News - Success Stories

Hamilton, New Zealand - 5 May, 2009 - Solenza has developed a revolutionary new way to harness the power of the sun to generate electricity and heat water by integrating long run roofing iron with a solar energy transfer system. Solenza’s patented technology, a shift away from bolt on solar energy panels, uses the surface area of the roof to convert solar energy from the solar cells directly into electricity for commercial, industrial and household use.

Solenza was set up by WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, to commercialise the new roofing technology.

WaikatoLink’s Chief Executive Mark Stuart says, “We’re very excited about the market potential of Solenza’s solar roofing technology. Solar energy is receiving a lot of attention as cost cutting, self-sufficiency, and environmental concerns are boosting the uptake of alternative energy solutions globally. Solenza is a great example of how we can leverage world class research from the university to produce products that meet real market needs.”

Solenza works in partnership with the Solar Engineering Research Group at the University of Waikato led by Dr Mike Duke. The group developed the process of integrating solar photovoltaic technology into roofing iron to drive down payback time, reduce cost and produce greater efficiencies. The photovoltaic system, which is made of silicon and other materials, responds to light and causes electrons to become excited and move through the silicon. This conversion of radiant energy from the sun into direct current electricity is known as the photovoltaic effect.

Trials have shown Solenza’s system to be extremely efficient; up to 70% of the solar energy is converted into useful energy. The built in thermal cooling system ensures more solar energy is harnessed to generate electricity. Water is also heated as part of this process, a significant benefit as heating water accounts for up to 40 per cent of a household’s electricity bill. Solenza expects to achieve further efficiency gains and increased energy yield through continued development of the integrated photovoltaic devices.

New Zealand is well positioned to harness solar energy as it has on average about 2000 hours of bright sunshine each year. In energy terms, New Zealand’s solar energy resource is about 4 kWh/ m2 per day.

Mark Stuart says, “The potential of solar energy is largely untapped. If every New Zealand home had its roof covered in photovoltaic panels, they would collectively generate enough power in a year to satisfy over a quarter of New Zealand’s annual electricity needs. Millions of tonnes of CO ² emissions would also be saved.”

Solenza has already attracted inquiries from companies in the USA and India from parties interested in partnering to take the technology into those countries.

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iPhone apps boom creates opportunities for WaikatoLink

Hamilton, New Zealand, 4 May 2009 – The Apple App Store is leading the application-download trend and WaikatoLink is sharing in that success with 150,000 downloads of their iPhone applications to date. The enormous success of the Apple iPhone has seen the number of contributions by individual developers boost the App Store’s offerings to more than 25,000 applications. WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, have launched five applications in recent months including an airplane simulator, vehicle performance accelerometer, and a snow globe.

WaikatoLink Chief Executive Mark Stuart says, “We were one of the first in New Zealand to become official iPhone developers. The App Store has provided a great opportunity to leverage the skills of our developers. All mobile devices are getting smarter and people are willing to pay to do more with their phone than just talk. And it’s not just about the iPhone. Centralised online stores allow developers to get applications onto devices quickly. The path from development to customer has been radically changed with this new model.”

WaikatoLink Technology Development Manager Bram Smith says, “Developing our own portfolio of applications has been invaluable not only from a technical perspective, but also in terms of the insights we’ve gained into what makes an application successful. The most popular applications are often those that are simple, quirky and fun.”

The Red Baron, the most popular WaikatoLink application with 10,000 downloads a week, uses the iPhone accelerometer to simulate the sound of a World War 1 biplane complete with machine guns and bombs. Red Baron reacts to hand movements and the direction and speed of the hand movement translates to the sound of a plane diving or climbing or with its engine under load.

PowerCurve, another popular application, also uses the iPhone accelerometer combined with other vehicle measurements to allow a vehicle’s performance – speed, power, acceleration and torque - to be calculated and graphed so users can compare trips and assess vehicle performance. Other applications include: Frosty which turns the iPhone into a snow globe and allows users to build their own snow man and add pictures; Mouse Trap where users attempt to steal cheese from a loaded mouse trap; and Diamond Mine where users trace a path through a series of dark mazes using a light to find hidden diamonds.

“Bram Smith says, “We have several more iPhone applications in the pipeline. We’re also keen to talk to companies that have an idea they want developed - whether it’s a game, a business tool or part of their brand marketing strategy.”

