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Christmas is coming!
What’s left on your to-do list?
In this issue
- Insights from the Executive Director
- BioTechNZ news
- Events
Insights from the Executive Director
We’re on the final countdown to Christmas, just 18 days until 25 December, so what is left on your to-do-list?
This week, my focus is on hosting tomorrow’s event in Auckland, Celebrating 2022! We’re expecting over 80 people and it will be a great afternoon of festivities. If you are in Auckland and haven’t registered yet, there is still time.
I’m also focused on our inaugural Life Sciences Summit – Biotech for a better tomorrow. If you are interested in sponsoring please contact Nikki for further information. If you would like to attend and haven’t already registered, I encourage you to buy your ticket soon. Super Saver prices close on 20 December, plus there are special member prices too. If you are a BioTechNZ or NZTech member and planning to attend with your team, our group discount runs until March.
BioTechNZ news
The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan was launched on 30 November, based on four priority areas; creating the foundations for a transformed sector, growing for the future, modernising wood processing and developing sustainable markets.
Excitedly, I searched the document for ‘gene’ which resulted in 51 mentions, however this included, ‘generations, generosity, genealogy, generate, generally and genetics’. I was disappointed that gene editing tools for the future weren’t included. However, what does give me comfort is the 35 organisations, including Scion, who were educating visitors at Fieldays. The Fieldays Forestry Hub showed how the forestry sector and technologies can support farmers to use trees and fibre in new ways.
In other news, the Therapeutic Products Bill is intended to replace the Medicines Act 1981 and the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985. It will provide for the comprehensive, risk-proportionate regulation of therapeutic products, such as medicines, medical devices, natural health products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. It has been introduced to Parliament for its first reading.
Congratulations to one of our newest members Opo Bio for securing NZ$1.5 million in a seed capital round led by Matū Karihi, syndicated with The University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund, Booster Innovation Fund, and angel investors.
It’s also a busy time for Pictor, who have announced a funding round to help accelerate pipeline product development projects along with market development activities within Australia/New Zealand, the USA and Europe for its Human Health and Animal Health portfolios. The $5 million raise is to accelerate global market development and product development.
Congrats to another one of our members, Lincoln University’s ProfessorTravis Glare, who has been named as one of the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero medallists 2023, in recognition of his service in science and research.
From our Executive Council Chair, Manya Sabherwal, thank you for joining us at our recent event in Dunedin. View the photos here.
Thank you also to everyone who attended Bridgewest Ventures’, Impactful Innovation event and CropLife Australia for hosting me at their National Members Forum 2022 in Canberra last month.
Events
Last event of the year, Celebrating 2022! There’s plenty to celebrate in the biotech, medtech, pharmaceutical and digital health sectors! I look forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow’s event in Auckland.
Ngā mihi
Zahra Champion
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget to share your news and success stories with us and we can celebrate together!
