NZBio Presents Powerhouse of Innovative Talent

NZBio Presents Powerhouse of Innovative Talent

A powerhouse of New Zealand’s innovative talent will converge in Auckland next week, for the 2010 NZBIO Conference: Advancing a Bio-Based Economy. Now in its sixth year, this annual conference is New Zealand’s largest innovation and business focused gathering.

“NZBIO’s 2010 conference programme covers the spectrum of the bioeconomy, with sessions dedicated to bio-based solutions to global issues in primary production, health, industry and the environment,” NZBIO Chief Executive Bronwyn Dilley says.

“The calibre of national and international speakers this year is extremely high. NZBIO is proud to present the strongest line up ever of speakers and sessions dedicated to important issues affecting New Zealand’s bio-based industries.”

Distinguished keynote speakers and presentation titles include: Dr Ben Chen of Burrill & Co: The State of the Industry - The Global Perspective; Dr Alan Robertson of Pharmaxis: Can NZ Build an International Pharmaceutical Company – the Pharmaxis Story; Joshua Hofheimer of Hexima Limited: Commercialisation of GM Crops – Putting Science into Farmer’s Hands; Sir Stephen Tindall of K1W1: From Waste to Fuels & Chemicals; Claire Driscoll of the National Human Genome Research Institute: How to Successfully Access & Leverage NIH Resources; and Dr Jack Sommer, Knight Distinguished Professor of Public Policy Emeritus at the University of North Carolina: Bioscientists – Issues and Opinions from the 2008 Survey of Scientists.

The impacts of international treaties, the state of New Zealand’s capital markets and angel investment, ethical issues and untapped opportunities will also be explored.

“In the post global financial crisis landscape there is increasing pressure on both company valuations and capital. In light of this, several conference sessions will cover the commercial and economic realities of the industry,” Ms Dilley adds.

These sessions include: Advancing NZ’s Bioeconomy - Commercialisation Success Stories; Is the VC Model Failing?; Capital Markets – A Critical Factor in an Effective Innovation Ecosystem; and Raising Capital in the Post-GFC Market.

A Technology and Investor Showcase will also run in parallel to the conference programme, providing a dedicated forum for companies to present their latest developments and investors to detail the opportunities they are looking for.

For more information on NZBIO 2010 visit: www.nzbio2010.co.nz

ENDS

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