Public Health Biotechnology

Biotechnology-derived Health Products

Therapeutic agents

  • recombinant blood products
  • cytokines
  • monoclonal antibodies
  • interferons
  • insulins
  • tissue engineered products such as bone grafts, heart valves, xenografts, and collagen
  • agents used in gene therapies
  • molecular farming products

Diagnostic and preventative agents

Drugs and medical devices derived from biotechnology such as:

  • diagnostic test kits
  • viral, bacterial and rickettsial vaccines
  • radiolabelled biotherapeutics used for diagnosis and imaging

Environmental products

  • bioremediation, the use of bacteria to clean up environmental contaminants, such as oil spills
  • biomass conversion, such as converting plant waste to ethanol for use as biofuels
  • biological enzymes, such as those used by the pulp and paper industry
  • biological drain cleaners and grease trap cleaners

Bio-based pest control products

  • biological herbicides
  • insecticides
  • fungicides