A group discussion during GBDI West Africa training at
Ibadan, Nigeria
Dr. Philip Grubb, legal counsel, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland preparing his lecture with GBDI staff.
Some participants from France attending the GBDI West African francophone Training, Cotonou, Benin 20001
Module 1:
The Business of Biodiversity

In Module 1, the focus is on key areas that are important for understanding the commercial value of biodiversity.

The topics covered include:

  • An overview of markets for biological resources
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Agrochemicals
  • Industrial enzymes
  • Genetic resources
  • Fragrances, flavors
  • Phytomedicinals
  • The economics of natural product research
  • Market economy instruments and incentives to promote environment "habit' change and biodiversity conservation.
  • Case studies of Latin America
  • Strategic planning for bio-resource development
  • "What is the Life Science Industry?"
  • Types of companies involved in natural-products research and development
  • Which areas industry might be looking for collaborators
  • The Research and Development process
  • The discovery process
  • The development process
  • Costs associated with Research and Development
  • Details of technology platforms necessary for a country to be successful in bioprospecting
  • International and domestic mechanisms for fostering the business of biodiversity and its value, and
Specific institutions engaged in natural products programs around the world. These include CSIR (South Africa), NCI (Bethesda, MD, USA), Novartis and many more.