MANILA, PhilippinesThe global agricultural biotechnology market hit $27.8 billion as of the end of 2014, sustaining a projected compound annual growth rate of 11 percent. This was disclosed in a report released by international market research organization BCC Research. The report also projected that the the global market for agricultural biotechnology could hit $46.8 billion by 2019. North America and South America are the leading geographic markets for agricultural biotechnology products, the BCC Research report said. South America and Asia are projected to post high growth rates in their markets due to favorable regulatory climate and new transgenic crops, the report added. Biotechnology tools, including DNA sequencing, biochips, RNA interference, synthetic biology and genome editing tools comprise a small but high growth segment of the industry, the report said. The said tools, it explained, enable the development of better plant breeding programs, as well as novel plant traits, thus enhancing downstream agricultural markets. The market growth for biotechnology tools is aided by the ongoing revolution in genomics, which is rapidly changing how plant breeding is done and is accelerating the discovery and implementation of new plant traits, BCC Research pointed out. In the Philippines, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for … Continue reading →

Biotechnology was one of the market's shining stars in 2014. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index ETF returned an impressive 33% last year, significantly outpacing the performance of the S&P 500. Of course, no one can know if biotechnology stocks will put up similar returns again, or what will or won't happen with any particular company in this highly volatile industry, but if 2014 is any indication, perhaps these five predictions may be worth watching in 2015. Source: Celgene Corp. No. 1. Celgene Corporation will buy somebody I don't have any idea which company Celgene could buy in 2015, but the company's getting flush with cash, and it's been kicking a lot of tires over the past two years. The company has inked collaboration deals with a host of promising emerging biotechs, including Bluebird bio , but it's also taken equity stakes in a number of them, too, including Agios , in which it owns a 14% equity stake, Acceleron , in which it also owns a 14% stake, and Epizyme , in which it owns an 11% position. I don't know if any of those are on Celgene's short list of potential acquisitions, but it wouldn't shock me if Celgene ends … Continue reading →

You might want to invest in biotechnology, but be careful. Its not an easy industry to master, and while some companies eventually skyrocket, many others flameout. One simple way to invest in biotech is the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (Nasdaq: IBB), which is a fund of roughly 150 stocks that has grown by an annual average of almost 15 percent over the pastdecade. If youre willing to take on more risk for a chance at a bigger reward, consider Celgene (Nasdaq: CELG), which sells the pancreatic cancer drug Abraxane. Many balk at its steep price, but You have viewed 20 free articles or blogs allowed within a 30-day period. FREE registration is now required for uninterrupted access. S-R Media, The Spokesman-Review and Spokesman.com are happy to assist you. Contact Customer Service by email or call 800-338-8801 File photo Biotechnology is not an easy industry tomaster. (Full-size photo) You might want to invest in biotechnology, but be careful. Its not an easy industry to master, and while some companies eventually skyrocket, many others flameout. One simple way to invest in biotech is the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (Nasdaq: IBB), which is a fund of roughly 150 stocks that has grown by … Continue reading →