogen preparations in Argentina.
  • Síntesis Quimica (http://www.sintesisquimica.com.ar), which produces chemical specialties and biological products for the agriculture industry. The company exports its biological products and also manufactures for third parties.
  • Laboratorios Wiener (http://www.wiener-lab.com.ar), which develops, produces and sells reactives for clinical diagnosis.
  • Bioaxioma (http://www.bioaxioma.com), a bio-informatics company in Buenos Aires, designs software to enable scientists to manage and search the data generated in biotech research. The company caters to agricultural biotech companies and research centres working on genetics and protein research, in particular.
  • Polychaco, which researches, develops, produces and sells biotech goods and services for human health and food. The company mainly produces reagents and seeds.
  • Biocientífica, which specializes in auto-immunization, infectious diseases and clinically relevant protein assays. Reagents are sold internationally in kits.


Export Checklist

  • Not many years ago, Argentina was Latin America's wealthiest and most economically advanced economy. However, It is not likely that Argentina will fully recover from the economic downturn that crippled the country in 2001 in the near future. Political stability and prudent economic strategies over the next year may lead to modest growth in 2003.
  • Argentina's approach to foreign investment is very open. Foreign investors can enter any industry sector with little or no registration or prior government approval.
  • Argentina is a member of Mercosur, a free trade agreement with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Mercosur free trade zone covers most products and may create a competitive disadvantage for Canadian firms with comparable biotech products or services.
  • The approval of GMOs in Argentina is in a multistage process. CONABIA first considers the safety of releasing the organism into the environment. The organism is then evaluated by the National Food and Agriculture Safety and Quality Service (SENASA) for its suitability as food or feed. The final step in the process for commercial release involves a review by the National Bureau of Agrifood Markets, a division within CONABIA, which assesses any negative impact the crop may have on Argentine export markets. Based on the outcome of this review, the Argentine Agriculture Secretariat makes the final decision: to allow the commercial release or to reject the organism.
  • The Argentine evaluation system is based on environmental and consumer safety evaluations of the final product, rather than on evaluations of the process by which the product is derived. All risk assessment and monitoring of field tests are conducted by the Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat. The SAGPyA also grants all permits for contained tests and trials.
  • Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products approved for sale in Canada (and nine other industrialized nations including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Germany) must apply for and receive an import licence from the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Technology (ANMAT) under the Ministry of Health. Any product not approved for sale in these countries must undergo clinical tests and trials under the authority of ANMAT before being sold in Argentina.
  • Biotechnology firms are advised to examine the intellectual property regime in Argentina prior to entering the market. The United States has pressed Argentina, through World Trade Organization channels, to address obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS Agreement). Specifically, there are concerns about the protection of confidential test data submitted to government regulatory authorities for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. While progress has been reported, Canadian companies should still be diligent about protecting their intellectual property rights.

Key Trade Shows

  • Feriagro Argentina, March 13-16, 2003 in Establecimiento Maipú. New technologies for seeds, fertilizers and phytosanitary products, farm machinery and biotechnology will be displayed. (Contact Ferias y Exposiciones Argentina at jmolina@fyea.com.ar ).
  • International Livestock, Agriculture and Industry Show 2003. July 25-August 6, 2003 in Buenos Aires ( http://www.ruralarg.org.ar ).


Key Contacts

Canadian Government Contacts

Canadian Embassy in Argentina
Casilla de Correo 1598, Correo Central
Buenos Aires, C1000WAP, Argentina
Contact: Carlos Miranda, Trade Commissioner
Tel.: (54-11) 4805-3032
Fax: (54-11) 4806-1209
E-mail: bairs-commerce@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bairs

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Market and Industry Services Branch
Sir John Carling Building
930 Carling Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5
Tel.: (613) 759-7744
Fax: (613) 759-7499
Internet: http://www.agr.ca

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Office of Biotechnology
59 Camelot Dr.
Nepean, ON K1A 0Y9
Tel.: (613) 225-2342
Fax: (613) 228-6653
E-mail: cfiamaster@agr.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.cfia-acia.agr.ca

Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade (DFAIT)
125 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Internet: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Market Research Centre (TCM)
Contact: Michelle Morris, International Market Analyst
Tel.: (613) 994-2462
Fax: (613) 943-1103
E-mail: michelle.morris@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca

Market Support Division (TCM)
Contact: Chris Duggan, Trade Commissioner
Tel.: (613) 996-1431
Fax: (613) 944-0050
E-mail: christopher.duggan@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca

South America Division (LSR)
Contact: Michel Lemay, Desk Officer
Tel.: (613) 996-5549
Fax: (613) 943-8808
E-mail: michel.lemay@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Export Development Canada (EDC)
151 O'Connor St.
Ottawa, ON K1A 1K3
Tel.: 1-888-332-3320 or (613) 598-2500
Fax: (613) 237-2690
E-mail: export@edc-see.ca
Internet: http://www.edc.ca

Health Canada
International Affairs Directorate
A.L. 0900C2
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Tel.: (613) 957-2991
Fax: (613) 941-5366
Internet: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Industry Canada
Life Sciences Branch
PO Box 940, Station M
1505 Barrington St.
Halifax, NS B3J 2V9
Contact: Mark Craig, Sector Officer
Tel.: (902) 426-9958
Fax: (902) 426-2624
E-mail: craig.mark@ic.gc.ca
Internet: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca


Canadian Industry Associations

Ag-West Biotech
101 - 111 Research Dr.
Saskatoon, SK S7N 3R2
Tel.: (306) 975-1939
Fax: (306) 975-1966
E-mail: agwest@agwest.sk.ca
Internet: http://www.agwest.sk.ca

Alberta Biotechnology Association
1150, 10180 - 101 St.
Edmonton, AB T5J 3S4
Contact: Myka Osinchuk, Executive Director
Tel.: (780) 425-3815
Fax: (780) 423-3893
E-mail: myka@bioalberta.com
Internet: http://www.bioalberta.com

BioAtlantech
PO Box 636, Station A
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Tel.: (506) 444-2444
Fax: (506) 444-5662
Internet: http://www.bioatlantech.nb.ca

BioEast
2nd Floor, Spencer Hall
220 Prince Philip Dr.
St. John's, NL A1B 3X5
Contact: Margaret Miller, Managing Director
Tel.: (709) 737-2682
Fax: (709) 737-4029
Internet: http://www.bioeast.ca

BIONova
c/o Innovacorp
101 Research Dr.
PO Box 790
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 3Z7
Contact: Bill Mills, Executive Director
Tel.: (902) 424-8670
Fax: (902) 424-4679
E-mail: bmills@innovacorp.ns.ca

Bio Quebec
6100 Mount Royal Ave.
Montreal, QC H4P 2R2
Tel.: (514) 733-8411
Fax: (514) 733-8272
E-mail: info@bioquebec.com
Internet: http://www.bioquebec.com

BIOTECanada
130 Albert St., Suite 420
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G2
Tel.: (613) 230-5585
Fax: (613) 563-8850
E-mail: info@biotech.ca
Internet: http://www.biotech.ca

British Columbia Biotechnology Alliance
3250 East Mall, Suite 225
Vancouver, BC V6T 1W5
Contact: Paul Stinson, Executive Director
Tel.: (604) 221-3020
Fax: (604) 221-3027
Internet: http://www.bcbiotech.ca

Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
1111 Prince of Wales Dr., Suite 302
Ottawa, ON K2C 3T2
Tel.: (613) 727-1380
Fax: (613) 727-1407
Internet: http://www.canadapharma.org

Canadian Agri-Food Research Council
Building 60, Heritage House
Central Experimental Farm
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6
Tel.: (613) 234-2325
Fax: (613) 234-2330
Internet: http://www.carc-crac.ca

Ottawa Life Sciences Council
600 Peter Morand Dr., Suite 100
Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3
Tel.: (613) 521-1008
Fax: (613) 521-3065
Internet: http://olsc.ca

Toronto Biotechnology Initiative
PO Box 446, Station A
Toronto, ON M5W 1C2
Tel.: (416) 392-4780
Fax: (416) 397-0906
Internet: http://www.torontobiotech.org


Argentine Government Contacts

Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud)
Av. 9 de Julio 1925 (C1073ABA)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4379-9000
Internet: http://www.msal.gov.ar (Spanish)

National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Technology
(Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Medica [ANMAT])
Av. de Mayo 869 (1084)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel./Fax: (54-11) 4340-0800
Internet: http://www.anmat.gov.ar (Spanish)

National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology
(Comisión Nacional Asesora de Biotecnología Agropecuaria [CONABIA])
Av. Paseo Colon 982, Piso 2, Ofic. 220
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4349-2222
Fax: (54-11) 4349-2224
Internet: http://siiap.sagyp.mecon.ar (Spanish)

National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion
(Agencia Nacional de Promoción Cientifica y Tecnología)
Av. Cordoba 831, 1P (1054)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4311-9650
Internet: http://www.agencia.secyt.gov.ar (Spanish)