“We can develop applications for the iPhone from scratch or we can translate applications from other platforms such as PC, PlayStation or Xbox. We’re also looking to the future and developing expertise across other mobile device platforms.”

The Apple App Store site has had more than 800 million downloads since its launch eight months ago. Other mobile device providers are looking to emulate the success of the Apple App Store model which provides a centralised place for the distribution and sale of applications. Nokia has announced that their Ovi store is due to open in May 2009; Microsoft have announced that their Windows® Marketplace for Mobile will launch in the last quarter of 2009; while Research in Motion opened their BlackBerry App World store on April 1st this year.

For a full list of WaikatoLink iPhone applications visit http://www.ilinkapps.com/

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WaikatoLink joins International Incubation Initiative (Icube)

Hamilton, New Zealand, 23 April 2009 ?WaikatoLink has been named as one of the first members of the International Incubation Initiative, Icube, launched by Exploit Technologies at the New Zealand Business Forum in Singapore yesterday. Icube was set up to encourage innovation, new opportunities, collaboration and international business linkages through greater access to incubators internationally.

WaikatoLink Chief Executive Mark Stuart says, “Good networks and support services are vital for growing New Zealand businesses wanting to achieve success in overseas markets. Singapore provides a great leveraging platform for our technologies and ventures, particularly due to their interest in innovation and collaboration. There is also an abundance of private sector capital to tap into.”

Icube will help start-ups from WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, and other participating incubators find business partners, customers and investors in the South East Asia market.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon Murray McCully, was a Guest of Honour at the Forum to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Exploit Technologies and the new partners. The agreement outlined collaborative activities and services designed to help start-ups increase their global presence, including: provision of a virtual international office, use of office space, extended international incubation for business engagement or research and development, mentoring and advisory services, and access to angel networks.

Mr Boon Swan Foo, Executive Chairman of Exploit Technologies said, "In recent years, the number of global start-ups is growing; and the collective potential of global start-ups as a powerful economic engine begins to emerge. Having a robust network of partners who can provide support services to homegrown start?ups overseas will eliminate some of the risk for these new entrants.”

WaikatoLink currently has nine high potential subsidiary companies under incubation. WaikatoLink’s successful incubator, VentureLink, has operated for a number of years for ventures based on University of Waikato science and technology. WaikatoLink’s incubation expertise was opened up to entrepreneurs and other organisations last year as part of the university’s commitment to innovation and regional economic development.

WaikatoLink’s Icube membership builds on other global linkages the company has established recently. Last year WaikatoLink partnered with Tsinghua University in Beijing to open up a commercialisation pathway into China; secured a relationship with the Market Access Centre in the US; and joined Singapore’s Technology Transfer Network (TTN), an international alliance formed in 2008 to accelerate the commercialisation of technology to industry.

WaikatoLink’s Mark Stuart was also invited to present at the New Zealand Business Forum on New Zealand’s world?leading research capability in biotechnology and the fit with Singapore’s science commercialisation expertise and resources. The presentation and panel discussion outlined thriving partnerships already in existence and considers possibilities for future cooperation.

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iCalibra Module Delivers NIR Instrument Standardization Breakthrough

Hamilton, New Zealand, December 12, 2008 – Khipu Systems, developer of the iCalibra software platform for NIR, today announced that it has developed a breakthrough in the area of NIR instrument standardization.

The iCalibra Standardization module allows single calibration models which provide accurate results from dispersive and FT instrument technologies simultaneously. Significantly, the standardization processes are integrated within the predictive models, so the models and standardization layers are capable of automated re-learning and enhancement.

This means that NIR instrument selection can become truly independent of existing calibration data sets.

“Users will be free to select the best instrument for their needs, without being influenced by the ‘legacy burden’ of years of collected spectra that locks them into their existing instrument brand. This is a development that will be welcomed by end users and instrument manufacturers alike” says Mark Stuart, Chairman, Khipu Systems.

iCalibra is a next generation software platform that revolutionizes what is possible with NIR. The iCalibra Standardization module is just one of a suite of modules derived from the iCalibra software platform, with other modules providing features such as; sample specific confidence scores, automated model building, model proving ground, automated data acquisition and exchange, auto archiving and retrieval of spectral and reference data, automated pre-treatment of calibration set data, data fusion, quality assurance modelling, classification and instrument diagnostics.

