Maxine Simmons

Maxine is a New Zealand biotechnology company pioneer having co-founded one of New Zealand’s first biotechnology companies in 1983 and gaining recognition by the Biotechnology community for this work as a recipient of the Distinguished New Zealand Biotechnologist award in June 2000. Currently managing her business consulting company, (BioCatalyst Ltd) which advises early stage biotechnology ventures on commercialisation and capital raising, Maxine is also Chief Executive of the seed co-investment fund Cure Kids Ventures Ltd.

Maxine graduated with an MSc in biological sciences from the University of Auckland and originally worked in medical research before starting her first business venture. She has been very actively involved in the commercialization of science through her own companies, those she has advised in her consultant role and also through her involvement on investment and review committees for Technology New Zealand.

Maxine was previously a director of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, a founding director of Industry New Zealand (now New Zealand Trade and Enterprise) and has been a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors since 1992.

Maxine is Chair of NZBIO, and is a director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for BioDiscovery, Industrial Research, BioCatalyst, Photonz Corporation and KODE Biotech.

Elizabeth Hopkins

Elizabeth Hopkins - Elizabeth is CEO of Wool Equities Ltd. Prior to this position she was CEO of EnCoate Limited. Elizabeth has spent over 15 years successfully commercialising science outcomes and is actively involved in the New Zealand biotech community, being a Board member of NZBIO and a founding member of NZBIO Auckland.

Previous roles include Chief Development Officer at Auckland-based Neuren Pharmaceuticals. Before coming to New Zealand she worked for many years as a senior scientist for Pfizer, at their European headquarters.

Elizabeth trained at Oxford University and holds a First Class Honours degree in Pharmacology. She was also a member of the New Zealand Biotechnology Taskforce.

David Darling

David Darling is the Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Edge Biotechnology Ltd a Dunedin based bio-medical company specializing in the development and commercialisation of novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for the early detection and management of cancer. Prior to PEB David was Director of Business Development and Biotechnology, for Rubicon Ltd.

 David has had considerable experience developing start-up companies and developing early stage technologies. He has been involved in the entrepreneurial development of nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, biotechnology, forestry and horticulture. David has degrees from Massey University and Canterbury University and during his career as a scientist and science manager David has led the development and management of the tree breeding and biotechnology program for Fletcher Challenge Ltd. David was actively involved in the development and start-up of ArborGen, a USA based biotechnology joint venture business between Rubicon and two North American forestry giants, International Paper and MeadWestVaco.  One of the key roles for David has been as Science Manager for Rubicon on the ArborGen joint venture. 

Professor Peter Shepherd

Peter Shepherd - Peter is a Professor at the University of Auckland and the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery. He has a particular interest and experience working at the very important interface between academia and industry.

Professor Shepherd has been a founder of two biotechnology companies spun out from his former base at University College London where he had a variety of roles including CEO and CSO. In recognition for his achievements with his first start-up company he was awarded the London Biotechnology Networks’ Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2002. The second company, Symansis, was successfully migrated from the UK to New Zealand this year and has recently launched its drug discovery tools products for sale worldwide.

He retains a number of positions allowing him to maintain international biotechnology and research linkages. These include being New Zealand representative on the Asia-Pacific Diabetes and Obesity research organisation, Chairman of the Queenstown Molecular Biology Meetings Society and Deputy Chair of the UK based Biochemical Journal.

Peter brings his experience in the European biotechnology industry and his hands on experience in starting up and developing new technology based companies to the NZBIO Board.

Kannan Subramaniam

Kannan Subramaniam - Kannan worked in the New Zealand health system as a physician before switching to a career in the commercial sector. Medical training has provided a good foundation and the discipline to work in environments of shades of grey. He has held leadership roles in a variety of industries including information technology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology. These have spanned the spectrum of company sizes from start-up ventures to corporate-funded business units of multinational companies.

He was the head of joint venture of global pharmaceutical companies (Merck, Glaxo, Lilly & CSL) with an aim to create a price differential for evidence-based pharmaceuticals. Kannan's involvement in start-up companies has been in getting investment ready and commercialising the efforts of R&D. He has worked in Europe, USA, Australia and NZ. More recently, Kannan was the general manager of LactoPharma, a biodiscovery joint venture between the University of Auckland and Fonterra, which aims to create novel ingredients for functional foods, nutraceuticals and biopharmaceuticals. He is currently involved in an array of advisory roles including guiding angel investors in the USA.

NZBIO's regional committee in Auckland with Kannan as the Chairman (2006-2008) have created a vibrant, well networked bioeconomy with a full annual calendar of well-subscribed events. A key outcome has been the participation of Auckland City in supporting the bioeconomy. Kannan is facilitating the way for further regional agency involvement and the provision of sustainability to NZBIO beyond the government assisted period.

Candace Toner

Candace Toner is the Chief Executive Officer of Biomatters Ltd, a multi-award winning, New Zealand based scientific software development company. Biomatters’ flagship application, Geneious Pro, is used for DNA sequence analysis and disease research by tens of thousands of researchers globally.

Having had prior responsibilities in the development of a market vertical approach for health and life sciences for Sun Microsystems and Telecom New Zealand, she is regarded as an evangelist for high performance computing, creative product development and marketing in the health and education industries and enabling innovative collaboration pan sectors. Candace is extremely capable across countries, cultures and companies and is a committed innovator of new approaches to growing businesses in the ICT and health science industries.

Candace graduated with Honors degrees in Anthropology and Political Science from the University of Hawaii and has post-graduate and Master’s degrees in International Business and Management from Massey University in New Zealand. With a wealth of business and market development experience in biotech and technology, Candace is a high-level ‘doer’ with networks world-wide in health, science and technology.