NZ | Technology + Innovation + Agriculture

[SYDNEY]

New Pacific cable link plan unveiled

An Auckland-based company appears to be planning another internet link out of New Zealand, just a month after Pacific Fibre abandoned its cable project. Hawaiki Cable, set up in May this year, has revealed a blueprint for a 10,000 km cable between New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii. This main cable will also have branches running to Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Wallis, Samoa and American Samoa. According to Hawaiki's website, the venture hopes to "stimulate economic growth by eliminating the double tyranny of distance and over-priced international bandwidth". As well as this it will "introduce true competition in New Zealand and in the connected Pacific Islands" dropping the cost of internet access, the website said. According to a report on the Pacific Scoop website the proposed cable will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and aims to be completed by 2014.

InternetNZ chief executive Vikram Kumar said the cable would be positive for the New Zealand market, but believed it could struggle to get funding. "They'll definitely make a difference if they succeed. The question is funding, that's what it comes down to. This particular cable is probably going to have to compete with another. Pacific Island cable which is backed by the World Bank. When demand gets fragmented in that way funding becomes very hard," he said. Pacific Fibre, backed by Trade Me founder Sam Morgan, hoped to build an internet cable between New Zealand, Australia and the United States but announced last month it had failed to gather enough funds for the build. Kumar guessed the Hawaiki project would have a 50/50 chance of success. If the venture gets up and running it would rival the Southern Cross cable system, which is currently New Zealand's only international internet link.

[SYDNEY]

Local cancer drug approved for first clinical trial in United States and New Zealand

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for PR610, an anticancer “stealth” drug invented in New Zealand, to move forward to human clinical trials through its approval of an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for the drug. The first clinical trial, a phase I/II study, will be conducted at Auckland City Hospital, Waikato Hospital and sites in the United States. Patient enrolment is expected to commence in the coming weeks. Initially, the trial will recruit small groups of study-eligible patients to different dose levels of PR610 followed by monitoring of its side-effects, blood levels and anti-tumour activity. PR610 belongs to an exciting new class of hypoxia-activated pro-drugs for the treatment of cancer, designed by Dr Jeff Smaill and Dr Adam Patterson from the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre (ACSRC) and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery. It is licensed to Proacta Incorporated, a San Diego based biotechnology company that last year engaged in the collaboration for research, development, and commercialisation of PR610 in Japan with Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 2267).

Proacta announced today that the IND had been approved, allowing this novel first-in-class treatment to enter human trials. Initial development of PR610 will focus on patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have become resistant to reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as erlotinib and /or gefitinib. Currently there is no effective treatment when these patients relapse. The phase I part of the phase I/II trial will investigate suitable doses in patients with solid tumours, before moving on to focus on patients with this type of cancer in the phase II part of the trial. PR610, which specifically targets low-oxygen (hypoxic) regions in tumours, has shown promising activity in the laboratory. “The tumour dose intensity achieved by this hypoxia targeting technology results in striking anti-cancer activity,” says Dr Smaill. “We were particularly impressed when we compared PR610 to existing clinical candidates,” adds Dr Patterson. “Only PR610 was able to shrink the drug-resistant lung cancer models.” “PR610 will be the second novel hypoxia prodrug from the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre to be taken to clinical trial by Proacta, and speaks to the continued innovation achieved by our staff in cancer chemotherapy,” says ACSRC Co-Director Distinguished Professor Bill Denny.

“It’s especially pleasing to see clinical trials of new drugs being held in New Zealand,” says John Loof, CEO of the Cancer Society Auckland Division. “Local patients can be some of the first involved in furthering our understanding of how these targeted medicines can make such a difference. Cancer Society donors and supporters can feel well satisfied that they have underpinned yet another exciting step forward in cancer medicine.” “This exciting new therapy ushers in a new era of personalised medicine in New Zealand. For the first time we will be screening patients for the genetic mutation that causes drug resistance and then enrolling them in a trial of a New Zealand drug designed to target that mutation,” says ACSRC Co-Director, Associate Professor Mark McKeage, the Clinical Oncologist leading the Auckland City Hospital trial, referring to the phase II part of the phase I/II trial. “Our scientists are inventing drugs at the forefront of the international fight against cancer,” says Professor Rod Dunbar, Director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre. “The progression of this first-in-class cancer drug to clinical trials is a great credit to New Zealand and offers further hope for our cancer patients.”