“Early deployments of iCalibra have resulted in extraordinary return on investment for users, leading to significant interest in the technology from all over the world,” says Mr Stuart.

Khipu intends to make the entire suite of modules available to customers worldwide early next year.

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Unicom consortium appoints top talent to investment committee

Hamilton, New Zealand – 28 November 2008 Unicom, a university commercialisation consortium comprised of WaikatoLink, AUT University, Lincoln University and Canterprise, has appointed the Hon Ruth Richardson, Dr Mark Ahn and Mr Bill Day to an investment committee responsible for overseeing millions in pre-seed investment funds awarded to help commercialise research from the universities.

The Unicom consortium was awarded $4.9 million government pre-seed funding by the Foundation of Science Research and Technology (FRST) earlier in the year. The funds will be employed to unleash the economic potential from the intellectual property in the universities. Collectively the universities receive $4.935 million over 3 years, the largest amount paid from the PreSeed Fund designed to maximise the commercial benefits to New Zealand from publicly funded research.

Mr Mark Stuart, Chief Executive, WaikatoLink says, “We’re delighted to attract such high calibre talent and it is a reflection of the commercial potential of our early stage technologies and the important role university IP will play in the future economic wellbeing of New Zealand. The investment committee will play a key role in helping to prioritise consortium projects and guiding them towards investor readiness. The collective international business experience of our new directors will add a huge amount of commercial capability.”

The Hon Ruth Richardson joins the investment committee as an independent director. A former New Zealand Minister of Finance, she has considerable involvement in the local and international business community chairing Jade Software Corporation Limited, the IMP Diversified Income Fund Limited, SYFT, British Telecom’s Health Advisory Board and the KULA Fund. Ruth Richardson is also a director of the LECG Corporation, Oyster Bay Marlborough Vineyards Limited, Synlait Limited and Ruth Richardson (New Zealand) Limited.

Mr Bill Day and Dr Mark Ahn have also been appointed as independent directors.

Mr Day, one of New Zealand’s leading entrepreneurs, is founder and chief executive of Seaworks, a multimillion-dollar global marine technology company. His company has pioneered techniques for seismic surveying, underwater salvage and the repair and laying of underwater cables and is regarded as the world leader in its field. He is a former Ernst & Young, New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner and is vice chairman of the New Zealand Business Roundtable.

Dr Ahn, Chair in Science and Technology Entrepreneurship at Victoria University, has a track record in successfully commercialising science and technology-based innovations. Career highlights include leading a biopharmaceutical cancer care company to a NASDAQ listing and an oncology therapeutic franchise to $1 billion in revenues. He serves on several NASDAQ and private boards including RXi Pharmaceuticals and Access Pharmaceuticals. He is also Chairman of ZyGEM’s newly formed Clinical Advisory Board.

The independent directors will join representatives from each of the university commercialisation groups; Mr Mark Stuart, Chief Executive of WaikatoLink, the commercialisation company of the University of Waikato; Dr Peter John, Director of Research and Commercialisation at Lincoln University; Mr Raiyo Nariman, acting Chief Executive of Canterprise, the University of Canterbury's knowledge transfer company; and Mr Kevin Pryor, Chief Executive of AUT Enterprises, the commercialisation arm of AUT University.

The consortium approach is a first for the PreSeed Fund. Working collaboratively each group will share their knowledge, expertise, and local and international networks. The fund has the potential to fund dozens of projects from the consortium. The goal for the consortium is to generate the substantial returns WaikatoLink generated from previous PreSeed funding.

“Unicom is extremely well positioned as we work to translate the research outcomes from the consortium into commercial technologies,” says Mr Stuart.

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New Zealand university commercialisation groups join global Technology Transfer Network

New Zealand - 26 November 2008 Commercialisation groups from three New Zealand Universities; AUT University’s AUT Innovation and Enterprise, The University of Auckland’s UniServices and University of Waikato’s WaikatoLink have been named as new members of the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), a collaborative alliance of technology transfer offices formed to enhance the effectiveness of technology transfer to industry.

