Updates
The Minister for Research, Science & Technology, the Hon. Dr Wayne Mapp visits the IIB
Dr Wayne Mapp briefed an audience of around 70 representatives from the bio-industry, local government and the University of Auckland, on the Government’s research, science and technology priorities. In reply, Dr Peter Lee, CEO of UniServices, highlighted the University’s success in commercialising academic research including the launch of several new start-up companies. Professor Joerg Kistler, Director of the School of Biological Sciences, gave a progress report on the growth of the IIB bio-incubator and on the construction of the Thomas Building extension which is rapidly moving skywards. The event was held in the Members Lounge of Old Government House providing plenty of networking over afternoon tea.
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise takes an office in the IIB
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand Government’s national economic development agency. NZTE works to improve the international competitiveness and sustained profitability of New Zealand business by providing access to people, knowledge and opportunities. In 2004 NZTE first supported the University of Auckland’s initiative to develop and run a pilot entrepreneurship course. The success of the pilot led the University to develop the Bioscience Enterprise programme, which NZTE continues to support. NZTE will use the IIB office to maintain and develop relationships within the University and companies co-located within the IIB.
InSyGen Therapeutics Ltd joins the IIB
Founded in 2008 by Mr Stephen Wallace and Professor Russell Snell, InSyGen Therapeutics Ltd is using comparative genomics to discover novel human drug targets and develop therapeutics with an initial focus on obesity and diabetes. Co-location in the IIB provides the company with access to a broad range of relevant technology and expertise.
Mayor of Auckland City turns first sod for construction of IIB bio-incubator
Auckland City Major John Banks launched construction of innovative new research space to enable expansion of the IIB bio-incubator in the University’s School of Biological Sciences. The new $30M building will seamlessly connect to the Thomas Building and expand research space to over 10,000m2. The new Laboratories will allow co-location of academic and industry scientists to accelerate R & D by sharing facilities and expertise. It is expected that up to 12 companies can be allocated space when the building opens in late 2010. Currently research teams of five companies are co-located in the existing Thomas Building. Read more about how the IIB bio-incubator supports the growth of New Zealand biotechnology sector.
Plant & Food Research launches summer studentship programme 2009/10
Plant & Food Research, formerly HortResearch, is offering up to 20 internships for the forthcoming summer period. This is the third year in a row that the CRI offers a wide variety of summer projects to let University students experience how commercially relevant R & D is undertaken in the industry. The annual summer studentship programme is seen as a cornerstone in the CRI’s partnership with the IIB and aims at increasing the number of students undertaking postgraduate studies in plant science.
Comvita Ltd co-locates science laboratory in the School of Biological Sciences
Natural healthcare company Comvita Ltd has established its science laboratory in the School of Biological Sciences. As a partner in the IIB, Comvita staff gain full access to the School’s research infrastructure and expertise. One of the priorities is to expand the understanding of the identity and bioavailability of bioactives in a range of Manuka honey based products. This research greatly benefits from direct access to the cutting-edge mass spectrometry facilities and expertise in the School
New building extension takes another step forward
Work on the expanded Thomas Building to house the IIB and School of Biological Sciences (SBS) has taken another step forward with the completion of demolition of the existing structures on the site.With construction scheduled to start in July, the expanded building is due for completion in late 2010 and will provide a 10,000m2 purpose-built research facility catering for up to 500 researchers and support personnel.
Welcoming the ongoing progress off the project, Professor Joerg Kistler, the Director of the IIB, said the new extension represents a significant commitment to building the success of biotechnology in New Zealand. “We look forward to creating even more opportunities for co-locators at the IIB to progress R&D in a unique research environment dedicated to biotech success and bio-incubation,” he said.
Joint appointment starts partnership with Synergenz BioScience Ltd
Dr Robert Young, Chief Scientific Officer at Synergenz BioScience Ltd, has been appointed to a part-time position of Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics. The appointment, which is endowed by the company, highlights Professor Young’s outstanding research achievements on the genetic aspects of lung diseases. Synergenz provides personal genetic risk information on smoking related diseases that can help individuals and their doctors act to improve and to protect patient health.
Partnership with HortResearch moves forward through joint appointments
Two HortResearch senior staff members have been appointed part-time as Associate Professors in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and the School of Biological Sciences. The appointments of Associate Professors Richard Newcomb (Evolutionary Genetics) and Dave Greenwood (Mass Spectrometry) highlight their longstanding track record of collaboration in teaching and research with the University. The Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology has so far made six joint appointments with the industry with the aim to facilitate public-private collaboration in research and graduate student supervision.
