Gene tech, tools and innovation | June 2024 News

In this issue

Insights from our Executive Director
Events
Submissions
Member news

Insights from our Executive Director

It has been another busy month for biotech. More than 35 Kiwis travelled to the BIO International Convention in San Diego. The Convention hosted over 20,000 attendees and 1200 exhibitors. There was plenty of networking, biopartnering and I estimated approximately 22,000 steps per day by
everyone who attended. This was a pivotal trip for BioTechNZ to gain traction, showcase New Zealand and show we’re open for business. Jeremy Clarke-Watson, Consul-General to Los Angeles at New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Paul Burnaby, US Investment Director, Greenfield Ventures, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Anthony Mosse, Honorary Consul, MFAT, San Francisco attended our New Zealand Touchdown event hosted by Brandon Capital. This event was fantastic for them to understand New Zealand biotech capability.

After arriving home, I headed to Fieldays for the launch of the 2024 KPMG Agribusiness Agenda. Biotechnology was in the top 10 priorities, but the report notes that the roundtable groups did not reach a consensus on the next steps.

We need to start considering biotechnology as a regulated, yet disruptive technology that can be a powerful tool in various applications. Even though we may have access to this tool in the future, it doesn’t mean we need to use it in every process or product. However key situations where biotechnology could be beneficial to agriculture includes:

Acting as a feedstock for GMO fermentation processes.
Addressing immediate needs, such as reducing methane emissions from cows or reducing agricultural waste
Protecting products or industries at risk, like creating pest-resistant crop varieties or Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) resistant cattle.
Addressing animal welfare concerns, such as producing cattle without horns or improving cattle thermotolerance.
Meeting consumer demands for specific traits, preferences for firmer fruit, longer lasting, or more nutrient-dense products.

Ultimately, the decision to leverage biotechnology should be based on a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that considers consumer demand, economic viability, and regulatory compliance. While larger organisations may adopt biotechnology as a tool, it will likely be startups, especially in the synthetic biology sector, that drive disruptive innovations that could either complement or disrupt current businesses.

Events

Join us for the next Bioscience Enterprise Networking Event

Guest Speaker: Sean Simpson – LanzaTech founder

Beyond LanzaTech: Sean Simpson’s Vision for a Sustainable Aotearoa

Date: Friday 19 July

Time: 5:00 – 7:30 pm (Arrival from 4.45 pm for prompt start)
Location: SBS Reception Lounge, School of Biological Sciences, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland.
Event Type: Physical
Cost: Free

Submissions

BioTechNZ is collaborating with six other industry bodies on the Therapeutics Products Bill, and Hon. Casey Costello has responded with an encouraging letter, confirming they will engage early and often with industry groups.

For more information on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products, visit the Ministry of Health’s website, where you can also register for updates.

Member news

Congratulations to Brandon Capital who recently announced its Sixth Fund with A$270 million (US$180 million) Initial Close to Drive Life Science Innovation. This new fund will support the growth of Australian and New Zealand life sciences startups, invest in scale-ups, and expand Brandon Capital’s international presence, particularly in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States.
In other news, Cetogenix is tackling climate change on a global scale and has launched a new website and partnerships.