biotech
gb/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk/ us/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
the field or industry of biotechnology
The area of science and business that uses living things, like cells or bacteria, to make new products, especially in medicine and farming.
Usage pattern:
work in biotech
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "biotech" with "biology". "Biology" is the general science of living things, while "biotech" is about using biology to make products or technologies, often in business. Another mistake is using it as a verb (e.g., *to biotech something*), which is not standard; it is normally a noun.
Synonyms
biotechnology (Full, more formal word; often used in scientific and academic contexts rather than casual speech.)
|
life sciences (Broader term for biological sciences; overlaps with biotech but also includes areas not focused on technology or products.)
Antonyms
low-tech industry (Highlights industries that use simple or older technology, contrasting with the advanced, research-heavy nature of biotech.)
Collocations
biotech company
|biotech industry
|biotech startup
|biotech sector
|biotech firm
|biotech research
Themes
science
|technology
|business
|medicine
Examples
- She wants to build a career in biotech after finishing her degree in molecular biology.
- Investors have shown strong interest in biotech over the last decade.
- The government announced new funding to support the domestic biotech sector.
- Biotech has transformed how doctors treat cancer and genetic diseases.
- Many biotech breakthroughs start in small university labs.
Learner examples
- My brother works in biotech in Boston.
- Biotech is very important for new medicines.
- Many students study biotech because they want to help sick people.
- The biotech industry is growing fast in this country.
- Our city wants to attract more biotech companies.
Noun
C1
entity
2
a company in the biotech industry
A company whose main work is to use biotechnology to make new drugs, medical tools, or other products.
Usage pattern:
invest in [biotech]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that "a biotech" can refer to a company, not a person. For example, "Three biotechs presented today" usually means three companies, not three scientists. Another mistake is using a plural *bioteches* instead of the correct plural *biotechs*.
Synonyms
biotech company (An explicit version of the same idea; a little clearer in isolation than just saying "a biotech".)
|
biotech firm (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal or business-oriented than "biotech company".)
Antonyms
industrial company (A company focused on non-biological manufacturing, contrasting with firms whose core business is biotechnology.)
Collocations
small-cap biotechs
|early-stage biotechs
|publicly traded biotechs
|mid-cap biotechs
Themes
business
|finance
|medicine
|technology
|science
Examples
- Analysts expect several small biotechs to be acquired by big pharma this year.
- She prefers to invest in biotechs that already have products on the market.
- Many early-stage biotechs struggle with cash flow before their first drug is approved.
- The conference brings together biotechs, investors, and large pharmaceutical companies.
- Some biotechs focus on rare diseases that larger firms often ignore.
Learner examples
- He works at a biotech that makes cancer drugs.
- Many new biotechs need money from investors.
- The bank gave a loan to two local biotechs.
- Some biotechs are very small but grow quickly.
- That biotech became famous after its new vaccine.
Grammar
Dictionary form
biotech
IPA
GB/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk/
US/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk/
Syllables & stress
bi - otech (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: biotech
- Plural: bioteches
Word family
Expressions
biotech company
1/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk kˈʌmpəni/
fixed phrase
company working in biotechnology
A business that uses biotechnology to make new products, usually in health, farming, or the environment.
Examples
- The city is trying to attract at least one major biotech company to the new science park.
- She started a biotech company that develops treatments for rare genetic diseases.
- Many biotech companies rely on government grants for early research.
biotech firm
1/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk fˈɚm/
fixed phrase
business working in biotechnology
A company that does most of its work in biotechnology.
Examples
- Several biotech firms presented their new therapies at the conference.
- The small biotech firm signed a major deal with a global drug company.
- Many biotech firms partner with universities for early-stage research.
biotech industry
1/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
the overall biotech business sector
All the companies and organizations that work with biotechnology as a whole business area.
Examples
- The biotech industry has grown rapidly over the last twenty years.
- Many governments see the biotech industry as key to future economic growth.
- The report analyzes salary trends across the biotech industry.
biotech sector
1/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk sˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
biotech part of the economy
The part of the economy that includes biotech companies and related work.
Examples
- Stock prices in the biotech sector fell sharply today.
- The biotech sector is seen as higher risk but higher reward.
- Jobs in the biotech sector often require advanced scientific training.
biotech startup
1/bˈaɪoʊtˌɛk stˈɑɹtˌʌp/
fixed phrase
newly founded biotech company
A new company in the biotech field that is just beginning and usually still developing its first products.
Examples
- The biotech startup raised ten million dollars in its first round of funding.
- He joined a small biotech startup right after finishing his PhD.
- Many biotech startups begin as university research projects.