New Zealand Science and Technology at Forefront of Global Movement to Build Sustainable Technologies.

BIO 2007 Highlights New Zealand's "New Thinking": Biotechnology Applied in Sustainable Ways to Food Production, New Materials, Energy Resources, Human Health and More

BOSTON -- New Zealand is a leader in the global movement to build new sustainable technologies that permit the development of innovative materials, renewable energy sources, more productive agriculture, and a variety of unique foods, drugs and medical products that offer benefits for human health and well-being. Recognizing the importance of biotechnology to achieving those goals, representatives of New Zealand biotechnology companies, research institutions and governmental organizations will showcase the country's scientific excellence and rapidly growing biotechnology industry May 6 - 9 at BIO 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Over 35 New Zealand companies and institutions will attend the international conference as part of a delegation led by The Honorable Trevor Mallard, New Zealand Minister of Economic Development, and Ambassador Roy Ferguson, New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States. Ranked by multiple organizations as one of the best countries in the world with 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 policy makers recognize the importance of life science research and biotechnology for delivering better outcomes for health, the environment and for industrial, agricultural and energy production," said Dr. Chris Boalch, Director of Biotechnology, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. "Moreover, New Zealand is committed to biotechnology as a high growth sector with increasing importance to the country's economy. This commitment, combined with the country's recognized scientific expertise, global mindset, business-friendly economic climate, and diverse range of connections to other biotechnology industry communities throughout the world, make New Zealand an ideal place for life sciences-oriented business activities and investment."

Future Farming for Better Health

Illustrating several ways in which New Zealand science and companies are at the forefront of deriving benefits for human health from renewable agricultural resources, New Zealand will sponsor a program on "Future Farming for Better Health" on Monday May 7, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. This session, chaired by Paul McGilvary, CEO of HortResearch, will focus on how innovative farming practices are leading the world move to foods with improved health attributes. Participants in the session include Roy Ferguson, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Dietrich Ruelmann, Ph.D., of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and Ian Boddy, Ph.D. of AgResearch.

US-North American Partnerships

Partnering on a global scale is a focus for New Zealand companies and scientists, who have forged a variety of successful relationships over the years leading to a growing transnational flow of ideas and investment. On Tuesday May 8, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, a panel entitled "Getting Connected with New Zealand: Global Partnerships from the True South" will focus on the reasons that New Zealand and North American biotech collaborations are such a success. Chaired by Dr Chris Boalch of NZTE, additional participants will include Hon. Trevor Mallard, New Zealand Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Industry and Regional Development; Marcia Rogers, Iowa Department of Economic Development; Paul Cossum, Ph.D., CEO of ProActa Therapeutics Ltd.; Elspeth Macrae, Group Manager Biomaterials Research, Scion; and Brad Duft, CEO of CoDa Therapeutics.

Hon. Trevor Mallard to Speak at BIO SuperSession Ministerial Seminar

On Tuesday May 8, from 9:15 to 10:45 am, Hon. Trevor Mallard, New Zealand Minister of Economic Development, will speak as part of the BIO Ministerial Seminar about the latest New Zealand initiatives to support New Zealand biotechnology innovation. In particular, he will discuss the planned extension of ongoing partnership between New Zealand and Australia to foster biotechnology ventures, which has already provided over NZ$12 million in grants since the fund was formed in 2004.

New Zealand Pavilion

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will host a pavilion in the BIO 2007 Exhibition Hall. The pavilion will showcase a variety of New Zealand companies and research institutions in the areas including of plant and animal biotechnology, biofuels and industrial biotechnology, human medicine, biosecurity/traceability. 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 May 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, featuring fine wines from both nations. The New Zealand Pavilion is located at Booth 1711, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

For more information on New Zealand and its biotechnology industry, as well as its participation in BIO 2007, please visit www.marketnewzealand.com/bio2007.