The import of biological research material is a silent barrier to biotechnology in the Global South

Abstract

Biotechnology research, patents and companies are heavily concentrated in high-income countries. Barriers to biotechnology adoption in the Global South are often described as large structural challenges, including regulatory quality, infrastructure gaps, limited investment, weak public–private linkages and underdeveloped entrepreneurial ecosystems. While these factors are critical, this Correspondence spotlights a more practical and often overlooked barrier: the persistent challenge of importing biological research materials at a reasonable cost, within acceptable timeframes, and with manageable regulatory complexity. We discuss how this basic hurdle stalls progress before research and innovation can even begin, and suggest actionable improvements that could help unlock biotechnological innovation in the Global South.