Journal of Biotechnology, 30 (1993) 379-380 379 © 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved 0168-1656/93/$06.00

BIOTEC 00917

Book Review

Biotechnology in Japan. A comprehensive Guide Rolf D. Schmid. Springer, Berlin, 1991. 769 pp., ISBN 3-540-53554-3.

Dr. Rolf D. Schmid, Professor of Enzyme Technology at the Technical Univer- sity of Braunsweig and also Director of Enzyme Technology at GBF, both in Germany, is an expert on Japanese biotechnology and bioindustry. He has brought this expertise to bear on the development of a comprehensive collection of information (or handbook) on Japanese institutions which are significantly involved in biotechnology. This unique collection of names of companies, ministries, re- search institutes and universities, along with biotechnology-related research policy and programs, also includes information on finance, patents, recombinant DNA technology guidelines and depositories for microorganisms and cell lines. Typical information on organizations includes phone numbers and mailing addresses and key people and technical projects.

This unique book, therefore, provides a comprehensive overview of Japanese research and product development, which should prove useful to technical people throughout the world interested in easily obtaining a vast body of knowledge about Japanese biotechnology. The author is to be commended for assembling such a useful encompassing guide (which even includes photographs of the laboratories in many cases), ranging from bioresearch to biomarketing.

A few specifics regarding this comprehensive book are now noted. This book will certainly be useful for U.S. companies in guiding them in the transfer of biotechnology from Japan. Both industrial and academic sectors are treated extensively and funding (especially through Japanese governmental incentives, which are vastly different from the U.S.) are clearly described.

A few suggestions for improving the book for future editions are now enumer- ated: (1) It would be useful in future edition(s) to list under the 'Bio R & D facilities' foreign operating subsidiaries, especially those in the U.S. (e.g., Wako Chemicals), Europe and East Asia. A good start in this direction is noted with the references to Ciba-Geigy and Daiichi Seiyku Co. joint venture with Connaught Laboratories as well as a few others. (2) Under the 'Bio-Investment' category strategic alliances in foreign companies could be greatly enhanced (e.g. Japanese investments in foreign companies, partic- ularly those in the U.S.). Information useful for filling this gap is found in the

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following three references: (a) Genetic Engineering News, Vol. 12(14), September, 1992, page 8, lists about 40 major alliances in the pharmaceutical industry. Some entries date back to 1982 agreements. It appears (from the same reference) that the issue of biotechnology transfer is mostly one-way (Japanese investments in the U.S., mostly through Japanese acquisitions of U.S. technology). The article also lists relevant statistics of other biotechnology investments (the maximum Japanese investment in biotechnology in the U.S. is 10.1% of the U.S. market in plant agriculture). (b) The second article in the same issue of Genetic Engineering News (pages 10 and 11) lists examples of the reciprocal case: U.S. investments in Japanese Biotech companies. (c) The prevailing pattern of transfer to Japan of U.S. biotechnology is of concern of the third article (pages 12 and 23 of the same Genetic Engineering News issue).

Overall recommendation: This special book has much to offer and we highly recommend it for those in any biotechnology sector, and certainly for anyone having direct relationships with the Japanese.

Ales Prokop and Robert D. Tanner Chemical Engineering Department

Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 37235, USA