BioTechNZ and NZTech are launching New Zealand’s first Life Sciences Summit in a bid to grow the country’s biotech sector.
Wellington is the named host of the event in a multi-year contract between signatories BioTechNZ, WellingtonNZ, and Business Events Wellington. They will be supported by conference organiser Brightstar and Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team.
The first conference will take place from 22-23 March 2023 at Shed 6, a waterfront venue in the city. From 2024 onwards, the conference will be based at Wellington’s new convention centre, Tākina. This will be with the aim of growing the event year on year to attract wider domestic and international audiences.
BioTechNZ executive director Zahra Champion said: “Our objective is to bring New Zealand’s biotechnology and Life Sciences industries together across the sectors, including agricultural, environmental, industrial and human health. New Zealand ranks fourth in the world for innovation potential in biotech.”
Champion explained that whilst the sector is small, it is growing with 211 companies and NZD $2.7b (USD $1.67b) in revenue. According to BioTechNZ, biotechnology is expected to be worth NZD $1.1t (USD $6.8b) by 2025.
WellingtonNZ general manager of business and innovation, Rebekah Campbell, added: “Biotech is an increasingly important industry in New Zealand for addressing our pressing environmental health, climate, and food challenges.”
Wellington is 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 world-leading independent biomedical research institute; and more of New Zealand’s Life Sciences research centres.
The capital city also offers connection and collaboration opportunities with relevant government organisations, including the Ministry for Business, Innovation & Employment, The Ministry of Health, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry for Primary Industries, and other companies that support the sector.
“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 commented.
“It utilises the city’s networks and proximity to the government to showcase our strengths and drive positive change – economically, socially, and environmentally.”
