Sam Wojcik: Supporting a stronger ecosystem 

Sam Wojcik is one of our senior commercialisation managers supporting biotech and life sciences research. This past year, he’s been involved in two organisations that are making a positive contribution to growing and connecting New Zealand’s commercialisation ecosystem. He shares his reflections below.

Biotech NZ

“Biotech NZ is Aotearoa’s life science and biotechnology industry body. I have worked closely with Biotech NZ over the last few years to deliver several networking opportunities aiming to connect the broader biotech ecosystem in Wellington (researchers, government, IP attorneys, investors, entrepreneurs, industry groups etc). This year, with support from Wellington UniVentures, I established “Biotech ‘n’ Beers”, an informal monthly gathering of biotech enthusiasts to meet, mingle and foster relationships. This has been a great success and I have met new people at every single gathering we have had. To recognise the leadership me and UniVentures have taken to build collaboration and connection in the ecosystem, I was asked to be the first “Ambassador” for Biotech NZ.”

Rare Disorders Research Network

“Throughout this year, I have been developing a relationship with Rare Disorders New Zealand (RDNZ) to align key research and commercialisation projects coming from Te Herenga Waka in the rare disorders space. A rare disorder is a medical condition that affects a small number of people (1 in 2000 people in NZ). While these disorders are “rare”, there are more than 7000 known disorders, collectively affecting up to 400 million people globally. Many of these diseases remain untreated and there is a significant opportunity to have an impact on patients through the development of new drugs and diagnosticsto help treat their condition. On 29th February this year, to celebrate global Rare Disorder Day, we ran a networking event with RDNZ to connect researchers around Aotearoa, recognising many are working in silos and bringing people together will help New Zealand bring new solutions to patients afflicted by a rare disorder globally.

To recognise this, and UniVentures’ continued role in supporting commercialisation of new solutions for rare disorders, the RDNZ Board and CEO Chris Higgins invited me to be a member of the inaugural Rare Disorders Research Network Leadership Group. My role here as the sole representative from TTOs in New Zealand is to help influence and provide guidance on rare disorder research in New Zealand towards developing commercialisable products. Our first official meeting as a leadership group will be at rare disorders month (March 2025) where Te Herenga Waka and UniVentures will be hosting an event to build momentum from our event in 2024. Watch this space!”