2024 Programme

Life Sciences Summit 2024 – Day 1

Monday 11th March – Day 1

08:30

Welcome

Conference registration, coffee and networking with exhibitors

08:40

Welcome

Mihi Whakatau

09:00

Welcome

Conference welcome address MC

Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC

09:10

Welcome

Welcome to the Life Sciences Summit

Dr Zahra Champion, Executive Director, BioTech NZ

09:20

Playing the long game aotearoa

Ministerial address: Update on future direction for Aotearoa’s biotech and science system

09:40

Playing the long game aotearoa

Opening keynote: Science is for the long game

Jon Pilcher, CEO & Managing Director, Neuren Pharmaceuticals

10:30

Networking

Morning tea and networking with exhibitors

11:00

Future needs and trends for Aotearoa’s biotech sector

What is your secret for success?

11:30

Future needs and trends for Aotearoa’s biotech sector

Biotech leaders panel: Charting the future

  • Exploring the vital role of biotech
  • Defining our essential needs to foster sector growth

Moderated by: Dr Chris Nave, CEO, Brandon Capital

John Robson, General Manager, Bridgewest

Dr Stefan Korn, CEO , Callaghan Innovation

Professor Dame Juliet Gerrad, New Zealand Chief Science Advisor

Dr Phil Kearney, CEO, Axelia Oncology

12:30

Networking

Lunch and networking with exhibitors

13:30

Sustainability, climate emissions and biotech: paving the path to our net zero future

Biotech revolutionising agriculture with sustainable solutions

The greatest adventure of humanity

Discover the challenge of our generation, the global disruptors and the opportunity of a lifetime! Biotech enabled global game-changers are providing hope for the future, we examine how and why. 

Dr Florian Graichen, General Manager Bioproducts and Biomanufacturing, Scion

Biotech’s role in supporting human health

Update on the Aotearoa RNA Platform

  • Strategic plan
  • How to engage with the platform 

Moderated by : Manya Sabherwal, National Account Manager, Cytiva

William Rolleston, Director, South Pacific Serum

14:10

Biotech’s role in supporting human health

Exploring the role of next-generation AI in biotech

What role can next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technologies play in drug discovery and biomarker development? 

Greg Macpherson, Founder, SRW

Sustainability, climate emissions and biotech: paving the path to our net zero future

The greatest adventure of humanity

Discover the challenge of our generation, the global disruptors and the opportunity of a lifetime! Biotech enabled global game-changers are providing hope for the future, we examine how and why.

Dr Florian Graichen, General Manager Bioproducts and Biomanufacturing, Scion

14:40

Biotech’s role in supporting human health

Enhancing Aotearoa New Zealand clinical trials panel

  • Future of clinical trials
  • Aotearoa opportunity

Moderated by: Dr Adele Hosseini, Consultant

Dr Tim Benbow, Government Incentives, EY

Sustainability, climate emissions and biotech: paving the path to our net zero future

Microorganisms to the rescue panel

Moderated by: Dr Natalie Curach, Senior Director, Biokingo Works

Dr Louise Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Hygiene Renewables 

Dr Tom Williams, CEO and Co-Founder, Number 8 Bio

Dr Alec Foster, Portfolio Leader Bioproducts and Packaging, Scion

Dr Sean Simpson, Co-Founder, LanzaTech

15:10

Networking

Afternoon Tea and networking with exhibitors

15:40

Future thinking

Who is Investing in biotech panel

  • Discussing the complex funding path biotech companies are facing
  • Global and local investment trends 

Moderated by: Stuart Roberts, Co-founder,  Pitstreet

David Allen, Managing Director, Hawkesbury Partners

16:20

Round Tables

Fire Side Chat

16:50

Closing

Closing remarks from MC

18:30

Dinner

Life Science Summit Dinner

  • Please join us at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre for a delicious Networking Dinner. Enjoy an exceptional culinary journey and networking opportunities
  • Secure an All Access ticket with our Networking Dinner included to make use of  this opportunity to connect with fellow delegates

Life Sciences Summit 2024 – Day 2

Tuesday 12th March – Day 2

08:30

Networking

Conference registration, coffee and networking with exhibitors

09:00

Welcome

Conference welcome address MC

Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC

09:10

Keynote

Keynote speaker: AI and Genomics – Transforming Biology with AI

09:40

Keynote

Keynote: Synthetic biology

Dr Louise Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Hygiene Renewables

10:30

Networking

Morning Tea and networking with exhibitors

11:00

Genomics

Bolstering marine research and conservation with genomic technologies

Round Tables

Round table 1

11:30

Genomics

Driving change at the frontier of genomic technologies

Dr Emma Ball, Head of Ecosystem Development AMEA, Illumina

11:45

Round Tables

Round table 2

12:00

Genomics

A fit for purpose regulatory framework for Aotearoa

12:30

Networking

Lunch and networking with exhibitors

13:30

Panel

Creation of new sustainable ingredients from lab scale to industrial implementation panel

Moderated by: Dr Lloyd Thomson, Commercialisation and Business Development Manager, Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), Uniquest

Biosecurity and animal health

A framework for the future: Investing in animal biosecurity and health research

14:00

Biosecurity and animal health

Future proofing Aoteoroa’s animal health innovation system panel

Moderated by: Dr Duncan Mackintosh, Senior Investment Manager, Brandon Capital

14:30

Panel

Verifying truth, proving origin and protecting reputations

Dr Kate Jones, Senior Science Advisor, Oritain

15:00

Networking

Afternoon tea and networking with exhibitors

15:30

Panel

Future leaders panel and strategies for talent retention and growth

16:20

Closing

Closing remarks MC