In a bid to
bolster New Zealand’s biotechnology and life sciences reputation, BioTechNZ,
WellingtonNZ, and Business Events Wellington have launched a dedicated annual
summit.
The first
Life Sciences Summit will take place 22-23 March 2023 at Shed 6, a waterfront
venue. From 2024 onwards, the conference will be based at Wellington’s new
convention centre, Tākina, with the aim of growing the event year on year to
attract wider domestic and international audiences.
“Our
objective is to bring New Zealand’s biotechnology and Life Sciences industries
together across the sectors, including agricultural, environmental, industrial
and human health,” said BioTechNZ executive director Zahra Champion.
“Having
this breadth of participants highlights New Zealand’s capability, and promotes
research and commercial opportunities to solve the biggest challenges on the
planet.”
New Zealand
currently ranks fourth in the world for innovation potential in biotech with
211 companies based in the country.
WellingtonNZ
business & innovation general manager, Rebekah Campbell added: “Biotech is
an increasingly important industry in New Zealand for addressing our pressing
environmental health, climate, and food challenges.
“To date,
there hasn’t been an event that draws together business, academia, government,
and investors across this sector in Aotearoa. The innovation and commercial
potential for this sector is immense, and this event will serve as a platform
for growth.”
Wellington’s
the home of Callaghan Innovation’s Gracefield Innovation Quarter, which has
been earmarked for a new Biotech Hub; The Malaghan Institute of Medical
Research, New Zealand's independent biomedical research institute; and some of
New Zealand’s best Life Sciences research centres, including Scion, NIWA,
AgResearch, GNS, HortResearch and Victoria University, making it a fitting host
for the Life Sciences Summit.
“Supporting
an event like this meets our objective of retaining and growing conferences and
business events in sectors that leave a positive impact for the Wellington
region,” Business Events Wellington manager Irette Ferreira said.
“It builds
upon our existing life sciences knowledge infrastructure and utilises the
city’s networks and proximity to government to showcase our strengths and drive
positive change – economically, socially, and environmentally.”
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