[SYDNEY]

World Economic Forum dubs NZ's Lanzatech ‘future-changing'

Auckland-based biofuels pioneer Lanzatech has been tipped by the influential World Economic Forum as "an industry-changing company with the potential to transform the future. Already highly decorated with a string of innovation and bio-technology awards and contracts to work with the US defence and aerospace industries, as well as steel mills and refineries in China and India, the latest award is significant because of the WEF's global clout. The company has attracted investment from billionaire US clean-tech investor Vinod Khosla and the founder of the Virgin empire, Sir Richard Branson, along with noted New Zealand investors including Warehouse founder Sir Stephen Tindall. Lanzatech has been named a WEF Technology Pioneer, a 12 year-old programme that has recognised more than 400 companies, including Twitter, Wikimedia, and Technorati, and will receive the award at a global forum in Tianjin, China, next month. Lanzatech has succeeded in attracting investment and scientific collaboration with top Chinese government science agencies, with its enzyme-based process for turning waste carbon monoxide gas flows from major industrial plant and producing biofuels.

The company has previously talked of an intention to list on a sharemarket in the next two years, with a head listing likely in either the US or China, but NZX listing also a likelihood. Meanwhile, documents lodged with the Companies Office show that, consistent with its status as an early stage venture capital company, Lanzatech made a $17.6 million loss in the nine months to Dec. 31, in a set of accounts that don't allow direct comparisons with the previous year owing to a balance date change. In the 12 months to March 31, 2011, the company had reported a $14.2 million loss. The most recent nine month result reflected a $2.3 million impact from the strength of the New Zealand dollar. Total revenues from grants for the nine months was $2.7 million, against total operating expenses of $16.2 million. It was carrying assets of $73.5 million on its books at Dec. 31, of which $52.1 million was in cash or cash equivalents, following successful equity raisings during the period, and compares with total assets of $15.3 million at March 31 last year. Total accumulated losses stood at $50.9 million at Dec. 31.

[SYDNEY]

Rakon/Huawei Technology Partnership

Technology company Rakon (RAK) will today sign a letter of intent with Chinese Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. The deal targets a quadrupling of Rakon’s sales to Huawei over the next five years to USD56 million. Rakon’s product range, advanced technology and competitiveness were significant factors for Huawei, who will use the company’s frequency control products in its handsets, smart devices and infrastructure programmes. Rakon Managing Director, Brent Robinson, says the company had been working closely with Huawei for some years. “The letter of intent recognises the greater scale and breadth of our product range, validates our commitment to a strategy of globalisation and our investment in operations in China.” He credits the assistance of Trade Minister, Tim Groser and NZ Trade and Enterprise in helping facilitate the deal and the 2011 trade mission to China that was a catalyst for the enhanced relationship with Huawei.

The signing ceremony, held at NZTE’s Wellington office, will be attended by Mr. Ping Guo, Huawei Deputy Chairman and the Letter of Intent signed by Mr. Fuhai Yao, Huawei President of Global Procurement. “This is a significant partnership for Huawei, with Rakon providing crucial electronic components,” a Huawei spokesman said. “Huawei’s supply chain is truly global, with only the most impressive and competitive suppliers selected. Rakon’s success is testament to New Zealand’s ability to produce world-leading products and innovations.” NZTE Chief Executive Peter Chrisp congratulates Rakon and Huawei on their partnership: “I’m pleased to congratulate Rakon and Huawei on their announcement today. Successful global partnerships are key to the growth of New Zealand companies internationally. “Rakon’s advanced technology tells a great story for New Zealand, and their commitment to China and the potential it offers is a good example of what a long-term approach can deliver,” Mr Chrisp says.

[SYDNEY]

Proposed INNOVATION PRECINCT for Auckland:

[SYDNEY]

IBM teams up with Unitec Institute of Technology for its first delivery centre in New Zealand

09 August 2012

IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced it will work with Unitec Institute of Technology, an Auckland based tertiary education provider, to establish the first IBM New Zealand Delivery Centre.Based at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus, the Delivery Centre will open in February 2013 and will employ full-time and part-time professionals, and Unitec graduate and current students. IBM anticipates that the Delivery Centre will employ up to 400 people within the next two years.This announcement adds to IBM’s long history of collaborating with the tertiary sector to develop graduates with the right skills to work in today’s services oriented economy. Under the agreement, IBM and Unitec will implement a number of collaborative initiatives including extended industry based ‘Earn As You Learn’ placements. It will also provide students studying for IT, business management and communications degrees with valuable experience working in the IT industry as part of their studies. IBM's investment in the Unitec collaboration will also enable annual scholarship programmes and jointly developed guest lectures, mentoring,internship and graduate hire programmes. The partnership will be based on IBM’s successful model at the Ballarat Delivery Centre in Australia. The Centre was established in 2005 and continues to create employment and economic benefits in Victoria.The IBM New Zealand Delivery Centre will strengthen and expand IBM’s global footprint of Global Process Services, adding to over 50 delivery centers across five continents.

