The Austrian Life-Science Sector 44 % of the Austrian life-science companies were set up before 1999 ... in 2007 they had revenues amounting to 8,7 bio € and gross investments of 590 mil € per year… …invest 10 of their revenues in research... ... Finance investments into research through holding companies nationally and abroad… … 80% have currently less than a staff of 50; but growing in size… ... On average 29 people are working in their research departments of which 42% are women… …56% of Austrian life-science companies have their own production facilities… ... have developed positively as off 2007 to 2008 and have a positive outlook into the future. Size and Age of Life Science Companies
Research and Development
In the Austrian life-science sector you find foremost small companies. 77% of researched companies have less than a staff of 50. However, the longer a company is in the market, the more people they employ. Of the about 350 companies surveyed, 9% of companies, employ 70% of staff.
50% of 347 surveyed companies are active in research. The investments into research related to revenues were 9.4% in 2007. Compared to the overall industry which spent only 2% of overall revenues on research and development this is considerable higher.
9%
14%
Less than 50 employees
In total Austrian life-science companies spent 813 million euro on research and development. 35% companies shouldered 70% of total research spending. The biotech sector alone spent 608 million euro on research. That equals to 75% of total research spending of Austrian lifescience companies.
50 to 249 employees
8% 18%
250 and more employees
Biotech Mediech, Pharma,
77%
74%
Source: Statistics Austria
Almost 44% of surveyed companies were set up before 1999. Most pharma-companies were set-up before 1999. Also medtech companies are fairly well established on the Austrian market. Around 80% of them were set-up before 2005. Most of Austria’s Biotech companies on the other hand were set up in the last 10 years.
Life Science Biotech Medtech Pharma
<1999 43,6% 22,7% 47,8% 68,5%
1999 -2004 37,2% 53,1% 33,0% 20,2%
> 2004 19,1 % 24,1% 19,1% 11,2%
Source: company lists
Source: Statistics Austria
In total around 6000 people work in R&D. Of these are 2500 or 42% women.
42% Male Female 58%
Founding activities were very strong in 2003 and 2004. Source: Statistics Austria
Financing of Research Spending
Development of Revenues
Austrian life-science companies are financing their research mainly via their own holding companies. 60% are stemming from local holding companies. Around 20% are from holding companies from abroad.
The development of revenues in Austrian companies is in general positive. Almost 50% of companies have increased their revenues from 2007 to 2008. Only 10% of companies decreased their revenues whereas 32% remained the same. 2%
5%
18%
Local holding companies
9% Holding companies abroad
9%
Public funding
47%
59% Other financing from abroad
18%
33%
tax breaks (research premium)
Source: Statistics Austria
k.a.
Gestiegen
Gleich geblieben
Gesunken
Revenues
Source: Wellacher Consulting
In 2007 the surveyed companies made a total revenue of 8.7 billion euro. The medtech-sector was strongest with 36% of total revenue, followed by the biotech and pharma sectors 33% and 31% respectively. Gross investments were amounting to 590 million euro in 2007.
Methodology
33%
36%
Biotech Pharma Medtech
31%
The figures in this Factsheet are taken from two different sources. One survey was conducted by Statistics Austria. The second one by a private consultancy – Wellacher consulting. Both organisations were supplied with aws company lists. The lists contained only R&D and production companies. No service companies were considered. Statistics Austria accumulated financial information for 347 life-science companies. The other contractor surveyed a representative sample of 128 life-science companies. Statistics Austria used 2007 figures, whereas Wellacher has conducted its survey from September to October 2009.
Life Science Austria Source: Statistics Austria
Life Science Austria, LISA is acting as a hub for people from all over the world who are interested in the life sciences in Austria. Together with its associates in the Austrian regions, Clusterland Upper Austria (Health Technology Cluster), ecoplus/Technopols Lower Austria, Human Technology Styria, LISA Vienna Region and the Tyrolean Future Foundation. LISA is the first point of contact in Austria for anyone with questions about scientific collaboration, setting up an operation, or funding and sponsoring projects and businesses here.
Contact Life Science Austria Telefon +43 1 501 75 - 510 Fax +43 1 501 75 - 908 E-Mail s.polan@awsg.at Website lifescienceaustria.at