The Singapore-headquartered Technology Transfer Network allows members to leverage one another’s experience in various industries and different geographical regions, share best practice and resources, and collaborate on networking opportunities to enhance their technology commercialisation and innovation efforts globally. The network offers members IP cluster mapping, training and certification of TTO professionals, joint marketing and events and technology advisory services.

TTN, founded in February 2008, has twenty two members across Asia, United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand, including angel investors, venture capitalists and research institutes.

Mr Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive, AUT Innovation and Enterprise, AUT University's business development and commercial arm said, “AUT Innovation and Enterprise has had strong links in Singapore for a number of years. Through these contacts a number of our start up companies have accessed markets, technology development capability, distribution networks and capital in various parts of Asia. We are delighted to be affiliated to the Technology Transfer Network and look forward to working collaboratively with the other members to the benefit of everyone involved.”

Mr Mark Stuart, Chief Executive, WaikatoLink Limited, the University of Waikato’s commercialisation company, added, “We work globally so connectedness, visibility and effective knowledge exchange is vital. The Technology Transfer Network will expose us to new contacts and collaboration partners which will lead to new market opportunities. TTN also provides a great platform for members around the world to exchange local knowledge on areas such as IP protection, investment and commercialisation. We also look forward to sharing best practice with the other network members, as we collectively work to strengthen the technology transfer industry”.

Dr Peter Lee, Chief Executive, Auckland UniServices Limited, the commercialisation company of The University of Auckland, said, “Our organisation looks forward to a productive partnership with the Technology Transfer Network and its members. The network and its growing global presence is a symbol of the increasingly flat and frictionless world in which we do business. We look forward to sharing our technologies, businesses, practices and markets with our counterparts around the world”.

The new members were announced yesterday in Singapore at the inaugural TTN Innovation and Enterprise Forum (IEF) where organisations from around the world gathered to share best practices about incubation, translational research and technology transfer. Mr Martin Harvey, the High Commissioner of New Zealand in Singapore attended the ceremony.

– ENDS –

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WaikatoLink opens up venture incubator to local entrepreneurs

Hamilton, New Zealand – 8 October 2008 - Entrepreneurs with an idea or early stage venture will be able to increase their chances of success by engaging with the WaikatoLink Venture Incubator which has just been opened up to local entrepreneurs. WaikatoLink, the commercialisation arm of the University of Waikato, has operated its venture incubator for a number of years for ventures based on University of Waikato science and technology.

The incubator, which focuses on high growth technologies in the AgBio, biotechnology and ICT sectors, will provide entrepreneurs and start ups access to the expertise, networks, resources and environment that WaikatoLink has built up through successfully incubating their own high growth ventures.

Through the incubator industry partners will provide valuable expertise and services to entrepreneurs. University of Waikato, NZ Incubator Association, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Hamilton City Council will also provide key support.

WaikatoLink’s chief executive Mark Stuart says, “Early stage ventures need a lot of assistance and the creative talent of our entrepreneurs needs to be nurtured and given the best chance to grow. Our venture incubator has provided a great deal of value to our own start up companies and we are excited to now make it available to other entrepreneurs. As part of the University’s commitment to innovation and regional economic development, we have opened up the WaikatoLink Venture Incubator to make our expertise and processes available to local entrepreneurs wanting to accelerate the development of their new and emerging venture.”

“We have built up the expertise, partners and networks to help entrepreneurs assess their business ideas and market opportunities, and to develop business models and robust business practices. We can also help incubator tenants find strategic partners, raise capital and access markets such as China and the US. All these things dramatically increase a venture’s chance of success.”

WaikatoLink currently has a number of its own ventures under incubation ranging from Novatein, which creates bioplastics from animal processing waste, to Solenza, a novel building integrated solar technology product. Khipu Systems, an IT company in the next stage of development, recently received a $1M cash injection from Endeavour Capital, which has invested in six other WaikatoLink early stage ventures.

WaikatoLink has successfully moved a number of ventures out of incubation. Successes include Ectus, which was successfully exited in 2005, and rapidly growing biotech company ZyGEM which is pursuing the billion-dollar market for DNA tests.

Business incubators are a proven international model, US statistics show that 87% of businesses survive post-incubation, compared with an average small business survival rate of 40%.

New Zealand incubator results have been equally positive and last week Economic Development Minister Pete Hodgson announced a $1.8 million funding boost for the incubator support programme.