National Food and Agriculture Safety and Quality Service
(Servico Nacional de Sandad y Calidad Agroalimentaria [SENASA])
Av. Paseo Colon 367 (1063)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4331-6041/9
Internet: http://www.senasa.gov.ar

Secretariat for Technology, Science and
Productive Innovation (Secretaría de Ciencia,
Tecnología e Innovación Productiva)
Av. Cordoba 831 (1054)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4313-1366
Fax: (54-11) 4312-8364
Internet: http://www.secyt.gov.ar (Spanish)

Secretary of State for Agriculture, Livestock,
Fisheries and Food (Secretaría de Agricultura,
Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación)
Av. Paseo Colon 982/922 (1063)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4349-2000
Internet: http://www.sagpya.mecon.gov.ar


Key Argentine Research Centres and Industry Contacts

Argentinean Forum for Biotechnology (Foro
Argentino de Biotecnología [FAB])
Av. Cordoba 934, 1P (1054)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel./Fax: (54-11) 4322-2602/04
E-mail: info@foarbi.org.ar
Internet: http://www.foarbi.org.ar (Spanish)

Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
(Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genetica y Biología Molecular [INGEBI])
University of Buenos Aires
Vta. de Obligado 2490, 2P (1428)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Internet: http://proteus.dna.uba.ar (Spanish)

National Council of Scientific and Technical Research
(Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas
[CONICET])
Av. Rivadavia 1917, 1P (1033)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4953-7230/1
Fax: (54-11) 4951-8552
Internet: http://www.conicet.gov.ar (Spanish)

National Institute of Agricultural Technology
(Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria [INTA])
Av. Rivadavia 1439 (1033)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel.: (54-11) 4338-4600/82
Fax: (54-11) 4383-5090
Internet: http://www.inta.gov.ar (Spanish)

Superior Institute of Biologic Research
(Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas [INSIBIO])
National University of Tucuman
Ayacucho 491 1P (4000)
Tucuman, Argentina
Tel.: (54-381) 424-7772
Fax: (54-381) 424-8025
Internet: http://www.ibi.herrera.unt.edu.ar/insibio (Spanish)



BIBLIOGRAPHY

Print

Cohen, JoelI. "Regulations, Moratoriums and Biotechnology: What's at Stake for Developing

Countries?" Prepared for the Pocantino Retreat on the Human Development Report 2001. Making New Technologies Work for Human Development. June 2001.

Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. Exporters' Encyclopaedia. "Argentina," 2001.

Espicom Business Intelligence. World Pharmaceutical Markets. "Argentina," February 2002.

Feedstuffs. "Argentina Gives Final Approval to GM Cotton," May 2001.

Food Chemical News. "Researchers at Three Argentine Universities Have Developed Genetically

Engineered Strawberries Resistant to Diseases that Commonly Attack the Fruit," April 2001.

Jones, Athena. "Argentina Still Bullish on Frankencrops," Reuters News, June 2001.

---. "Argentine Farmers Bet on Biotech," Reuters News, June 2001.

---. "Argentina Sets Up Biotechnology Panel," Reuters News, May 2001.

Lagorio, Juan Jose. "U.S.-China Deal on GM Soy Gives Hope to Argentina," Reuters News, March 2002.

Lewis, Steven. "Argentina and Germany to Cooperate on Biotech Vaccines," Food Chemical News, September 2001.

PR Newswire. "Monsanto's Roundup Ready Cotton Approved in Argentina," May 2001.

United States. Department of Agriculture. Foreign Agricultural Service. GAIN Report. "New Biotech Crop Approved in Argentina," 2001.

Valente, Marcela. "Argentina: Transgenic Cotton Approved for Planting," Inter Press Service, June 2001.

Wroclavsky, Damian. "Argentina Approves First GMO Seed in 3 Years," Reuters News, May 2001.


Electronic

The Economist. "Country Briefing: Argentina Forecast," 2002. Downloaded from http://www.economist.com/countries/Argentina on April 22, 2002.

Technology Review. "AG Biotech: Developing countries turn to genetically modified crops," July/August 2001. Downloaded from http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/innovation10701.asp on April 22, 2002.


USEFUL INTERNET SITES

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology: http://www.ejbiotechnology.info

ExportSource: http://exportsource.gc.ca

InfoExport: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca

Strategis - Biotechnology Gateway: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/bo01376e.html

Strategis - Health Industries: http://strategis.gc.ca/sc_indps/sectors/engdoc/hind_hpg.html


1 For contact information regarding key organizations mentioned in this report, see Key Contacts and Support Services.

2 All monetary amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. The conversion rate to Canadian dollars is based on IDD Information Services, Tradeline, December 2002.


Date Modified: 2004-04-08 Important Notices