Kia ora
A lot of you know that late last month, I lost my mum to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). I’m sharing this because moments like these make you reflect on what really matters.
At AusBiotech, BioTech New Zealand hosted 24 New Zealand organisations. They are all an amazing group of organisations doing great things, but more than that, you are an outstanding group of people. Most knew my mum had only days or weeks to live, and you shared your own family stories with me: loved ones you had lost, and the tension between the long hours of work required for success and the guilt of not spending enough time with family. The compassion I was shown was extraordinary, and I’m very grateful to all of you.
This whole experience has made me reflect on my life. As Monty Python member Terry Gilliam put it in the 2013 documentary The Meaning of Monty Python: “I think the whole point is that ‘meaning to life’ is trying to give meaning to life, not that there is any meaning to life.” There is no one answer; it is how we choose to live.
So, making a difference through the work I do for the New Zealand biotech community and its people is so important to my own “meaning of life”.
Upcoming Events
Bioscience Enterprise End-of-Year Celebration
Thursday 26 November 2026, 4.30–7.30pm | Member’s Lounge, Old Government House, 24 Princes Street, Auckland Central
Join the Bioscience Enterprise community to celebrate the end of the year.
Register
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
11-14 January 2027 | San Francisco, California, USA
A leading global healthcare investment and industry conference.
Learn more
evokeAG 2027
16–17 February 2027 | Adelaide, Australia
Explore the future of agrifood technology, innovation and investment.
Learn more
Life Sciences Summit 2027
15–17 March 2027 | Tākina Wellington
Join New Zealand’s life sciences community for Life. Reimagined.
Super Saver ticket sale ends 23 November 2026.
Register
Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting or contributing an idea? Email lifesciencessummit@technewzealand.org.nz
Natural Health Products NZ Summit 2027
4–6 May 2027 | Wellington
Save the date for New Zealand’s natural health products sector summit.
BIO International Convention
7–10 June 2027 | Philadelphia, USA
Connect with global biotechnology leaders, investors and innovators at BIO.
If you have any questions, please contact niall.gordon@nzte.govt.nz
Member News
I want to celebrate some of our members’ successes. I know I haven’t captured them all, so apologies if I’ve missed yours.
- Daisy Lab, a start-up producing animal-free dairy protein without animals, is “going global” following its acquisition by UK firm Mycofeast. Read more.
- Humble Bee has pivoted from bee silk to develop a skincare product designed to replace lost elastin in the skin. Read more.
- BioOra has welcomed the commitment to unlock CAR T-cell therapy in New Zealand, signed a definitive licence for WZTL-002, and announced an NZ$30 million first close for its Series A2 round. Read more.
- The Government has ring-fenced $15 million towards BioFactory’s $30 million biomanufacturing raise. Read more.
- Pacific Edge has won a battle for US coverage of its bladder cancer detection technology. Read more.
- New Zealand’s Cadmus Animal Health has raised NZ$8 million for its canine periodontal disease programme. Read more.
- Congratulations to the team on the sale of GlycoSyn to South Pacific Sera and the creation of GlycoSyn Technologies Ltd.
Regional Events
Our first joint Bay of Plenty clinical trials and life sciences networking event, held with HiRO and NZ Acres, was a great success. Check out the socials.
Our first “Biotech and Beers” event in Dunedin, hosted and supported by Lab Supply, also looked like a fantastic event. Check out the event recap.
And all of this happened in October — well done, biotech!
Remember to send us your good news so we can share with fellow members.
Ngā mihi,
Zahra Champion Executive Director, BioTech New Zealand
Read full news here: https://mailchi.mp/biotechnz.org.nz/member-milestones-regional-connections-and-upcoming-events-november-newsletter