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Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 10 No. 4, 2000, pp. 19-20 BIOTECH 2000 Report on the New Zealand Biotechnology Conference Biotech 2000: Innovation and Commercialisation Ian Maddox Massey University, New Zealand Code Number: au00041 The New Zealand Biotechnology Conference was held 9-11 July in Auckland, and was organised jointly by the New Zealand Biotechnology Association and BIOTENZ. About 140 delegates attended; this was the highest attendance for a number of years and reflects the increasing interest from industry for all things biotechnological. The number of delegates from the commercial sector was proportionally higher than in previous years. It should be noted that in New Zealand biotechnology encompasses a wide variety of activities ranging from extraction of natural products for medicinal use to recombinant DNA technologies. On the first morning of the conference delegates were “greeted” outside the venue by a picket line of anti-GM food protesters, but their numbers were small. Nevertheless the misinformation about biotechnology which currently abounds in New Zealand is a cause for concern, and both the New Zealand Biotechnology Association and BIOTENZ are anxious that the debate be based on facts rather than emotion and ignorance. We were fortunate at the conference that some of the overseas speakers who had attended the Australian Biotechnology Conference were able to visit New Zealand on their way home, and so we were presented with a good international perspective on many topics. The conference was opened by NZBA President, Selwyn Yorke, who introduced Dr. James Buwalda who spoke briefly on behalf of the Minister of Research, Science and Technology. This was followed by the first plenary session, “Molecular technologies and Medical Biotechnology”, ably led by Yigal Koltin of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This was followed by a session on “New Biotechnology Products” and included talks from local speakers who described briefly the latest developments in their areas. Tom Richardson (Forest Research) spoke about developments in the forestry industry, Ken McNatty (AgResearch) described the development of new fertility or contraceptive reagents from naturally-occurring genetic mutations in sheep, Steve Hodgkinson discussed future, i.e. functional, foods, and Martin Kennedy (Christchurch School of Medicine) described some of his recent research in pharmacogenetics. The afternoon session of the first day concentrated on the business rather than the science, in particular capturing the value from IP. Dan Syrdal (Heller, Ehrmam and McAuliffe, Ltd) and Russell Howard (MaxyGen) led the discussions, followed by Tom Ranken (Axio Research Corp) who spoke about Growing the Life Science Industry. This proved to be an excellent afternoon and virtually all delegates agreed that the entire day had been worthwhile. The second day was again divided into sessions on science and business. One of the major issues facing biotechnology in New Zealand at present is the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Genetic Modification. Many scientists have grave fears that the public is being misled by the anti-GM lobby who clearly don’t understand the issues. Mike Holm, of Russell McVeagh Ltd., described to us the background to the Royal Commission and Channapatna Prakash of Tuskegee University, USA, discussed the benefits to developing countries of GM foods. Dr. Prakash was also interviewed on local TV where he gave very lucid descriptions of these benefits and clearly won the debate against a rather hostile interviewer. A session was held on investment and growth in the biotechnology industry, led by Jim McLean of Genesis Ltd, ably supported by John Deakin-Bell of UBS Warburg and Kent Lines of HortResearch. This was followed by a scientific session on Natural Products where David Penman (Landcare Research) discussed indigenous biodiversity, while Roy Daniel (Waikato University) and Janice Thompson (Ancile Pharmaceuticals Inc.) spoke about proteases from extreme thermophiles and botanical drugs for modern medicine, respectively. The final session was a Panel Discussion on Growing the NZ Biotechnology Industry, chaired by Jim Watson of Genesis, Ltd. During the conference the NZBA Distinguished Biotechnology Award was made to Maxine Simmons and Rosemary Sharpin of Immuno-Chemical Products Ltd. This company has been one of the success stories of NZ Biotechnology over the last decade and it is very pleasing to see Maxine and Rosemary receive the recognition that they deserve. The AGM of the New Zealand Biotechnology Association was held during the conference. The incoming committee includes Selwyn Yorke (President), Peter Hosking (Vice-President), Max Kennedy, Liz Doolin, Bev France, Mark Sattler, Tim Jackson, Vernon Ward, Neil Pattinson and Ian Maddox. The 5th edition (2000) of the New Zealand Biotechnology Directory was released during the conference. This provides an update of all organisations with an interest in biotechnology, in its widest sense. Copies can be obtained from the NZBA (PO Box 38262, Wellington Mail centre, New Zealand) or email webmaster@biotech.org.nz. The AGM of BIOTENZ was also held at the Conference and a new Executive was elected. The incoming executive is Susan Barrett , Tony Brenton-Rule, Mark Christensen, Steven Hodgkinson, M-J Loza, Howard Moore, Albie Neal, Rebecca Redmond, Alan Rogerson, William Rolleston, Diana Twigden and Selwyn Yorke. BIOTENZ represents diverse industry groups ranging from natural products through to those involved in molecular biology. In this era of rapid change and controversy BIOTENZ has decided to employ a full time executive director who should be able to streamline BIOTENZ’s activities. For next year’s Conference the NZBA and BIOTENZ will combine with the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference to be held in Napier 4-7 December 2001. Copyright 2000 - Australiasian Biotechnology |
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