The biotechnology sector in Northern Ireland has grown by over a third in terms of jobs created, according to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Mr Paul Murphy.
The sector now employs over 4,000 people in 50 companies and contributes over £200 million sterling in revenue to the North's economy annually.
"Biotechnology is a priority for the Government, in the UK as a whole as well as in Northern Ireland," Mr Murphy said. "Currently we have almost twice as many new products in clinical trials as out nearest European competitors."
Mr Murphy was speaking at the start of "BioIreland 2004 — Stepping Stones to Success", a biotech conference being held at the University of Ulster's Coleraine campus this week.