This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country.  

Overview
The biotech industry in Mauritius is young but growing.  Since 2014, five companies have operated at a dedicated BioPark with modern infrastructure for biotechnology research and development.  Governmental organizations such as the Mauritius Research Council, the Center for Biomedical & Biomaterials Research, and the Food and Agricultural Research & Extension Institute support the budding biotechnology industry through their research.  There are currently 20 companies employing about 800 people in the biotech sector (excluding medical devices and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals).  These companies are involved in different types of activities such as clinical trials, breeding of primates for export, production of fish oil and manufacture of biofuels.  The table below, updated as of 2018, provides further details on the industry in Mauritius:

 

Sub-Sector

Number of Companies

Company

Red Biotechnology (Medical)

Contract Research Organizations (Clinical Trials)

4

  • Insight Research

  • Centre International de Developpement Pharmaceutique (CIDP)

  • CAP Research

  • Centre D’Etude Clinique

Breeding for Contract Research

4

  • Biosphere

  • Les Tamariniers

  • Noveprim

  • Bioculture

Analytical Laboratories/Research Laboratories

4

  • Laboratoire International de Bio Analyse

  • Quantilab

  • Axonova

  • Simplissima

Blue Biotechnology (Marine)

Fish oil extraction & production and extraction of molecules from by-products for different applications

3

  • Marine Biotechnology Products

  • Bioseanergy

  • Green Create

Grey Biotechnology

Production of landfill gas for energy generation and conversion of organic waste into compost

2

  • Sotravic

  • Solid Waste Recycling

White Biotechnology (Industrial)

Production of ethanol

1

  • Omnicane


Leading Sub-Sectors
Leading sub-sectors include:

  • Pre-clinical and clinical trials

  • Breeding for pre-clinical trials

  • Stem cell therapy

  • Phytotherapy research and development

  • Agro-industry applications

  • Marine biotechnolgy


Opportunities
The government has indicated a commitment to develop the biotech industry.  The GOM announced in 2016 that Mauritius will adhere to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Hague Convention, and the Madrid Protocol to facilitate registration of patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.  The Industrial Property Bill, which provides for Mauritius’ accession to the Madrid Protocol, was introduced in parliament in July 2019.  In the 2019–2020 budget speech, the government announced the following measures to promote biotechnology:  (i) introduction of a regulatory framework for the classification and registration of nutraceuticals; (ii) amendments to the Clinical Trials Act to provide for registration of Contract Research Organisations with the Clinical Research Regulatory Council and to allow for trials involving medical devices; and (iii) development of a regulatory framework aligned with EU and U.S. standards for stem cell research and therapy.

There are opportunities for:

  • U.S. companies to export lab supplies and biotechnology equipment

  • Setting up pre-clinical and clinical trial labs

  • Research and development in plant-based and marine-based pharmaceuticals

  • Research and development for agro-industry applications


Web Resources
Economic Development Board: https://www.edbmauritius.org/

Biotechnology Cluster Staff, Economic Development Board, 10th Floor, One Cathedral Square Building, 16, Jules Koenig Street, Port Louis 11328, Tel: + 230 203 3800, Fax: +230 210 8560

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.