Asymmetric behaviour of biotechnology business patterns in Spain.

Since the end of the 90s there has been an increase in the emergence of biotechnology industries in Spain, partially as a result of growing support from institutionally based infrastructures. Through the use of empirical fieldwork, this study aims to reveal how future prospects are not as optimistic as most Spanish agents perceive. Our conclusions are based on the asymmetric behaviour shown by Spanish biotechnology firms in their business models. This asymmetry is based on the overwhelming dominance of business models centred on low investment, limited R&D expenditure and minor or incremental innovation, whereas the long term-long return model, which prevails in the leading countries in this field, is practically non-existent in the Spanish environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]