Beyond the numbers: Explore the trends and ideas shaping Australian business. Listen now.
Spanning across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and medical technology, the sector remains highly regulated, highly capital intensive and highly reliant on funding to nurture its growth.
Being under the spotlight in recent years has only strengthened the sector’s importance. Opportunities are abundant for innovative businesses looking to grow and commercialise in a mature industry, harness the power of a thriving digital economy to push the boundaries of innovation, and develop solutions for in-demand areas supported by investments in R&D.
Between increasing vaccine production capacity, growing capabilities in medical products and technologies, and the sector’s ability to commercialise and manufacture – it’s an industry with huge potential in a market demanding agile solutions. With sustainability high on the agenda, there are ample opportunities for performance improvement to reduce energy use. These range from finding efficiencies in medical technology to using synthetic biology across agribusiness, manufacturing and healthcare.
To grow the life sciences sector, it’s crucial to enhance collaboration with Government, researchers and other industry players. This will help derive value for clients through innovation and investment, empowering organisations to be on the front foot with finding operational efficiencies.
The Government’s National Reconstruction Fund intends to incentivise medical science innovation, investing in sovereign manufacturing and intellectual property on Australian shores.
With a surge in digital health initiatives including telehealth, outcome prediction tools and integration of diagnostics for patient outcomes, technology has championed process improvement.
Requiring a highly specialised and skilled workforce, the competition for life sciences talent is intense. Organisations need a compelling value proposition beyond remuneration to remain competitive.
How Australian biotech can use funding, clinical research and global markets to drive growth.
The Federal Court’s $5.8M ACL decision signals a new era for privacy, cybersecurity, and governance in Australia. It reinforces that privacy and cyber obligations start Day 1 of any acquisition, governance failures will be scrutinised, and accountability cannot be outsourced. Boards must ensure robust oversight, deep cyber due diligence, and forensic incident response. With OAIC escalating regulatory enforcement, organisations face heightened legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Built on world-class research and clinical trials, Australia’s biotech industry is increasingly shifting towards commercialisation, global expansion, and long-term growth.
Life science companies are no strangers to investment in R&D and innovation. The sector made a giant digitisation leap during the pandemic, implementing changes that might otherwise have taken a decade to achieve – ranging from telehealth to artificial intelligence application, integration of diagnostics and operational efficiency. Investment in technology is seen as key to increasing efficiency in processes, production and supply chains, helping offset inflationary pressures. R&D investment trends are key to support investment in technology to find efficiencies.
Despite the public race for a COVID-19 vaccine, most medical products, and pharmaceuticals undergo many years in development before hitting the market. While funding is available, it remains competitive. To encourage life sciences innovation and scientific progress, the Government has established a National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), with a key priority investment area on medical science. We’ve already seen grants around developing medical devices and MedTech commercialisation domestically – with an intent to boost capabilities to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat or alleviate a disease or injury. These policies, along with industry collaboration and incentives, aim to support scale-up of capabilities and translate into commercialisation. The NRF and other Government incentives such as the Patent Box can be a tax effective tool to invest in additional R&D while also adding an extra layer of certainty for investors.
The life sciences sector is one of the most regulated in the world – and one of the most vulnerable to cyber crime, security issues and fraud. The systems and compliance in place can help mitigate risk and identify vulnerabilities before they become problems. We can help ensure you establish effective quality standards that evolve as your business grows. Whether it’s tax, audit or risk, we cut through the compliance and complexity.
Depending on where you are in your business growth cycle, you will no doubt be considering and scoping the next opportunity for your business. A merger or acquisition (M&A) can be a stream of new income, diversification, funding, market access and cash flow. Alternatively, you might want an IPO and look at options for listing both here and abroad. These transactions can be the cause of many questions around opportunities and challenges – particularly when operating under the threat of a COVID-induced recession. From deal strategy, due diligence, understanding your value and navigating complex tax in M&A implications, to agreeing terms, integrating successfully or selling a business – we’re here to advise you on the next best steps.
The life sciences sector is highly specialised and skilled; many of these skills are sourced from all over the world. With a global shortage of people who have the expertise needed by life sciences, competition for talent is intense. Coupled with rising labour costs, employers need to look beyond remuneration and consider alternative employee incentives. From non-cash remuneration to employee share schemes, these flexible forms of compensation can be a competitive advantage to attract and retain talent, but also to protect intellectual property. In addition, the Government has put in place initiatives to address these shortages and attract more global talent, including increases to the migration cap, investment into fee-free TAFE courses, parental leave and return to work support.
There are untapped markets for Australian life sciences companies – the ASEAN, US and European markets already play host to many life sciences companies with opportunity for growth. It’s important to be across new and emerging trade deals, tariffs, and customs protocols to streamline your logistics and help capture new markets. In addition to programs like the Australian Trusted Trader program, you’ll benefit from having an international growth strategy that also focuses on global trade compliance.
Whether you’re looking to unlock capital, identify potential funders, list on the ASX, or another capital market, we can guide you through the process, ensuring relevant assurance reporting is conducted.
Wherever you are in the business lifecycle, we ensure you structure your tax effectively, manage your obligations, meet international tax requirements and leverage grants unique to your organisation’s profile.
To help you navigate life science’s highly regulated environment, our audit approach will assist you to comply with regulations, improve business strategies and internal processes.
Our consulting team supports its clients with hands-on and proactive advice on all aspects of their strategies for sustainable growth.
Whether you’re looking to unlock capital, identify potential funders, list on the ASX, or another capital market, we can guide you through the process, ensuring relevant assurance reporting is conducted.
To help you navigate life science’s highly regulated environment, our audit approach will assist you to comply with regulations, improve business strategies and internal processes.
Wherever you are in the business lifecycle, we ensure you structure your tax effectively, manage your obligations, meet international tax requirements and leverage grants unique to your organisation’s profile.
Our consulting team supports its clients with hands-on and proactive advice on all aspects of their strategies for sustainable growth.
Partner & National Head of Life Sciences
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In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via communications@au.gt.com.
For years, we’ve partnered with AusBiotech on the Biotechnology Industry Position report – an important piece of research exploring industry performance and trends for the future. The 2022 report highlighted how the pandemic has shone a light on the sector’s capabilities and opportunities, and cemented the industry’s importance in the eyes of the Australian Government and investors alike. Despite the sector’s growth, a shortage of capital and skills remains as the industry feeds its need for commercialisation and clinical development.
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