The Ministry of Science and Innovation is a key sponsor of the world’s top international agricultural biotechnology conference, being held in New Zealand this year – the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) 2012.
NZBIO, which represents New Zealand’s biotechnology industry, is hosting ABIC 2012 – the annual conference of the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference – with support from AusBiotech, Australia’s biotechnology organisation.
ABIC organisers say the event is attracting an outstanding line up of globally respected agbiotech leaders. The line-up of keynote speakers reflects the depth of investment and commercialisation expertise expected to be at ABIC 2012.
MSI Chief Executive Murray Bain says ABIC is an excellent opportunity for New Zealanders involved in agricultural biotechnology to strengthen their international research and business connections, and learn about the latest developments in the area.
“New Zealand's innovative world class scientists have played a major role in building New Zealand's outstanding international reputation in the agricultural sector over many years. MSI is an important backer of New Zealand's agricultural research and is glad to support this conference. Engagement with the world is key to New Zealand's business and scientific success."
Speakers
Global bio innovation leader Novozymes will be represented by its Regional President of China, Michael Christiansen, who has spent 16 years in Asia. As a board member of the EU Chamber of Commerce to China and the Danish Chamber of Commerce to China, he facilitates trade between the EU and China. Novozymes works with partners across a broad array of industries, including agriculture, bio energy and bio pharmaceuticals, to create new products that are sustainable, affordable and offer superior performance.
Dr Gunter Festel, founder of the Swiss-based advisory and investment firm Festel Capital., will also attend ABIC 2012. The firm supports technology development in areas such as energy, environment, health, materials and nutrition. As well as co-founding biotechnology start-ups in Germany and Switzerland, Dr Festel has worked for Arthur D. Little in Zurich, been a consultant for McKinsey, and held management roles in research and development and marketing for Bayer. He has written numerous books and more than 250 publications on topics such as biotechnology, buy-outs, innovation management and start ups/spin offs.
They will be joined by leading New Zealand-born Professor of Animal Science Dorian Garrick who holds the Jay Lush Chair in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Iowa State University. Professor Garrick has been integrally involved in the development and implementation of national animal evaluation programmes, performance recording databases and breeding schemes.
NZBIO Chair Dr Paul Tan says: “We have a cross section of global leaders in their field confirmed to attend the event. Those people will not only lead debate on critical issues facing the world, such as food security and sustainable food production, they will also inspire innovative and collaborative solutions. Dr Tan expects the strong speaker line-up to encourage registrations from throughout New Zealand and Australia and around the world.
“This really is a not-to-be-missed event on the agricultural biotechnology calendar.”
The event will take place in Rotorua in September.
Further information
Lynley Browne Tel +64 21 226 8223
Email lynleybrowne@abic2012.com
Web www.abic2012.com 
