Biotechnology Use and Development Survey

Biotechnology continued its phenomenal growth in Canada between 2001 and 2003, according to new preliminary data from the Biotechnology Use and Development Survey.

There were 496 innovative biotechnology firms in Canada in 2003, a 32% increase from 375 in 2001 and a 76% increase from 282 firms in 1997.

Half of the increase in the number of firms between 2001 and 2003 is explained by the creation of new firms during this period.

Combined, these 496 companies generated revenues of $3.8 billion in 2003, up 7% from 2001. Their spending on research and development also increased 11% to $1.5 billion.

Biotechnology companies have more than quadrupled their revenues since 1997, making biotech a fast growing activity.

An innovative biotechnology firm is a firm that uses biotechnology for the purpose of developing new products or processes.

Large biotech companies, or those with at least 150 employees, represented only 13% of the 496 biotech firms in 2003, but accounted for 64% of biotech revenues. Nearly three-quarters of all companies were small firms, that is, they had fewer than 50 employees.

Medium-sized firms, those with between 50 and 149 employees accounted for 47% of spending on biotechnology research and development.

More than 70% of the innovative biotechnology firms were in only three provinces: Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. These provinces continue to comprise the bulk of Canadian biotechnology activity, accounting for more than 80% of biotechnology revenues in 2003.

Ontario firms led the way in biotechnology revenues, whereas those in Quebec accounted for the largest share of biotechnology firms, biotech employees and research and development spending.

Despite an increase in the number of firms, the number of employees working in biotechnology-related activities remained stable at about 11,900.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4226.

Preliminary data from the 2003 Biotechnology Use and Development Survey are now available.

To request data tables or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Antoine Rose (613-951-9919; antoine.rose@statcan.gc.ca) or Lara Raoub (613-951-3490; lara.raoub@statcan.gc.ca), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.