New Zealand ''New Thinking'' Leads Next Wave of Biotechnology Innovation; Industry and Governmental Delegation to BIO 2006 Highlights Strong Science and Global Connectedness of New Zealand Biotechnology.

CHICAGO -- A leader in the next wave of biotechnology -- the application of genomics and other life science technologies to the creation of healthier foods, new energy sources, innovative materials and environmental and industrial biotechnology -- as well as a highly productive developer of novel drugs and health care products, diagnostics and Bio-IT tools, New Zealand will showcase the country's rapidly growing biotechnology industry April 9-12 at BIO 2006 in Chicago, IL.

Over 40 New Zealand companies and research institutions will attend the international conference as part of a delegation led by Ambassador Roy Ferguson, New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States. Ranked by the World Bank in December 2005 as the best country in which to do business, New Zealand is reaching out at BIO to partner with leading U.S. and international companies and research institutions.

"New Zealand is renowned for its innovation in the life sciences, built upon a history of more than 150 years of research applied to agriculture and human health, as well as a public-private approach to business," said Chris Boalch, director of Biotechnology, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. "Moreover, the country's global mindset is illustrated by the diverse range of connections between New Zealand scientists, companies and the international biotechnology industry, including strong, growing ties to the U.S. Midwest."

New Zealand Pavilion

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will host a pavilion in the BIO 2006 Exhibition Hall. The pavilion will showcase a variety of New Zealand companies and research institutions in the areas of human medicine, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, biomaterials, and other areas. The pavilion will include a meeting area for networking and one-on-one meetings during the conference. New Zealand will also co-host with Australia a joint wine tasting event on Tuesday April 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, featuring fine wines from both nations. The New Zealand Pavilion is located at Booth 1301, McCormick Place Convention Center.

BIO International Day/ New Zealand Country Seminar

On Sunday April 9, from 12:30 to 1:20 pm, the New Zealand Country Seminar will illustrate successful New Zealand/North American biotechnology collaborations and discuss how and why they work. Included will be an overview of New Zealand's strengths in the fields of human health and performance, agricultural and industrial/bioprocessing biotechnology. Speakers will also discuss the country's business environment, including government initiatives undertaken to grow the industry and the possibilities for both public and private investment. Speakers will include:

--Moderator: Ambassador Roy Ferguson, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States

--Chris Boalch, Director of Biotechnology, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

--Marcia Rogers, Board Member, Iowa Department of Economic Development

--David Clarke, CEO of Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

--Rob Ayling, Managing Director of Finistere Partners

BIO International Day/ Food and Agriculture Seminar

Also on Sunday, from 2:40 - 3:30 pm, New Zealand will highlight its leadership position in the field of agricultural biotechnology through a seminar focused on applications of biotechnology to foods, animal husbandry, and other areas. Highlighted will be the shift in focus from enhancing commodity productivity to creating new value from the agriculture community. New Zealand has a strong capability in pasture-based plant and animal genomics, as well as access to unique germplasm and growing genomic databases that offer the potential to use plant biotechnologies for a range of new applications, as well as to improve the efficiency of primary food production. Speakers will include:

--Moderator: Ambassador Roy Ferguson, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States

--Brian Ward, CEO of NZBio

--Suzanne Bertrand, Innovation Manager of Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd.

--Jimmy Suttie, Science and Technology GM -- Applied Biotechnologies of Agresearch Ltd.

--Bill Kermode, Director of BioPacific Ventures.

Ambassador Roy Ferguson, as well as other panelists, will be available for limited interviews. Please contact us ASAP if you are interested.

For more information on New Zealand and its biotechnology industry, as well as its participation in BIO 2006, please visit www.nzte.govt.nz/bio2006.