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Manawatu to develop world leading animal health
center Manawatu is poised to develop a
world leading animal health research centre, building on the
research skills of Massey University’s Institute of Veterinary
Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS) and AgResearch.
The economic development agency, Vision Manawatu,
has secured NZTE funding to begin assessing the region’s animal
health research capability.
The assessment is aimed at developing a
world-renowned centre of excellence in animal health research and
commercialisation of animal remedies, which will be based at Massey
University.
Associate Director Maxine Yule said, “There is
considerable opportunity for international positioning in animal
health research and stronger relationships with commercial
interests. This funding will help provide expert support to define
these opportunities and provide a clear direction.
“We need to identify areas where our capability is
internationally competitive; the key issues affecting
commercialisation; and how to improve the interface between
researchers and end-users,” she said. “It is critical that we begin
planning for such an important centre now.”
Head of IVABS Professor Grant Guilford said the plan was to
facilitate the clustering of commercial companies about this science
base, to reduce the risk of new product development for New
Zealand's small to medium enterprises.
“The region already has a number of companies with
an interest in animal health, as well as companies with more generic
expertise to protect intellectual property and invest in its
development,” Professor Guilford said.
“This, along with the world-class 'process
engineering' skills of Massey's Institute of Technology and
Engineering, offers the Manawatu region a unique strategic
opportunity that we must make every effort to capitalise on."
New Zealand already has a competitive advantage in
animal health with its excellent animal health status. Innovative
animal remedies and health solutions will become increasingly
important for New Zealand producers and exporters in the face of
increasing consumer awareness of food chain safety.
The Manawatu is home to some key bioindustry
stakeholders, including Fonterra, four Crown Research Institutes,
New Zealand Pharmaceuticals and the BioCommerce Centre. The presence
of a centre for excellence for animal health is likely to attract
private sector research teams and specialised manufacturing
facilities, which will have considerable economic benefits for the
region and the country.
Vision Manawatu Media Release, 22 December 2004 |
