Updates
Comvita launches PhD scholarship in natural health
University of Auckland doctoral student Swapna Gannabathula has been named the inaugural recipient of the Claude Alexander Stratford Research Scholarship.Sponsored by New Zealand natural health product company Comvita, and established in association with The University of Auckland, the scholarship provides three years of funding for a doctoral student based at the university and studying a topic related to natural health products.
Comvita’s founder Claude Stratford marked his 100th birthday earlier this week and the announcement of the scholarship was part of his birthday celebrations held at Comvita’s headquarters in Paengaroa on Friday 20 August.
Comvita is one of several biotechnology companies co-located at the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology. The institute is New Zealand’s leading bio-incubator, providing biotechnology companies with access to the university’s expertise and resources in order to accelerate their research and development.
Director of the Institute, Professor Joerg Kistler, says that the scholarship demonstrates the commitment of Comvita to the development of innovative natural health products backed by credible scientific research, and that it is a vital part of the partnership between the company and the university.
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| Jonathan Stephens, Ralf Schothauer, Swapna Gannabathula, Brett Hewlett, Joerg Kistler, Geoff Krissansen |
IIB partner Plant & Food Research launches Summer Studentship Programme 2010/11
For the fourth year in a row Plant &Food Research launched its popular Summer Studentship Programme at a function held in the University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences. The ever increasing numbers of students attending the annual launch function highlight the value the students see in these internships which offer a broad range of basic and applied science projects. Students value the experience of working in a CRI where discoveries and translation into products become seamless. Detailed information on this programme can be found on the web.http://careers.plantandfood.co.nz.
IIB hosts NZBIO-Auckland network dinner
The fourth edition of the popular mid-winter “An Evening with Wine” was held in The University of Auckland’s Business School and was attended by over 60 representatives from industry and academia. Guests were briefed on the continuing growth of New Zealand’s first dedicated bio-incubator which uses laboratories and offices on thematic floors across the expanded Thomas complex. In accordance with the theme of the evening, Professor Richard Gardner, leader of the FRST funded wine science programme, conducted a wine tasting and presented highlights of new research findings which are already being adopted by the wine industry.Bioscience Strategies NZ Ltd takes an office in the IIB
Bioscience Strategies NZ Ltd. is a consultancy focused on commercial strategies and business development for early and mid-stage enterprises in the life sciences.Jim Mervis, Managing Director of Bioscience Strategies, is a catalyst for success in company development in life sciences. He has an extensive background in securities and commercial transactions; defining and establishing strategic alliances and securing the financial and human resources for corporate growth. During the past ten years, Mr. Mervis played a pivotal role in the structure, finance and management of four of the most notable bio-pharmaceutical start-ups of the period: Barrier Therapeutics, Cardiokine, Intercept Pharmaceuticals and CoDa Therapeutics. He currently serves as Chairman of CoDa Therapeutics Inc. and a Director of Polybatics Ltd. In addition, he is an Advisor to New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, University of Auckland's Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and Uniservices.
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/jim-mervis/8/540/414
Roof shout party marks progress with construction of Thomas Building extension
Over a hundred guests involved in the planning, design and construction of the Thomas Building extension attended a roof shout party at Old Government House. Construction is on schedule for completion in early September, with final fit-out and furnishing expected to be complete in mid-November. The extended Thomas Complex will provide over 10,000m2 of research space over five thematic floors for academic and industry scientists.
Comvita launches Science Video Challenge 2010
At a recent event organised by Chiasma – the University of Auckland’s student biotech network, Comvita’s Chief Technical Officer Dr Ralf Schlothauer launched the company’s innovative new Science Video Challenge. Student teams are invited to submit a short video for a general audience explaining the real science behind some of nature’s healthiest foods. Comvita supports students through internships and graduate supervision, and through this novel science competition. The company co-located its science laboratory in the IIB in July 2009.
Third joint appointment brings partnership with Plant & Food Research closer
Dr Andy Allan has been appointed part-time as Associate Professor in Molecular Plant Physiology in the IIB and the School of Biological Sciences. Dr Allan’s appointment – being the third Associate Professor jointly with Plant & Food Research, highlights the close and longstanding collaboration in teaching and research. Currently 15 PhD students conduct their research at the CRI’s Mt Albert campus. Dr Allan has a PhD from University of Cambridge, UK, and is a Senior Scientist and Team Leader in the Genomics Department at Plant & Food Research.
Innate Therapeutics Ltd co-locates its CSO in the IIB
Innate Therapeutics Ltd has taken an office in the IIB and co-located its Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Gill Webster. The company has designed and manufactured a unique immunomodulator microparticle technology which can be used to induce the immune system to fight certain cancers and infections, or turn off certain immune mechanisms involved in autoimmune diseases. By attaching selected modulators to the microparticle, these triggers can be delivered reliably to specific cells of the immune system.
Long term partnership with Biomatters renewed
Biomatters has been a longstanding partner in the IIB and the Bioinformatics Institute through the donation of licenses for its award winning Geneious software and the joint supervision of graduate students. This ongoing partnership has been renewed for 2010. The company develops innovative, easy-to-use and essential scientific hardware that speeds up and simplifies research for all biologists.
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 IIB
Natural healthcare company Comvita Ltd has established its science laboratory in the IIB. As a partner in the IIB, Comvita staff gain full access to the research infrastructure and expertise in the School of Biological Sciences. 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.
