Bio Economic Research Associates, or bio-era(TM), a leading independent research and advisory firm providing analysis on the future of the global bio economy, today announced the release of its two latest research reports entitled "Crop Biomanufacturing - Part I: The Economic Opportunity" and "Crop Biomanufacturing - Part II: Implications for the Farm Sector."

The two reports are the first in a five-part series examining the rapid emergence of genetically engineered crop plants as production platforms for pharmaceuticals and other industrial materials, and the far-reaching implications for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, food and agriculture sectors. Additional reports in the series will address biosecurity risk management, the asymmetries of risk and reward among stakeholders, and the global outlook for crop biomanufacturing.

The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and industrial enzymes utilizing biological hosts (biomanufacturing) is growing rapidly, with gross sales of all such biomanufactured products expected to grow from under $30 billion in 2001 to as much as $60 billion by 2010. The first report in this bio-era Landscape Report series analyzes the economic drivers behind the trend toward biomanufacturing utilizing crop plants, and assesses the potential for this form of manufacturing to become an enduring part of bio economic future. The report presents a detailed analysis of the proteins and enzymes currently being tested for possible production in crops, the relative attractiveness of various crop plants as biomanufacturing platforms, and which firms are actively developing the technology, and are likely to dominate in the crop plant biomanufacturing arena in coming years.

The second report in the series analyzes the economics of farm sector opportunities associated with crop-based biomanufacturing and concludes that contrary to much of the "hype" heard in the farm belt, for the foreseeable future the opportunities for U.S. farm sector participants are very limited. Over the next decade, total farm sector acreage requirements for biomanufacturing are expected to be under 25,000 acres, with the associated additional U.S. farm sector revenue peaking in that time period at under $70 million per year.

Both reports are available to enrolled members of the bio-era research and advisory network, through the company's web site at www.bio-era.net. Fee- based three-month trial memberships are available to approved applicants.

Bio Economic Research Associates, Cambridge, MA, is a leading provider of independent research and advisory services for key stakeholders in the bio economy. Its primary mission is to help decision-makers understand and respond to the risks and opportunities arising from the economic and societal impacts of human-induced changes to biological systems. Bio-era research and advisory services provide independent and authoritative research, access to the bio-era network of specialists, and opportunities for participation in interactive events, including scenarios workshops, learning journeys, and other events that bring together stakeholder groups with bio-era experts.