“Evaluation of the programmes has found those businesses taking part had a better chance of survival and growth than those that did not”, Mr Hodgson said.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s incubator development manager Richard White said, “It’s very encouraging that a university with the proven commercialisation record that Waikato has through WaikatoLink, is extending their activities into the incubation of other start up and early stage companies. It will help ensure that the high quality research and innovation within the region is converted into commercial success.”

With the opening up of the WaikatoLink Venture Incubator, WaikatoLink and the University of Waikato are keen to make an even bigger economic impact on the region, a goal they share with the Hamilton City Council.

Waikato University Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford says the university is very aware of its location in the centre of Waikato, which is at the heart of New Zealand’s research and development. “WaikatoLink provides a wonderful opportunity for robust academic thinking to be translated into commercial opportunities and we are very pleased to be able to open up the opportunity for others to tap into that expertise.”

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock says, “We want to encourage more entrepreneurial activity in the Waikato. The incubator will make a significant contribution to job and wealth creation in the region. It will drive innovation that will help to create new types of businesses that will diversify the New Zealand economy. We’re very pleased to be supporting a local initiative that will have an impact not only in the Waikato but around New Zealand.”

Applications are now open for entrepreneurs who wish to join the WaikatoLink Venture Incubator programme.

“We’re keen to hear from any interested parties who have a high growth opportunity they want to develop. It may be a great idea, a prototype, some research or a fledgling venture”, says Darren Harpur, WaikatoLink’s Venture Manager who is the key contact for the incubator.

A pre incubation process will allow entrepreneurs to get assistance to develop a workable business plan. Incubator tenants will be chosen based on the strength of the business idea. The first incubator tenants are expected to be in residence by the end of the year.

Information and contact details for the WaikatoLink Venture Incubator can be found online at http://www.waikatolink.co.nz/incubator/default.htm

For further information about the WaikatoLink Incubator, or, how to apply to the program, please contact:

Darren Harpur; Venture Manager
Email:
Ph:: (07) 838 4232
Mob:: 021 408 828
Fax:: (07) 857 0781

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Zygem expands DNA product portfolio by licensing rights to innovative DNA purification technology from WaikatoLink

--Nucleic Acid Sequestering Technology Enables Easy Removal of Unwanted DNA to Ensure More Accurate Analyses for Diagnostic, Scientific, Forensic and Industrial Applications--

Solana Beach, Calif., and Hamilton, New Zealand - 30 September 2008–ZyGEM Corp. Ltd. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with WaikatoLink, the technology transfer and commercialisation unit of the University of Waikato, for exclusive worldwide rights to its intellectual property for an innovative product for DNA purification. The new product technology allows blocking of all DNA contamination from samples destined for use in sensitive DNA-based diagnostic tests and analyses, including tests where contamination from even a single molecule would result in failure. ZyGEM intends to make the Nucleic Acid Sequestering (NAS) technology available to customers shortly.

“This new technology is an ideal fit with ZyGEM’s current portfolio of DNA-related products, including our unique families of kits that provide for simple, fast, accurate and cost effective DNA extraction from a wide variety of samples,” said Paul Kinnon, CEO of ZyGEM. “By removing DNA contaminants from samples before amplification using a simple and efficient process, our NAS technology has the potential for wide application in sample preparation and clean-up, which is critical for achieving accurate results in many diagnostic, forensics, basic research and enzyme manufacturing applications.”

The NAS purification technology has many potential uses, such as in the microbiology field where contaminating DNA in reagents and laboratory water limits the ability of scientists to analyse environmental samples. The technique is expected to be of utility in trace DNA analysis of forensic samples and in the detection of a single virus or bacterium in clinical diagnostics applications. While the new approach has similar properties to the enzyme DNAse1, which eliminates what scientists often call garbage DNA and other cellular leftovers in the body by biochemically chopping them into tiny fragments for easier removal, NAS technology achieves this in a simpler and more efficient manner.

WaikatoLink’s Chief Executive Mark Stuart noted, “This is a great opportunity for us to leverage the commercialisation channel that ZyGEM is building and to take advantage of the natural synergies between this new technology and ZyGEM’s current portfolio of DNA-related products for diagnostics and other applications. These types of agreements make our innovative technologies available to users worldwide and they also enable WaikatoLink to ensure that some of the proceeds from the University of Waikato’s inventions are used to support its educational and scientific mission.”

