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LIFE SCIENCES SUMMIT
Programme
Explore our two-day conference programme filled with inspiring keynote presentations, engaging panel discussions, and plenty of networking opportunities in the company of biotech leaders from Aotearoa and around the world.
PRE SUMMIT TOUCHDOWN EVENT
Monday 17 March 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Kick off the Life Sciences Summit 2025 in style at our Touchdown Event brought to you by BioTechNZ and WellingtonNZ. Join us to greet our international speakers and delegates while mingling with fellow biotech enthusiasts. Open to all, you don’t need to be a Summit delegate to attend this exciting pre-event gathering.
Following the roaring success of last year’s event, we’re thrilled to welcome you back for an even more exciting evening. Whether you’re a seasoned biotech professional or simply curious about the sector, bring your passion and join us for this unforgettable kickoff!
DAY ONE
Tuesday 18 March
Day 1
Monday 11th March
8:10 - Registration
Conference registration, coffee and networking with exhibitors
8:55 - Mihi whakatau
Mihi whakatau
9:00 - Welcome remarks from the MC
Dr Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC
9:10 - Welcome to the Life Sciences Summit
Manya Sabherwal, Chair, BioTechNZ
Setting the Biotech sector up for success
9:20 - Ministerial address
9:40 - Keynote: Aligning Australian BioTech with New Zealand for a better future
Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (Victoria, Australia)
Facilitator: Dr Chris Nave, Founding Partner & Managing Director, Brandon Capital
10:10 - Panel Discussion: Bridging the valley - from innovation to application
Facilitator: Manya Sabharwal, Chair, BioTech NZ
10:40 - Morning break
Advancing the New Zealand Biotech ecosystem
11:10 - Keynote: Examining Australia's gene regulation frameworks
Dr Raj Bhula, Australian Gene Technology Regulator
11:50 - Keynote: We don’t need one solution; we need them all
12:20 - Life Sciences quickfire series
12:30 - Lunch break
Stream A: Human and animal health
Stream B: Agriculture, environment, industrial
13:30 - Spotlight on One Health
Linda Rhodes, Veterinarian, Independent Consultant (USA)
Facilitator: Duncan Mackintosh, Veterinarian, Senior Investment Manager, Brandon Capital
14:00 - Accelerating drug discovery
14:30 - RNA research update
13:30 - BioTech fermentation and bioreactors for research and development to scale up
14:00 - Bio-Controls and future trends
14:30 - Unlocking the potential of New Zealand's blue economy
Jodie Kuntzsch, Chief Executive, Moananui
15:00 - Afternoon break
15:30 - Achieving coexistence in a complex regulatory landscape
Matthew Cossey, CEO, CropLife Australia
16:00 - Closing keynote: World saving super-bananas!
Professor James Dale, Banana Program Lead, Queensland University of Technology
16:50 - Closing remarks
17:00 - Networking function
DAY TWO
Wednesday 19 March
9:00 - Welcome back from the MC
Day 2
Tuesday 12th March
Advancing technology and science
09:10 - Keynote: The convergence of biology and technology powering scientific breakthroughs
Dr Kate Rubins, Astronaut, NASA
09:30 - Keynote: A game changer - Needle-free vaccine nanotechnology
10:00 - Panel Discussion: What does putting NZ Clinical Trials on steroids mean?
10:30 - Morning break
Pockets of greatness in the biotech sector
Stream A: Human and Animal Health
Stream B Agriculture, environment & industrial
11:00 - Cell and gene therapy - can New Zealand compete?
Dr Robert Weinkove, Clinical Director, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
11:30 - Advancing pregnancy testing in animal and human Health
Dr Bronwyn Darlington, CEO, Agscent
12:00 - RNA-based technologies
Dr Axel Heiser, Chief Scientist, Agresearch
11:00 - Using the plant microbiome to achieve sustainable crop production and One Health
Dr Linda Johnson, Science Team Leader, Agresearch
11:30 - Market choice - A framework for new breeding technologies
Dr Carl Ramage, Managing Director, Ruataki Solutions, Director, PTM Solutions
David Hudson, Managing Director, SGA Solutions & PTM Solutions
12:00 - Climate mitigation
Representative from AgriZero
12:30 - Lunch
Future needs for Aotearoa’s BioTech sector
Stream A
Stream B: Roundtables
13:30 - Navigating Aotearoa's science system - challenges and opportunities
Hema Sridhar, Strategic Advisor – Technological Futures, Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures
13:50 - Exploring funding opportunities: insights from ARPA-H and Horizon
Dr Alec Foster, Bioproducts and Packaging Portfolio Lead, Scion
14:15 - Panel discussion: shaping talent and future pathways
13:30 - Roundtables session 1
14:15 - Roundtables session 2
15:00 - Afternoon break
Market-ready innovations: pioneering solutions from Aotearoa
15:30 - BioTech Innovation Showcase
16:30 - Closing remarks
Dr Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC