New Zealand is one of the world’s most efficient agricultural economies and boasts a reputation for producing internationally significant scientific research. This combination of agricultural and scientific excellence has provided a strong base for New Zealand to thrive in a field that calls on science and nature to solve issues impacting on the environment, health and resource management.
Biotechnology – the use of living organisms to create food, drugs and other products – is increasingly being seen as a solution for some of the world’s biggest dilemmas. Spanning sub-Antarctic and subtropical regions, New Zealand’s geography provides access to a wealth of bioactive material, sourced from the varied microbial, plant and animal life.
Pairing this richness in bioactive resources with world-class scientists and bioprocessing technologies, New Zealand is ideally positioned to take these high-value molecules to the world.
New Zealand has already emerged as a leader in biotechnology, developing transformative technologies in diverse areas like human health and performance, industrial biotech and agricultural biotechnology. Companies like CoDa Therapeutics, ZyGEM, Biopolymer Network and Grasslanz have made breakthrough discoveries in wound repair, DNA extraction, novel biopolymers and superior pastures.
On New Zealand’s biotechnology...
“I believe the science is excellent; the business attitude is very constructive and open to new ideas; the government is supportive; the physical location makes it feasible to look for business opportunities in Asia, North American and Europe with equal ease.” - Marcia Kean, CEO, Feinstein Kean Healthcare
For more information
Download the biotechnology sector overview (PDF, 805KB)
