Partnerships signal greater access to R&D for NZ business

12 August 2013

Partnerships signal greater access to R&D for NZ business

Growth and innovation across New Zealand will be strengthened through a partnership announced today.

Auckland UniServices Ltd, the R&D consultancy company of The University of Auckland, and three other research organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Callaghan Innovation. The collaboration is expected to speed up the process of turning ideas from New Zealand businesses into new products and services.

Callaghan Innovation Chief Executive Mary Quin welcomed the engagement. “These partnerships will deliver true value for New Zealand firms, helping to connect them with an integrated innovation system where they have access to globally excellent research, development and commercialisation services” she says.

Chairman of UniServices and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Auckland, Professor Stuart McCutcheon says: “The partnership recognises the importance of bringing business and world-leading research together and the subsequent high value contributions which can be achieved for New Zealand.”

UniServices is New Zealand’s most prolific innovation company with a turnover in excess of $132m in 2012, and is the power behind the successful commercialisation of wireless technologies such as Halo IPT wireless vehicles and PowerbyProxi.

The company is currently engaged in many medical, pharmaceutical, biotech innovations research activities from artificial muscles to intelligent lighting, nano-materials, food structure and agricultural systems and regularly partners with many large New Zealand brands including Fisher & Paykel, Comvita, and Fonterra.

Mark Burgess, General Manager of Research and Consulting at UniServices, says the Callaghan announcement signals the development of a more cohesive and effective framework which will support New Zealand businesses to become more competitive across wide sectors and multiple markets.

“In particular, this new and ‘joined-up’ innovation system will provide business with greater access to research partners, business and funding support. It will also help business achieve greater visibility to attract venture capital to maximise both research and development and return on investment in New Zealand,” says Mark.

Callaghan Innovation has also signed strategic partnerships with KiwiNet, Lincoln Agritech and Scion.

Auckland UniServices Ltd
Auckland UniServices Ltd is the largest research and development company of its kind in Australasia and is a wholly-owned company of The University of Auckland.

UniServices manages the intellectual property of The University of Auckland and is responsible for all research-based consultancy partnerships, contract education and commercialisation.

ENDS

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