Overview

The biotech industry in Mauritius is young but growing.  Since 2014, several companies have operated at a dedicated “BioPark” with modern infrastructure for biotechnology research and development.  Governmental organizations, such as the Mauritius Research Council, the Center for Biomedical & Biomaterials Research, and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, support the budding biotechnology industry through their research.  There are currently 18 companies in the biotech sector (excluding medical devices and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals).  These companies are involved in different types of activities, such as clinical trials, breeding of primates for export, production of fish oil, and manufacture of biofuels.  The table below, updated as of 2022, provides further details on the industry in Mauritius:

Source: Economic Development Board

Leading Sub-Sectors

Leading sub-sectors include:

• Pre-clinical and clinical trials
• Breeding for pre-clinical trials
• Stem cell therapy
• Phytotherapy research and development
• Agro-industry applications
• Nutraceuticals
• Marine biotechnology

Opportunities

The Mauritian government has indicated a commitment to develop the biotech industry.  The new Industrial Property Act, available at https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/20472, was enacted in August 2019 to consolidate different elements of industrial property (patents, utility models, layout-designs of integrated circuits, breeder’s rights, industrial designs, marks, trade names, and geographical indications.  The 2019 act also makes provision for Mauritius to adhere to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) administered treaties, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for the international registration of patents, the Hague Agreement for the international registration of industrial designs, and the Madrid Protocol to facilitate the registration of trademarks.

In the last two budgets, the government announced a series of incentives to promote biotechnology, and eligible companies can now apply to the Economic Development Board (EDB) for an investment or a premium investment certificate.  The EDB then issues investment certificates to biotechnology companies with investments of less than $12 million, and premium investment certificates to companies with investments greater than $12 million with the finance minister’s approval.  Both certificates include the following incentives:  (i) eight-year tax holiday for new companies; (ii) exemption from registration duty and land transfer tax payments for the purchase of immovable property for business purposes for new companies; (iii) zero-rated VAT for provision of healthcare, nursing, and residential care services; (iv) VAT exemptions on plant, machinery, equipment and construction of purpose-built building, plant, and equipment (excluding vehicles) for research and development; and, (v) 5 percent tax credit over three years for capital expenditures incurred on new plant and machinery (for manufacturing companies only) until June 30, 2023. 

The 2021 budget also designated $25 million to set up the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) to produce COVID-19 vaccines and other pharmaceutical products.  The government created the MIB in February 2022 and secured a free-of-charge technical assistance facility from the European Union (EU) to prepare the MIB’s strategy for the development of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.  This technical assistance facility has the following goals:  (i) conduct a market analysis to recommend the development of bio-pharmaceutical products, identify investors and export destinations; (ii) review of the legislative and regulatory framework to identify and address legislative gaps, including intellectual property issues; (iii) conduct a capacity and skills gap to promote employment; and, (iv) advise on the governance and institutional structure required to oversee the proper functioning of the sector, including an appropriate joint public and private investment framework.  The 2022 budget announced the broadening of the MIB’s mandate to develop new medical devices and technology-based applications for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, and to promote research and development centers for testing.

The 2022 budget announced additional measures to promote investment in the biotechnology sector.  These measures include:  (i) reviewing the existing framework for licensing and setting up laboratories, including those involved with stem cells, genetic testing, and specialized molecular testing; (ii) proclamation of the relevant sections of the Human Tissue (Removal, Preservation and Transplant) Act to provide the legal framework for organ donation; (iii) revamping of the Clinical Trials Act to align with international standards to expand the range and broaden the scope of activities for clinical trials; (iv) developing a legal framework for clinical trials for medical devices; (v) developing a framework to set up healthcare university spin-offs to promote research and development of new healthcare products; and, (vi) developing a legal framework for clinical trials for medical devices.

 There are opportunities for:

• U.S. companies to export lab supplies and biotechnology equipment
• Setting up pre-clinical and clinical trial labs
• Research and development in plant-based and marine-based pharmaceutical
• Research and development for agro-industry applications and nutraceuticals