The Race to Commercialize Biotechnology Molecules, Market and the State in Japan and the US

This comparative study looks at the early development of biotechnology in the US and Japan. Drawing on primary and secondary sources it traces the historical roots of recombinant DNA technology, discusses the tensions between regulation and promotional policies and identifies the major actors and strategies that launched biotechnology in both countries. Developing several strands of theory in economic history, science and technology policy, the book proposes a simple model that relates the differences in the two countries' responses to variations in the availability of institutional, financial and organizational resources needed to commercialize the new technology.

Chapter 1: Introduction 1. The Approach 2. National Innovation Systems and Biotechnology 3. The Market for Biotechnology 4. Products 5. A Road Map 6. References Chapter 2: Firms, Technological Regimes, and National Innovation Systems 1. Introduction 2. The Firm as Innovator 3. Technological Regimes and Trajectories 4. Biotechnology and the National Innovation System 5. Putting it all Together 6. References Chapter 3: Biotechnology and National Innovation Systems in the US and Japan 1. Industry 2. Research Infrastructure 3. Public Policy 4. Conclusions 5. References Chapter 4: The Emergence of Commercial Biotechnology in the US 1. Introduction 2. Institutional Formation and Knowledge Creation 3. Knowledge Enhancement (1976-1983) 4. Commercial Take-Off (1983-1900s) 5. Conclusions 6. References Chapter 5: The Emergence of Commercial Biotechnology 1. Introduction 2. The Origins of Japan's Bioindustry 3. Biotechnology Fever hits Japan 4. From Bio-Boom to Bio-Reality: Alliances Strategies and the Shift from Basic Research (1985-Present) 5. Conclusions 6. Endnotes Chapter 6: Conclusions 1. Summary 2. Biotechnology in the US and Japan 3. Concluding Thoughts References

Steven W. Collins is Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program at the University of Washington.