The impact of coronavirus will be far reaching, from increasing reports of the number of infections to the world’s biggest companies painting a bleak picture of broken supply chains, disrupted manufacturing, empty stores and flagging demand for their wares.
It is now down to the scientists and drug companies to accelerate development with testing of treatments and vaccines that address COVID-19. Work on both is progressing at an unprecedented speed — but researchers are starting essentially from scratch on vaccine development, so the process is going to take a long time. Treatments, on the other hand, were further along when the outbreak started and might be available sooner.
The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) and the Ministry of Health last week announced a $3 million rapid research response fund, aimed at supporting a range of research projects that address New Zealand’s evidence needs in relation to COVID-19, while also contributing to global COVID-19 efforts. Find out more information here.
If you are concerned about the impacts of coronavirus on your business, stay up-to-date with information from the NZ Government here.
BioTechNZ Market Insights Report Survey
We have had a fantastic response so far to the survey for the BioTechNZ Market Insights Report. It is really important that all New Zealand biotech companies complete the survey to give us a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem. If you haven’t yet filled in the survey, please do so here.
MedCan Summit 2020
MedCan Summit 2020 is less than two weeks away, with 30 world-leading subjects experts coming in from all around the world, as well as a number of highly talented Kiwis closely associated with medicinal cannabis to present at MedCan.
BioTechNZ members should attend this landmark event to fully understand the opportunities for New Zealand companies. MedCan 2020 will bring together healthcare professionals, academics, researchers, government officials, business, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators, growers, and patients for a new frontier of care.
If you haven’t got your ticket yet, register now as the event is nearly sold out!
BioTechNZ Networking Event, Wellington
Join us for our second networking event of 2020 at 4:45pm on Thursday 2 April at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in Wellington. Mali Camberis, Research Manager of the allergic and parasitic diseases programme at Malaghan Institute, will talk about the use of human hookworm as a future vehicle for drug delivery, and prove they are not just nasty critters.
This event is free for BioTechNZ members, $23 for Tech Alliance members and non-members are able to attend for $46.
Member Profile
Marken provides complete clinical trial logistics solutions to the Life Sciences Industry. They maintain the leading position for Direct to Patient services and biological sample shipments and offers a state-of-the-art global GMP-compliant depot network and logistic hubs in 54 locations worldwide for clinical trial material storage and distribution. Marken’s more than 1,100+ staff members manage 85,000 drug and biological shipments every month at all temperature ranges in more than 200 countries. Additional services such as biological kit production, ancillary material sourcing, storage and distribution, shipment lane verification and qualifications, as well as GDP, regulatory and compliance consultancy add to Marken’s unique position in the pharma and logistics industry.
News and Events
BIO 2020: If you haven’t yet registered your interest in being part of the New Zealand delegation to BIO2020 (8-11 June in San Diego), please do so here so you will be kept in the loop with all of the plans.
What does the new Medicinal Cannabis Scheme regulations mean for New Zealand? MedCan Summit will take a deep dive into this topic, but in the meantime, read insights from Paul Manning, Chief Executive of Helius Therapeutics, the country’s largest medicinal cannabis company.
Simon Bridges has said that he sees “a very clear role for biotechnology” to wrestle down carbon emissions.
Attend the 2020 Natural Health Products NZ Summit on 25-27 March in Marlborough.
Learn more about the agritech Industry Transformation Plan at free workshops on 9 March in Hamilton and 10 March in Lincoln.
AusMedtech 2020 is happening 20-21 May in Melbourne.
Attend Future Government 2020 on 25 March in Wellington for a discussion on serving New Zealand through a digital public service.
The first of the Techweek2020 events have been announced! Check them out here, and submit your own event now.
Interested in Digital Identity? Attend the Digital Identity NZ Local Showcase in Auckland on 10 March.
Save the date for the Festival of the Future, 24-26 July in Wellington.