The Centre will provide IBM’s clients with innovative business process and ICT services, in areas including Human Resources, Supply Chain Management and Finance & Administration, Customer Relationship Management; Remote Technical and ICT support, and Consulting.These services will use advanced analytics to maximize operations, cut costs and provide continuous innovation for IBM’s clients.“Working with a highly respected global company will give our students the head start they need to get a great job when they graduate,” says Unitec Chief Executive, Rick Ede.“Bringing innovative businesses such as IBM into the education environment is about matching the skills of our students with the demands of business and providing students with the experience they need to make a difference in their communities and in New Zealand.”This collaboration is also a game-changer by demonstrating that tertiary providers, through creative partnering with business, can be direct contributors to business and productivity growth extending way beyond traditional boundaries. Jennifer Moxon, Managing Director, IBM New Zealand said, “This is a great example of close collaboration between industry and the education sector to provide economic benefits and employment for the next generation of New Zealanders.”“The collaboration with Unitec will develop graduates with the right skills to work in tomorrow’s services oriented digital economy as well as create job opportunities for New Zealanders. By bringing global investment and leading practices to New Zealand our objective is to establish a strategic delivery centre for our global and local client base,” said Ms Moxon.

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Local cancer drug approved for first clinical trial in United States and New Zealand

<snip>

Syd, you really should start linking to where you get articles from as per the "fair use" policy of SSC. I know where this press release came from as I know many of the scientists involved in this (as I worked with them). Please ensure that there are links to the source of actual media releases and do not post full media releases on SSC as outlined in the post by Jan on this subject.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

Syd, you really should start linking to where you get articles from as per the "fair use" policy of SSC. I know where this press release came from as I know many of the scientists involved in this (as I worked with them). Please ensure that there are links to the source of actual media releases and do not post full media releases on SSC as outlined in the post by Jan on this subject.

Good luck policing the whole of SSC - there are literally hundreds of threads where you will find the same format as mine. Happy hunting

[SYDNEY]

“Don’t underestimate Wellingtonians” says ThinkPlace

[SYDNEY]

NZ’s global competitiveness improves, as does our sustainable edge

[SYDNEY]

Tūhoe HQ hopes to set the standard for living buildings

At the end of January 2013, construction will begin on a central office that will form the headquarters for eastern North Island iwi Tūhoe. But it will be an office with a difference. The structure – Te Wharehou o Tūhoe – will attempt to become internationally recognised as a ‘living building’, a building that gives to the environment as much as it takes. Living buildings take their inspiration from flowers, drawing all their requirements for water and energy from the sun, wind and rain. The project has seen a combination of creative visions, from one of the oldest practicing architects in New Zealand to one of the youngest Maori leaders. In this video, they document their story to date, or you can keep up with the latest on Facebook.

[SYDNEY]

Christchurch’s EPIC tech hub on fast track

The Ministry of Science and Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise are working in partnership with Christchurch City Council and the private sector to establish the Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus (EPIC) on the corner of Tuam and Manchester Streets at the edge of Christchurch’s Red Zone. The land is being provided rent-free by the council and the project finally got the green light in December. EPIC has been financed by BNZ and underwritten by the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust.

EPIC’s tenants are:

1. Astron Media
2. Brush Technology
3. Cerebral Fix
4. Concentrate
5. Effectus
6. Fraame
7. Hand Multi-media
8. Industrial Research (IRL)
9. Left Click
10. Memia
11. Paua Productions
12. Pilot Consulting Group
13. RPM Retail
14. SLI Systems
15. Spore Tools
16. Stickmen Studios
17. Treshna Enterprises
18. BNZ

[SYDNEY]

NZ moves up Global Innovation Index

New Zealand has been ranked 13th in the world in the 2012 Global Innovation Index – up two places from 2011. The report, which analyses innovation in 141 countries, also ranks New Zealand third in the Asia and Oceania region after Singapore and Hong Kong. “The 2012 Global Innovation Index recognises the good progress New Zealand is making as a smart and innovative country to do business,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says. “The index is one of the most widely cited composite indicators of national competitiveness and New Zealand has scored highly on the ease of starting a business, education, knowledge creation and the number of new businesses per capita.” ....