ZyGEM’s innovative enzyme-based products and technologies are based on the company’s exclusive collection of microorganisms from extreme environments. Its technology has significant competitive advantages over existing methods and has applications in a number of sizeable global markets. ZyGEM was originally established with the help of WaikatoLink to commercialise unique DNA extraction methods developed in collaboration by University of Waikato and University of Auckland researchers. The company has offices in New Zealand and the U.S.

Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.

- ENDS -

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About ZyGEM

ZyGEM Corporation Limited is a rapidly growing biotechnology company with a range of innovative enzyme-based products and technologies based on the company’s exclusive collection of microorganisms from extreme environments. ZyGEM’s technology has significant competitive advantages over existing methods and has potential applications in a number of sizeable global markets. ZyGEM currently produces DNA extraction and detection products, molecular biology enzymes and individual enzymes and diagnostics, serving life sciences customers in basic research, forensics, clinical diagnostics and agriculture. ZyGEM has facilities in New Zealand and the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.ZyGEM.com.

www.zygem.com

WaikatoLink opens commercialisation pathway into China

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – 26 September 2008 – WaikatoLink, the commercialisation and technology transfer company of the University of Waikato, has set the foundation for more effective market access into China by entering into a partnership with their equivalent at one of China’s top universities, Tsinghua University.

The partnership will see WaikatoLink and Coway International Techtrans Co., who are responsible for technology commercialisation and management of Tsinghua University’s scientific and technological achievements, collaborate on commercialisation projects.

The collaboration will open up many market opportunities for New Zealand technologies in China as Coway has the expertise and partnerships required to penetrate the market. The sharing of expertise, networks and IP will flow both ways and WaikatoLink will assist Coway to enter new markets.

Mark Stuart, Chief Executive at WaikatoLink, said "This collaboration represents a major step forward in taking New Zealand technologies into the Chinese market.”

“We have a very strong partner in Coway. They have the local knowledge, networks and experience that will allow us to streamline Chinese market entry for our technologies.”

“We are also keen to work with other New Zealand parties who wish to commercialise technologies through the pathway we have set up.”

Coway is the largest professional technology transfer company in China. They assist overseas parties with guidance on relevant laws and regulations, IP protection in China, opportunity assessment, technology market development, venture capital raising, contract research and technology commercialisation pathways.

The collaboration is the result of meeting at the China-NZ Technology Commercialisation Networking Forum held in Beijing earlier in the year. Stuart was invited to speak on best practice in commercialization in New Zealand and Tsinghua presented on best practice in China.

A delegation of 65 researchers from New Zealand accompanied Minister for Research, Science and Technology Pete Hodgson to take part in a series of Science to Market events. A key objective was to show New Zealand's commitment to collaborating with China in scientific fields, after the signing of historic free trade agreement.

The collaboration paves the way for significant scientific co-operation between WaikatoLink and Tsinghua University. It is anticipated the first collaborative project will begin next month.

- ENDS -

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About Coway

Coway International TechTrans Co., Ltd. is the biggest professional technology transfer company in China. With its broad, global network and extensive recourses, Coway is specialized in providing integrated services for the overseas enterprises that intend to enter into or are interest in Chinese market, such as licensing, consulting and marketing etc.

Coway International TechTrans Co., Ltd. is entrusted by Tsinghua University to commercialize Tsinghua University' scientific and technological achievements, to carry out technology commercialization and technology management of International Technology Transfer Center (ITTC) of Tsinghua University.

www.Coway.com.cn

Novatein scientist wins innovators award for bioplastics research

HAMILTON, 8 August, 2008 – Dr. Johan Verbeek has won a Bayer Innovators Award for his research on turning sustainable or waste products into new materials – with a reduced impact on the environment.

Dr. Verbeek, a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato’s School of Science and Engineering, and the lead scientist for Novatein, was the winner of the Agriculture and Environment category.

The awards acknowledge New Zealand’s leading innovators – those who use their knowledge and commitment to improve the lives of New Zealanders and the wider world.

The judges were impressed that Dr. Verbeek’s research on turning low value or waste animal protein into biologically-derived plastics or bioplastics and biocomposites is being commercialised.

