A comparison between New Zealand and Australia’s approach to biotech shows we're doing a lot of things right, but that
government support for the sector in New Zealand could be improved. New Zealand biotech leaders say that if a
comprehensive government strategy isn’t prioritised soon, the sector will continue to fall behind in many areas.
“Both countries have exceptional researchers and huge potential to be leaders in biotech. However, the biotech research
landscape in Australia is backed with far more government funding and resourcing,” says John Robson, General Manager of
Bridgewest Ventures New Zealand.
“We have a unique opportunity to learn from the successes of Australia, and to seek to influence policy at this
important time as the new government pursues input from industry and examples of successful models. New Zealand needs to
invest more into the biotech research landscape to maximise innovation, and time is of the essence,” Robson says.
A 2020 New Zealand Biotechnology Sector Survey by BioTechNZ identified that access to capital was considered, by far,
the most significant constraint for both research and commercialisation activities.
“Not only does Australia provide higher investment capital into research and commercialisation, it also does very well
at marketing itself as a place to innovate. So it’s not that we don’t have a good offering, but that Australia is better
at communicating the benefits of conducting research there, and the associated tax benefits available, and this has
gained them better visibility globally,” says Robson.
Robson points to the recently published AusBiotech Biotechnology Blueprint which provides an outline of the next 10
years for the Australian Biotechnology Industry. Access to capital to support commercialisation and clinical development
is a key factor in the growth of the sector, and this is included along with eight core, critical areas of focus. These
strategic recommendations, says Robson, are identical to the issues in New Zealand and we should seek to follow their
lead starting with a greater focus on public private partnerships, and building out sovereign capabilities with
investment in new infrastructure.
Dr Zahra Champion, Executive Director of BioTechNZ, also says we need to be doing more to showcase New Zealand’s
capability and that the Government should increase support to the biotech sector to create a scalable, thriving and
vibrant ecosystem that will attract global attention.
“NZ also has a rich history in agriculture, human and animal health, however, Australia earned themselves a solid
reputation internationally, by creating long-term strategies and roadmaps,” says Champion.
With a 10-year health research strategy still being worked through, it’s alarming to both Robson and Champion that
to-date a biotech-specific government strategy paper is missing; however, it is promising with the new coalition
government, and with the National Party policy document titled Harnessing Biotech published last year.
“Some of the pressure points for the New Zealand Government, include enhanced funding, lack of infrastructure and
training, retaining and attracting talent, which we can learn from Australia’s intensive capital government investments
in the biotech sector,” says Champion.