There is no question, 2020 has been a tough and interesting year for everyone. However, despite the challenges, this did not stop the BioTech team; we worked hard and were hugely productive during the lockdown periods. This hard work has paid off, and I now have the pleasure of showcasing these successes to you all over the coming month.
With the BioTechNZ membership almost doubling over the past couple of years, we have seen a huge step up in engagement and enthusiasm of our members which has enabled us to create the very first biotech ecosystem map for New Zealand.
This work on the biotech ecosystem, has supported the research behind our new report, ‘AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND BOOSTED BY BIOTECH – Innovating for a Sustainable Future’. This is a comprehensive study into the current state and future opportunities for biotechnology.
With the growing global demand for biotech by 2025 predicted to be worth USD729B. Biotechnology underpins New Zealand $49.4b bioeconomy (Sapere Research Group, 2020), with New Zealand in a great position to activate this sector as in 2016 New Zealand was ranked 4th out of 54 countries in the Scientific American Worldview Scorecard for Innovation Potential in Biotechnology. This report highlights the importance of biotechnology and how it can contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth and diversification as well as its ability to help make New Zealand cleaner, healthier and more prosperous.
This report will be released later in the month, but I would like to take the opportunity now to thank the following organisations as this could not have happened without their support. A big thanks goes to: Ministry for Primary Industry, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, ABBVIE, Callaghan Innovation and NZTechAlliance.
BioTechNZ with Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology (IIB)
and Pharmaceutical Solutions Networking Event:
‘COVID-19 Vaccine Development in New Zealand’
Please join us for a networking opportunity and listen to Frances Priddy MD MPH FACP, Clinical Director at Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (VAANZ). Frances is an experienced physician leader in clinical development strategy and infectious diseases (with specific expertise in vaccines, biologics and gene therapy for developing markets).
Frances is passionate about addressing the most critical global health needs through scientific innovation, clinical research and collaboration. And as the Clinical Director of Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, a key focus of her role is to ensure early and ongoing access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Frances will speak about her role in NZ and her career journey which has brought her to where she is today.
Date: Wednesday 25 November 2020
Time: 4:30pm- 7:30pm (start presentations at 5:00pm)
Venue: University of Auckland, room to TBD
Cost: Free to attend, please register here
Thank you Pharmaceutical Solutions for your support of this event.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Information for those BiotechNZ members who knew Bob.
The Memorial Service for
Professor Sir Robert Elliott, FRACP, MD, KNZM
Will be held on Friday 13 November 2020 at 2 pm
At Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland.
Stay safe
Zahra Champion
Executive Director
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