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Good luck policing the whole of SSC - there are literally hundreds of threads where you will find the same format as mine. Happy hunting

Now now, prior to that media release I didn't realise that the articles you quoted were exact replicas of media releases, I thought they were your own writing (as I don't have time to follow much NZ news). I just noticed that this media release was a word-for-word of something I know quite well given I'm involved in the subject. It was more a friendly heads up rather than me policing you. I would hate to have your hard work deleted like so many posts have been now that SSC has had to tighten up on such things.

Big thanks for linking in your future posts, I've noticed you've done that in the rest of this thread.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

Now now, prior to that media release I didn't realise that the articles you quoted were exact replicas of media releases, I thought they were your own writing (as I don't have time to follow much NZ news). I just noticed that this media release was a word-for-word of something I know quite well given I'm involved in the subject. It was more a friendly heads up rather than me policing you. I would hate to have your hard work deleted like so many posts have been now that SSC has had to tighten up on such things.

Big thanks for linking in your future posts, I've noticed you've done that in the rest of this thread.

I wasn't being facetious, just stating that you have one helluva job ahead of you

[SYDNEY]

Businesses line up for Wynyard Quarter's Innovation Precinct

Businesses and companies have shown ''considerable'' interest in moving into an innovation centre being developed at Wynyard Quarter, according to a council report. In October last year Auckland Council announced plans to turn the waterfront area into a ''mini Silicon Valley'' by transforming a 8.4 acre area into a mixed use, living and working, innovation precinct. ''The precinct will be a high profile location in which high-value technology firms cluster, develop products and applications, showcase clever technology solutions, launch globally and attract international investment attention,'' a report to the council's Economic Forum reads. The precinct would be an ''urban village'' and is pitched primarily at the information and communications technologies and digital sectors. The report says a detailed business case had been completed for the project and an implementation plan is due to be finished next month ... MORE

[SYDNEY]

Fisher & Paykel showed the Kiwi can-do attitude from the start

One of the remarkable things about Fisher & Paykel is the attitude the company established at the outset, says Ian Hunter, business historian and former associate professor at the University of Auckland Business School. When New Zealand instigated foreign trade restrictions in 1938, and the entire business looked desolate, Woolf Fisher looked at other ways forward. That attitude, coupled with their export-driven orientation set the company apart. "We always think of the deregulation of the New Zealand economy in the 80s as being what freed up our global links with trade, but Fisher & Paykel began their export drive in the 70s, and they were already three steps ahead of the game," said Hunter .... MORE

[SYDNEY]

NZ Video Games Industry Continues to Grow

Kiwi game studios released 73 commercial video games in the last year, primarily selling them digitally on iPhones, websites and Android smartphones. The local industry has nearly doubled in the last two years and employed 380 full-time equivalent game developers as of 31 March 2012, according to a survey of NZ Game Developers Association members. 39% of those people are artists, 39% are programmers, with additional roles mainly in marketing and management. “Gaming is a high tech, high growth industry that is at the forefront of digital business models,” says NZGDA chairperson Stephen Knightly. “We’ve learnt how to make money from business models like digital distribution, freemium, virtual goods and crowdfunding. Exporting and acting global from day one have been key to the industry’s growth.” 97% of kiwi games were digital downloads with low distribution costs and higher margins .... MORE

[SYDNEY]

NZ tops OECD list for education spend

New Zealand has topped the list of 34 OECD countries for the amount of money spent on education. The OECD annual report on education was released overnight and said New Zealand directed 21.2 per cent of its public spending to education, Radio New Zealand reported. The data was from 2009 figures. New Zealand has overtaken the previous top country, Mexico, by nearly one percentage point. The OECD average was 13 per cent. The report also found New Zealand spent 7.2 per cent of its gross domestic product on education, with only Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland exceeding that amount.

[SYDNEY]

$92m awarded for ingenious projects

The Government has awarded $92 million for a range of ingenious projects aimed at boosting New Zealand's high-tech manufacturing sector. Science reporter Jamie Morton takes a look at some of the bright ideas ... MORE