Media Release
19 May, 2009
US Healthcare Technology Company Selects Sydney as its Asia-Pacific Headquarters
Trade Minister Simon Crean today welcomed the decision by United States healthcare and technology company, Entra Health Systems to choose Sydney as its Asia-Pacific headquarters.
"California-based Entra Health Systems' MyGlucoHealth diabetic meters will be the world's first Bluetooth-enabled blood glucose meters available in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific," Mr Crean said.
The Sydney headquarters will manage all the operations including the roll out of the MyGlucoHealth diabetic meters across the Asia Pacific, act as the regional sales office, provide marketing assistance and act as the customer support centre.
"This decision will initially see the creation of about 50 jobs by January 2010 with the potential for further investment and jobs further down the track," Mr Crean said.
"Entra Health Systems' decision to select Sydney as its Asia Pacific headquarters reinforces Australia's strong global reputation within biotechnology and biomedical fields, where 75 per cent of multinational pharmaceutical companies in Australia are headquartered in New South Wales.
"Australia is the leading location of biotechnology companies in Asia Pacific. There are 471 biotechnology companies of which 49 per cent are involved in therapeutics, 15 per cent in agricultural biotechnology and 13 per cent in diagnostics.
"Australia is also ranked as the third most cost-effective location for clinical trials after the Netherlands and Canada," Mr Crean said.
In 2008, of the 255 biotech, diagnostics and medical devices alliances announced, 70 per cent were with overseas entities - of which 71 alliances were linked to North American organisations.
Entra Health Systems, wholly owned by UK-based Entra Heath Systems Limited, has also obtained final approval from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for their MyGlucoHealth meter which has also been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Austrade together with the NSW Department of State and Regional Development helped secure Entra Health Systems decision to select Sydney by streamlining the process of establishing a local presence.
"Recognising the increasing importance of two-way investment to improving Australia's trade performance, the Government is delivering on its election commitment to fully integrate the Government's international business services within a single agency, Austrade," Mr Crean said.
"The United States is one of Australia's major economic partners. In 2007-2008 two-way goods and services trade was worth $49.7 billion, and preliminary figures for the December 2008 quarter show
two-way investment levels at $835.1 billion."
Media Inquiries
- Mr Crean’s Office 02 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555