The New Zealand Tech Alliance is a group of independent technology associations from across New Zealand that work together to ensure a strong voice for technology.
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Final countdown to the Life Sciences Summit!
In this issue
- Insights from our Executive Director
- Gene Technology Regulations: Next Steps
- Life Sciences Summit 2025
Insights from our Executive Director
Reflecting on our journey from 2017—when NZBIO faced financial challenges and joined the NZTech Group—to today is truly remarkable. Four years of rebuilding through networking and storytelling has transformed our biotech community.
The 2023 Life Sciences Summit marked a turning point, and three years later, we’ve significantly changed the narrative. Our advocacy for updated gene technology regulations has been heard, and I’m grateful to everyone who submitted feedback and presented to the select committee. What an incredible community we’ve built!
Gene Technology Regulations: Next Steps
While we’ve made progress, our work isn’t complete. Secondary legislation is coming out for consultation soon.
Upcoming Roundtable at the Life Sciences Summit: Bayer Crop Science will host a discussion on “Future-proofing innovation: harmonising global regulatory policies for plant breeding”—valuable context for the upcoming secondary legislation consultations and what is happening with global regulations.
Life Sciences Summit 2025
Summit Highlights
This year’s Summit will continue to push for what the sector needs. I see a lot of action projects coming out of this Summit.
- International Insights: Dr. Amanda Caples (Lead Scientist, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions) from Victoria, Australia, will share strategies for navigating challenging times while preparing for growth.
- Clinical Trials Focus: Clinical trials in Aotearoa are a vital part of the healthcare and research ecosystem, however, currently we have a number of challenges. BioTechNZ is driving an initiative, but we can’t do it alone, and the sector is coming together to create the scale and voice the sector needs. What is exciting is that we have been heard, and now BioTechNZ (and key members) are working closely with NZTE around BIOUSA 2025 and 2026.
Join our panel session “Putting Clinical Trials on Steroids” as we unite the sector to overcome challenges in Aotearoa’s clinical research ecosystem.
- Gene Technology Stewardship: There is a big piece of work the industry needs to drive around gene technology stewardship and key principles in managing the supply chain.
Don’t miss our session on the “Market Choice” framework for gene technology crops—a critical conversation for our industry.
- Technology Convergence: We are seeing more and more on the convergence of technology. Don’t miss these speakers:
Dr. Kate Rubins (joining live via Zoom)—the first person to sequence DNA in space.
Associate Professor Sarah Kessans—a NZ biochemist working in synthetic biology with aspirations for space-based research. She will be speaking at the Biotech innovation showcase closing the summit. More on the showcase below.
- The Biotech innovation showcase: Closing out the summit the following companies will deliver three-minute lightning talks sharing their stories of innovation; Dr Olivia Ogilvie – OpoBio, Jonathan Good – Scentian Bio, JR Robson – BioOra, Andy Clover – Kimer Med, and Dr Gabriel James – Solarferm. Please come and say hi to them in the ASX Start-up Zone too!
- Hand selected by BioTechNZ, also featured in the innovation showcase is: Dr Matthew Nicholson – Bontia Bio, Dr Janice Cheng – Hot Lime Labs, Dr Maddie White – Lab Mate, Dr Gavin Harris – Breast Path, Dr Ralph Highnam – Litmaps, Dr Justin Hodgkiss – Advemto and John Mead – Launching the NZ Bio Challenge 2025.
Touchdown Event Preview
Dr. Andrew Kelly will host “Wellington Parathetical: finding the science city in a parallel universe”. Yes, the second word is a made up word, but it riffs off “Wellington Paranormal” the comedy TV show. That is all I am going to say. We look forward to having some fun and meeting speakers and delegates from near and far! Limited tickets are still available for this event. Register here.
Final Countdown
If you’ve registered, I look forward to seeing you—please come say hello! If not, you have just three days left to secure your spot, cause you don’t want to miss the Touchdown Event or the Life Sciences Summit.
Remember to send us your good news so we can share with your fellow members.
Ngā mihi
Zahra Champion
Executive Director, BioTechNZ
Read full news here: Final countdown to the Life Sciences Summit!