Highbury Pacific Ltd becomes a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology
Highbury Pacific Ltd is a specialist multinational consultancy with expertise in biotechnology including early stage valuations. Maximising the value of their clients innovations and products is Highbury's primary objective. They have a strong base of technology and pharmaceutical clients both small and large including Johnson and Johnson, Bausch and Lomb, Astra Zeneca, Imperial College London, Kings College London, Nesta and BioFusion plc. Highbury also provides IP and Technology Transfer training for its clients. As a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, the company joins other co-locating companies in the emerging bio-cluster on the University's city campus.
Highbury Pacific Ltd provides Entrepreneur-in-Residence to support the commercialisation of biotechnology research in the School of Biological Sciences
Anne Wight, a Director of Highbury Pacific Ltd assumes a part-time role as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to assist with the commercialisation of biotechnology research in the School of Biological Sciences.
CoDa Therapeutics (NZ) Ltd co-locates research team in the School of Biological Sciences
As a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, CoDa Therapeutics (NZ) Ltd scientists gain full access to the research infrastructure and expertise in the School of Biological Sciences. The company focuses on the development and commercialisation of therapeutics for wound and tissue repair. The New Zealand based company works in parallel with its US sister company, CoDa Therapeutics Inc, which is based in San Diego and is responsible for drug product manufacture, financing, marketing and business development.
HortResearch launches summer studentship programme 2008/09
Following its inaugural summer studentship programme which employed 17 University of Auckland students over the summer 2007/08 - HortResearch announced the second edition of its successful programme at a recent launch function in the School of Biological Sciences. Through its partnership in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, HortResearch is again offering up to 20 summer studentships with the aim to increase graduate student numbers and develop a strong workforce in the plant sciences. The summer studentship programme extends ongoing collaborations in research and teaching thereby gradually developing a continuous plant sciences campus between HortResearch in Mt Albert and the School of Biological Sciences in the city.
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise pledges continued support for Bioscience Enterprise programme
Through its long standing partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology NZTE has renewed its sponsorship for the Master in Bioscience Enterprise programme and the Bioscience Enterprise Forum series. NZTE considers the strong relationship with the MBE programme as a critical part of building the Auckland region as a centre of biotech excellence, innovation, and business expertise. The programme was jointly developed by the University of Auckland and NZTE and has achieved widespread collaboration with the biotech sector which provides lecturers and internships.
AgResearch Structure Laboratory at the University of Auckland extended to 2012
AgResearch and the University of Auckland have signed an agreement to continue collaborations in structural biology for a further five years, to 2012. As a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, New Zealand's largest Crown Research Institute operates the AgResearch Structure Laboratory in the School of Biological Sciences, thereby gaining full access to the School's academic expertise and research infrastructure. Projects focus on a variety of agriculturally important proteins and are directed by AgResearch Senior Lecturer/Scientist Dr Shaun Lott, who is jointly funded by each partner organisation.
Invitrogen supports biotech teaching and research
Invitrogen has become a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology to facilitate workforce development through its support of laboratory teaching and the biotech student network Chiasma. Collaboration with Invitrogen ensures that biotech teaching is cutting-edge and helps Chiasma run entrepreneurship challenges and career events for biotech students.
Biomatters Ltd renews bioinformatics support at the University of Auckland
Biomatters Ltd has become a partner in the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and will support bioinformatics research and teaching through the donation of licenses for its award winning Geneious Pro software. This new partnership continues the longstanding association of Biomatters Ltd with the University of Auckland and its Bioinformatics Institute. The company develops unique and easy-to-use software for scientific solutions in the areas of disease research, human health and environmental issues. It has won numerous awards for its innovative solutions in bioinformatics and computational biology.
ViaLactia Biosciences Chief Scientist appointed as Adjunct Professor
Dr Russell Snell, Founder Chief Scientist (Bovine) at ViaLactia Biosciences, has been appointed as Adjunct Professor in Molecular Genetics in the School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology. The appointment highlights Dr Snell's international track record in academic research and particularly his contributions to the agricultural sector in the area of bovine genomics. ViaLactia Biosciences and the University have been working closely together in genomics and proteomics over many years and have plans to expand these collaborations further in the near future.
Strategic partnership between LabPLUS and the University through joint appointment
Dr Don Love has been appointed as Director of Diagnostic Genetics at LabPLUS (Auckland City Hospital) while continuing in a part-time role as Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics in the School of Biological Sciences. This partnership brings together the clinical expertise and clinical samples of New Zealand's largest tertiary referral medical Laboratory, and the advanced expertise in genetics technology offered by the University of Auckland. Joint research projects aim at increasing the resolution of cytogenetic analysis towards better diagnostic advice for patients.
Androgenix Ltd becomes a partner
Androgenix is a new start-up biotech company that applies genomic technology for the development of products with application in the world-wide livestock industry. The company has become a partner of the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and co-located its research activities in the School of Biological Sciences. Through this relationship Androgenix gains full access to the School's research infrastructure and expertise.
