KiwiNet News 15 March 2013

Biosciences conference encourages partnering as industry looks to Asia

Hamilton, New Zealand, 15 March 2013

The future of the biosciences industry is the focus of NZBIO's annual conference in Auckland next week. Close to 300 delegates are set to attend 'Asia Pacific Biosciences: coming of age' March 18-20 to look at the possibilities for the industry to take a leadership position in the world. Opportunities for the industry in Asia will be a key theme and business partnering is encouraged.

Dr George Slim the Chief Executive of NZBIO says, "2013 marks the 10th anniversary of NZBIO. We will celebrate this Coming of Age, by reflecting on the accomplishments of the past 10 years, and looking at the next 10 years and anticipating their challenges."

The conference covers a broad range of industry sectors from agbiotech to pharma, from biologics to therapeutics, and from biofuel to nanofibers.

Dr Slim says making contacts and finding future partners is also an important part of the conference. "The trend internationally at bioscience events is to create structured opportunities to allow delegates to access a wider range of contacts. We've made it easy for people to meet the contacts they want to rather than leave it to serendipity."

One-on-one Business Partnering is a key part of the 2013 Annual NZBIO Conference. This activity, sponsored by the Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet), is designed to facilitate interaction amongst delegates and with speakers.

Dr Bram Smith, the General Manager of KiwiNet, congratulated NZBIO on its 10 year milestone and emphasised the pivotal role NZBIO plays in fostering collaboration in New Zealand's biosciences sector. "We're delighted to be part of sponsoring this event. Innovation is driven by smart people with good connections. The Business Partnering sessions bring scientists and businesses together to share ideas and identify exciting new opportunities for innovation and growth in this sector."

The Kiwi Innovation Network Ltd (KiwiNet) (www.kiwinet.org.nz) is a consortium of New Zealand research organisations who are dedicated to creating growth for our country by working together and sharing our expertise, networks and resources to successfully commercialise our innovations. KiwiNet partners include: Plant and Food Research, AgResearch, Landcare Research, Callaghan Innovation, Otago Innovation, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, Viclink, WaikatoLink and AUT Enterprises. The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Support is the principal supporter of KiwiNet.

For more on the NZBIO conference see http://nzbio2013.co.nz

For further information please contact:

Sandra Lukey
Shine Group
Phone: (03) 374 6753; Cell: +64 21 2262 858
Email: sandra@shinegroup.co.nz