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Zahra Champion

BIOTechNZ 2019 a year of opportunity and growth

Kia Ora,

What a great start to 2019 for the biotech community.

Firstly I want to personally congratulate two of our outstanding women,  Distinguished Professor Margaret Brimble, CNZM, was made a Dame in this year’s New Year Honours for services to science, and Dr Siouxsie Wiles, of Auckland, will be a Member of the said Order, for services to microbiology and science communication.

BIOTechNZ  is currently focusing on these areas of work in the first half of the year, content for BIO 2019, a Market Insights Report and our Annual Conference.

BIO 2019 3-6 June Philadelphia

Key benefits of attending the BIO International Convention include, access to global biotech and pharma leaders via BIO’s one-to-one partnering, exposure to industry thought-leaders, and unparalleled networking opportunities with 16,000+ attendees from 67 countries.

BIOTechNZ invites you to join the New Zealand delegation to this, the most significant biotech event in the world.  Contact Kimberlee Jordan if you are interested in exhibiting at the New Zealand Pavilion and leverage the strength of the New Zealand brand.

For all non members this is a great opportunity to join BIOTechNZ as we have organised discounts for the Convention Access and Partnering passes.

Market Insights Report

The last data collected on the New Zealand biotechnology sector was in 2011. BIOTechNZ is planning to conduct a Market Insights Report in 2019 and we are looking for partners to support this piece of work. It important that all players in the industry work together to highlight the areas of expertise and growth opportunities to the New Zealand Government. Please contact me if you are interested in supporting this essential resource.

The New Zealand Biotechnology Event of the Year

Planning for the BIOTechNZ Annual Conference is going well, dates will be confirmed shortly. The Annual Conference will bring together our passionate community underpinned by science and technology, to investigate some of the world’s agricultural, environmental and health issues.

BIOTechNZ Annual Conference exhibition and partnership opportunities

BIOTechNZ will host an exhibition area, which is an effective way to bring together like-minded people of our industry. All refreshments and hosting at the conference will be held around exhibitors to give them, and attendees additional networking opportunities. Contact Nick Elias for further information.

Finally, read about the opportunities for New Zealand following the launch of Innovature by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).

Kind regards,
Zahra Champion
Executive Director



News and Events

Have your say on new rules for medicines and medical devices for therapeutic products announced by the Minister of Health, Hon Dr David Clark . Contribute to the Therapeutic Products Bill consultation open until 18 April.

Ensure you are following us on the new BIOTechNZ linkedin page click here to check you are receiving our posts.

Join the New Zealand pavilion at BIO 2019, 3-6 June in Philadelphia, celebrating globally important innovations in biotech, contact Kimberlee Jordan for more information .Keep up to date with all relevant biotech events regularly updated on our event page.

The FSANZ Board Nominations close this Friday 8 February, to respond please email Bridget Rauch

Discover Innovature  a joint project between the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA),highlighting progress in agriculture, food and wellness.

The Biological Sciences Department, University of Auckland has top academic students from the Bioscience Enterprise Programlooking for Summer internships. For more information contact Mia Jullig.

Master Thesis Company partnerships are also required.


Apply for assistance with your R&D activities Callaghan Innovation offers student grants to help access New Zealand undergraduate and postgraduate students who can assist in R&D projects. Funding is also available.

Learn what interns value from Janette Dixon’s recent involvement in the University of Auckland’s intern program for MBioEnt students.


Attend the upcoming event at the Tech Futures LabCareTech NZ: AI & AR/VR for Healthcare, 21 February in Auckland.

Register for the TechMarketers 2019 Conference on 28 February in Auckland, or forward to your Marketing colleagues. Email now to get your NZ Tech community discount code. 

Create connections in the AI and FinTech ecosystems. Join us on 14 February in Wellington, 21 February in Auckland and 27 February in Christchurch. Tech Alliance members receive two tickets for the price of one for Wellington and Christchurch. Use promo code: TA2FOR25


Register for the 2019 Sprout Accelerator.  Learn what’s involved, eligibility, how it works and other FAQs.  The Flux Accelerator is also currently accepting applications.  

Attend the CReaTE Research Group3D Printing in Medicine Summer Course, 11–14 February  in Christchurch.


Visit the website of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor to stay up to date on their  work and celebration of science in New Zealand.

Don’t shy away from the limelight, enter the 2019 Hi-Tech Awards. Entries close 4 March and  finalists will be announced on 27 March


Save the date for these upcoming events  AI-Day on 28 March, Techweek 20-26 May and the Hi-Tech Awards Gala Dinner, 24 May in Auckland.

Register your internship listing with Summer of Tech now.

Attend eResearch NZ 2019 18-20 February, running for ten years, this year’s theme is People. Powered. Research.

Register for evokeAG , 19-20 February in Melbourne. Conversations include AgData, AI, food provenance, new value chains and more.


Attend Women Aren’t Broken, The Tech Industry Is, 11 February, Auckland. Covering  the skills gap in the tech industry, why women don’t want to work in tech and how to make the industry more attractive to women.

Register to attend the Future Government Summit, 26-27 February. The summit examines how we can enable an entrepreneurial government and create a roadmap for the future.

Zahra Champion Zahra is Executive Director of BIOTechNZ and is working to bring together a national community of biotech innovators, investors, researchers, educators and policy makers; and connecting this community to global biotech ecosystems.