The emergence of the nanobiotechnology industry

Abstract: The confluence of nanotechnology and biotechnology provides significant commercial opportunities. By identifying, classifying and tracking firms with capabilities in both biotechnology and nanotechnology over time, we analyze the emergence and evolution of the global nanobiotechnology industry. Research in nanotechnology has expanded rapidly in the last 15 years, but the development of commercial products has been significantly slower1-3. One of the most promising areas for commercialization is the application of nanotechnology to biological processes4-6. This is due, in part, to the fact that it involves the confluence of two previously disparate research fields – nanotechnology and biotechnology – and novel combinations of ideas and approaches are known to increase the opportunities for innovation7,8. The rate of increase in nanobiotechnology invention is well documented9,10. However, little is known about the commercialization of these inventions and the entry of firms into the field. For example, what types of companies have both biotechnology and nanotechnology capabilities, when and where did they develop them, and what applications are they targeting? And are these companies actually integrating nanotechnology with biotechnology? Here we explore th