Awards Great News For NZ Biotechnology

15 September 2004

Awards Great News For NZ Biotechnology

This year’s Marsden Fund awards will be a shot in the arm for biotech-related research in New Zealand, NZBio CEO Brian Ward says.

Last week the Fund’s administrators announced 69 new research projects will receive $33.3 million over the next three years. Of those awards, around a third are for biotechnology-related research.

“NZBio is extremely pleased to see a significant financial contribution being made to support research in this country, and that biotech projects have again been so successful in the awards,” Mr Ward said.

“However, it is vital that funding for research in New Zealand increases, if we are to achieve the Biotechnology Taskforce’s recommendation that investment in biotech research reaches $300 million per annum over the next five years.

“Competition for the Marsden Fund is strong, with only seven percent of applications being successful. We are very encouraged by the high rate of successful projects that fall into the Fund’s biotech category.

“NZBio congratulates all Marsden Fund applicants, they are the proof that New Zealand’s pool of talented researchers continues to go from strength to strength.”

ENDS

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