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. 

Check out the latest speakers

DAY ONE

Check out the Day One Programme >

DAY TWO

Check out the Day Two Programme >

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!

Register here

DAY ONE

Tuesday 18 March

Day 1

Monday 11th March

8:10 - Registration

Conference registration, coffee and networking with exhibitors

Mihi whakatau

Dr Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC

Manya Sabherwal, Chair, BioTechNZ

Setting the biotech sector up for success

9:20 - Ministerial address
Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology (Video)
  • Addressing global health issues through biotechnology, supported by international philanthropy and collaboration
  • Understanding the challenges faced in final regulatory approvals due to bureaucratic delays
  • Discussing the world’s first GM banana to achieve commercial approval, led by a university, demonstrating that small organisations can succeed in biotechnology
  • How innovation and persistence can overcome regulatory challenges and bring biotech products to market

Professor James Dale, Banana Program Lead, Queensland University of Technology

  • Overview of the current science ecosystem 
  • Frameworks to promote a science-driven growth economy in New Zealand
  • Exploring opportunities for leveraging innovation to address societal challenges and enhance economic growth
  • Examining the integration of Te Ao Māori perspectives within New Zealand’s regulatory framework
  • Highlighting the importance of strategic collaborations between academia, industry, and government for driving research impact
  • New Zealand’s role in global science and technology arenas, and opportunities for international collaboration and leadership
  • What are NZ’s scene and industry super-powers? 

 

Hema Sridhar, Strategic Advisor – Technological Futures, Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures

Advancing the New Zealand Biotech ecosystem

11:10 - Keynote: Examining Australia's gene regulation frameworks
  • Discussing the establishment and development of gene regulation frameworks in Australia
  • Exploring the journey and milestones achieved in the field of gene regulation in Australia
  • Investigating innovative approaches to understand gene regulatory systems
  • Implementing effective compliance programs to uphold ethical standards and regulatory requirements in genetic research
  • How do regulators, researchers and the industry work together to foster a safe and supportive environment for beneficial advancements in the sector?
  • Community attitudes to gene technology

 

Neil Ellis, Acting Gene Technology Regulator, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer, CropLife Australia

  • The impact of agriculture on land, water, and climate; global hunger and malnutrition; and population growth
  • The need for collaboration, innovation, and communication in addressing these challenges
  • Strategic planning versus foresight, and how to create the future we want rather than just preparing for the future we expect

 

Jack Bobo, Executive Director, UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies

Michael Leader, Head of Regulatory Scientific Affairs APAC, Bayer Crop Science

Stream A: Human and animal health

Stream B: Agriculture, environment, industrial

Dr Linda Rhodes, Veterinarian, Independent Consultant (USA)

Facilitator: Duncan Mackintosh, Veterinarian, Senior Investment Manager, Brandon Capital

Facilitator: Charles Beasley Ambassador BioTechNZ & Strategic Partnerships Director, SAPRO Consulting & CRO

Sjaan Evans Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Clinical Research New Zealand 

Dr Barney Montgomery Managing Director, Principal Investigator, Optimal Clinical Trials

Dr Sam Adamson, Director – Strategic Development (Australia & New Zealand), Harvest Integrated Research Organization (HiRO)

Dr Rohit Katial, Lead Research Physician and Principal Investigator,  New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR)

  • Exploring key considerations and strategies for designing and optimising pilot-scale systems to bridge the gap between R&D and full-scale manufacturing
  • Identifying challenges encountered during pilot scale build-outs

Dr Alec Foster, Acting GM Forest to Biobased Products, Scion

Arun Luthra, Managing Director, Amerging Technologies 

Professor Travis Glare, Chief Executive Officer, Lincoln Argitech

Facilitator: Ella Reshef, R&D Solutions Specialist – Biotechnology, Callaghan Innovation

  • Review the current status of bioprotectant industry in NZ, 
  • what is being done to advance it and what needs to happen for it to ‘fire on all cylinders’
  • Inherent in this is cooperation among the public sector R&D organisations, private sector investment, relationships with commercial partners and being very market driven
  •  Therein lies the challenge and the opportunity


Dr Greg Pringle Independent Consultant – Biological Crop Protection

Livia Esterhazy, Programme Director, A Lighter Touch

  • Explore the vast potential of ocean-related sectors to generate social, cultural, ecological and economic gain for New Zealand.
  • Highlight the significant role aquaculture can play in increasing sustainable food supply to a growing population
  • Discuss the importance – and challenges – of accurately investing in and valuing marine ecosystems to support sustainable development
  • Showcase how Moananui is helping increase the value generated through our marine resources (with specific biotech examples)

Jodie Kuntzsch, Chief Executive, Moananui

15:00 - Afternoon break
  • Assessing the legal and ethical implications of biotech applications in modern farming practices, using the Marsh v Baxter case as a focal point
  • Analysing the regulatory landscape governing biotech crops and the challenges farmers face in compliance
  • Discussing approaches to risk assessment in biotech agriculture and strategies for coexistence between different farming methods
  • Exploring how court decisions like Marsh v Baxter influence future innovations in biotechnology and shape policy development in agricultural biotech sectors

 

Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer, CropLife Australia

  • Highlighting successful strategies and innovations from the Victoria BioTech Hub that can benefit Aus Biotech and NZ collaboration
  • Identifying ways to leverage shared resources and expertise to drive innovation and growth in the biotech industry across both regions
  • Outlining strategic directions for sustained success and development – how can stakeholders within the sectors play their part to make the most of the opportunities

 

Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (Victoria, Australia)

Facilitator: Dr Chris Nave, Founding Partner & Managing Director, Brandon Capital

Sponsored by Brandon Biocatalyst 

DAY TWO

Wednesday 19 March

Dr Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC

Day 2

Tuesday 12th March

Advancing technology and science

Professor Emily Parker, Departmental Science Advisor, MBIE

Dr Marie Bradley, Director Strategy and Communications, AgResearch

Will Charles Executive Director Investment, Auckland UniServices Limited

Facilitator: Dr Victoria Metcalf, Principal Advisor, Vocational Education & Training outcomes, Tertiary Education Commission

  • The unmet need for new vaccination technologies and the benefit of vaccine delivery to the skin
  • The evolution of the idea and company; building the compelling data sets
  • The challenges and opportunities of doing this in Australia

 

Dr Angus Forster, Chief Technology Officer, Vaxxas

  • Exploring how partnerships between technology and sciences are driving advancements
  • How space research is enabling a more sustainable earth

 

Dr Kate Rubins, Astronaut, NASA

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?
  • Update on the ENABLE-2 trial milestones
  • Taking CAR T-cell therapy from clinical trials to standard of care in Aotearoa
  • Future steps for Aotearoa

 

 

Dr Robert Weinkove, Clinical Director, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

John (JR) Robson– Managing Director BioOra Limited, General Manager Bridgewest Ventures

Dr Cameron Smith, Partner FB Rice

Dr William Rolleston, Co-founder, South Pacific Sera Limited

John McIntyre– Principal, Athfield Architects

Facilitator: Manya Sabherwal, National Account Manager, Cytiva Chair, BioTechNZ

  • Examining RNA interference (RNAi) as a tool for agricultural pest control and novel disease treatments.
  • Applying CRISPR-Cas systems in precision breeding for conservation efforts and agriculture
  • Advancing RNA-based vaccines and diagnostics to enhance disease prevention and early detection in human and animal health
  • Showcasing real-world applications to highlight RNA technology’s role in boosting sustainability, productivity, and innovation in New Zealand’s agri-food and healthcare sectors
  • Evaluating economic potential and growth opportunities for the biotech industry in New Zealand, emphasising its relevance to local biotech advancement

 

Dr Axel Heiser, Chief Scientist,  Agresearch

11:00 - Using the plant microbiome to achieve sustainable crop production and One Health
  • Introduction to the plant microbiome and microbial interactions
  • Harnessing of the plant microbiome to help achieve the One Health concept
  • The functions and influencing factors of the plant microbiome
  • Current and emerging plant microbiome applications for sustainable crop production including plant-microbiome breeding, microbial recruitment and microbial consortia development
  • Opportunities of microbiome engineering, including microbial strain improvement using gene editing

Dr Linda Johnson, Science Group Manager for Resilient Agriculture, Agresearch 

Dr Carl Ramage, Managing Director, Ruataki Solutions, Director, PTM Solutions

David Hudson, Managing Director, SGA Solutions & PTM Solutions

  • Background and progress so far
  • Portfolio approach to tools for farmers
  • Our approach to technology screening and investment

 

Ruth Leary, Head of Strategy and Engagement, AgriZeroNZ

Future needs for Aotearoa’s BioTech sector

Stream A

Stream B: Roundtables

13:30 - Leveraging Local and Global Funding: From New Zealand to Horizon
  • Examining New Zealand’s role as the first non-EU participant in Horizon Europe, showcasing pathways for international collaboration and funding
  • Emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships, aligning project goals with funding priorities to enhance chances of securing grants
  • Examining the current landscape in NZ: Exploring available grants and funding opportunities

 

Dr Alec Foster, Acting GM – Forest to Biobased Products, Scion

Dr Stephen Webb, Chief Executive Officer, RTDS Group

Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

Ella Reshef R&D Solutions Specialist – Biotechnology, Callaghan Innovation

Erena Calder Hawkins, Research Engagement Lead, Sprout Agritech

Moderator: Robert Veale, Corporate Development Manager, Aroa Biosurgery Limited

13:30 - Roundtables session 1

Market-ready innovations: pioneering solutions from Aotearoa 

3 minute lightning talks sponsored by ASX and supported by BioTechNZ

ASX sponsored companies

  1. Dr Olivia Ogilvie– OpoBio
  2. Jonathan Good– Scentian Bio
  3. John Robson– Bio Ora
  4. Andy Clover– Kimer Med
  5. Gabriel James – Solar Ferm

 

BioTechNZ supported companies

  1. Matthew Nicholson – Bontia Bio
  2. Dr Janice Cheng – Hot Lime Labs 
  3. Dr Maddie White – Lab Mate
  4. Dr Ralph Highnam –Start up
  5. Dr Justin Hodgkiss – Advemto
  6. Associate Professor Sarah Kessans – Microgravity Research Programme
  7. John Mead – BioSouth

Moderator: Serge Van Dam, Software Investor

Dr Victoria Metcalf, Conference MC

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