The judges said, “New Zealand produces a large amount raw animal blood and turning it into goods made from plastic polymers is the basis of a viable industry.”

A new company, Novatein Limited, has been established by WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, to patent and commercialise Dr. Verbeek’s innovative process. The company is expected to have the new biodegradable product on the market within five years.

WaikatoLink CEO Mark Stuart said,"Novatein has the kind of high-growth global market potential that we look for in new technologies. The key to commercialisation is to attract investors for ideas that have just come out of the lab.”

"Novatein is one of seven investments Endeavour Capital has made in WaikatoLink companies. It's testament to the good relationship we've built with them. They know that we have a good, robust process for screening research ideas for commercial potential."

Novatein’s, technologies are patent protected and offer compelling competitive advantages compared to traditional processes using traditional petrochemical-derived feedstock’s or diverted primary production, such as corn.

Around 1.5kg of bioplastic can be produced from 1kg of blood meal, a waste product from the meat industry. The end products range from packaging through to consumer products.

There is a growing global demand for sustainable, biodegradable and recyclable plastic products due to an increased environmental awareness.

Dr David Saul the principal scientist at ZyGEM, another WaikatoLink spinoff company, was a finalist in the Research and Development category of the awards.

The six category award winners in the Bayer Innovators Awards are:

Agriculture and Environment: Johan Verbeek, University of Waikato
Science and Health: Olaf Diegel, AUT University
Design and Engineering: Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie, Energy Mad
Information Technology and Communications: Mike Carden and Mark Hellier, Sonar 6
Manufacturing: David Percy, Pertronic
Research and Development: Ray Avery, Medicine Mondiale

- ENDS -

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About Novatein

Novatein specialises in the development of bio plastic technologies. The company was formed by WaikatoLink, the technology transfer office of the University of Waikato, and has venture funding from Endeavour Capital. Novatein’s technologies are the result of leading research conducted at the University of Waikato under the guidance of Dr Johan Verbeek, which has lead to the creation of high value bio degradable plastic products from low value waste streams. There is a growing global demand for sustainable, biodegradable and/or recyclable plastic products. Novatein’s technologies are patent protected and offer compelling competitive advantages compared to traditional processes using traditional petrochemical-derived feedstock’s or diverted primary production, such as corn.

www.novatein.co.nz

ZyGEM scientist acknowledged for innovative DNA research

Hamilton, NZ - April 6, 2008 - Dr. David Saul has been named as a finalist in the Research and Development category of the Bayer Innovators Awards for his breakthrough DNA processing technologies developed for rapidly growing biotechnology company, ZyGEM.

Dr. Saul, one of the founding scientists at ZyGEM, leads a world-class research and development team in the creation of novel products that aid clinical diagnostics, basic research, agriculture and forensic science. Dr. Saul’s focus is on DNA extraction and DNA detection.

Over his career Dr Saul has been responsible for the identification and production of numerous enzymes, including a thermophilic protease that is the basis of the first commercial product sold by ZyGEM.

Dr Saul’s research for ZyGEM has led to a broad selection of patents; four of which have been filed and a further eight are under development. Patents range from applications of thermophilic enzyme activity to novel and unique detection technologies including microbial fingerprinting. ZyGEM is also developing isothermal technology which in the future could replace polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, a technique widely used in molecular biology to exponentially amplify DNA so that it can be analysed.

Paul Kinnon, CEO of ZyGEM said, “New Zealand’s biotechnology cluster is isolated and small but fosters free-thinking, creativity and innovation. It is a credit to David that he has been recognised as a leading innovator in New Zealand, and it shows the respect and high esteem he has gained from other scientists.”

ZyGEM’s innovative enzyme-based products and technologies are based on the company’s exclusive collection of micro-organisms from extreme environments, including a product from an enzyme found in Antarctica that can be used to reduce the number of steps needed for the extraction of DNA.

ZyGEM’s technology has significant competitive advantages over existing methods and has applications in a number of sizeable global markets. ZyGEM has launched its DNA products internationally in its pursuit of the billion-dollar DNA extraction and testing market.

ZyGEM was set up by WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, to commercialise DNA extraction methods developed in collaboration by University of Waikato and Auckland University researchers. The company, which has offices in New Zealand and the US, is backed by venture capital firm Endeavour Capital and private investors.

Bayer Innovators Awards Awards acknowledge New Zealand’s leading innovators – those who use their knowledge and commitment to improve the lives of New Zealanders and the wider world.

The six categories in the Bayer Innovators Awards are: Science and Health, Design and Engineering, Agriculture and Environment, Information Technology and Communications, Manufacturing, and Research and Development.

Details of category winners will be released on 8 August.

- ENDS -

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About ZyGEM

www.zygem.com

Environmentally sensitive bioplastics research recognised

HAMILTON, 4 August, 2008 – Dr. Johan Verbeek has been recognized for his research on turning sustainable or waste products into new materials – with a reduced impact on the environment

Dr. Verbeek, a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato’s School of Science and Engineering, has been named as a finalist in the Agriculture and Environment category of the Bayer Innovators Awards.

His leading research focuses on developing technology that can turn low value or waste animal protein into biologically-derived plastics or bioplastics and biocomposites. Around 1.5kg of bioplastic can be produced from 1kg of blood meal, a waste product from the meat industry. The end products range from packaging through to consumer products.

The research is being commercialised by Novatein, a company set up by WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of the University of Waikato. The company, which has venture funding from Endeavour Capital, is continuing to refine and develop its processes under the guidance of Dr Verbeek.

There is a growing global demand for sustainable, biodegradable and recyclable plastic products due to an increased environmental awareness.

Novatein’s technologies are patent protected and offer compelling competitive advantages compared to traditional processes using traditional petrochemical-derived feedstock’s or diverted primary production, such as corn.

The Bayer Innovators Awards acknowledge New Zealand’s leading innovators – those who use their knowledge and commitment to improve the lives of New Zealanders and the wider world.

The overall winners from each category will be announced on August 5th at a special cocktail awards evening in Auckland.

- ENDS -

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About Novatein

www.novatein.co.nz

Bayer Innovators Awards

See http://www.bayerinnovators.co.nz/

First Kiwi developers for iPhone signed up

HAMILTON 18 July, 2008

Kiwis can now join the iPhone application revolution and apply to become registered developers. The iPhone Developer Program initially only available in the US, is now expanding to other countries.

WaikatoLink, the commercial arm of The University of Waikato, are among the first organisations outside the US to be accepted into the program, which coincides with the iPhone release to New Zealand and other countries around the world on 11 July.

Earlier in the year hundreds of iPhone developer hopefuls who had applied to be in the program had their applications put on hold.

Mark Stuart, WaiktoLink’s chief executive, says, “We were thrilled to be accepted into the program. We’ve got a fantastic development resource in the WaikatoLink Hothouse which leverages the knowledge and skills of the University’s research community and its brightest graduates and students. We use the Hothouse to progress a range of innovations from concept through to commercial prototype. The iPhone Developer Program provides a clear path way to commercialise applications as it provides everything needed to go from code to customer.”

WaikatoLink’s Technology Developer Bruce Bowering has just returned from the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco where developers received technical information on the iPhone platform from the engineers who created it.

Bowering says. “The iPhone development kit, through its tight integration of operating system and hardware, and adherence to Apple’s own design philosophies, gives developers the tools they need to produce applications that will provide a great user experience. Apple have put in a lot of work to ensure the development lifecycle is as painless as possible. It opens up great opportunities for New Zealand developers to create the next generation of mobile applications. We really have been very impressed and we are excited about the platform’s potential.”

The new App Store will be available in 62 countries. Developers set the price for their applications and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.

Within the next few months, WaikatoLink aim to launch applications on the App Store, giving them access to millions of iPhone and iPod touch customers.

– ENDS –

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Endeavour Capital invests $1M in Khipu

HAMILTON 18 April, 2008

Endeavour Capital announced today it has invested a million dollars into WaikatoLink spinout Khipu Systems Ltd. Khipu is an information technology company that provides highly innovative software products for high-speed, cost effective and accurate analysis of data generated by the world’s testing and automated process control markets. This data is essential for regulatory compliance, quality control, process control, traceability, and efficiency purposes.

WaikatoLink’s chief executive Mark Stuart says, “The Endeavour Capital investment will allow Khipu to secure a world class CEO and development team, convert current sales pipeline, secure development sites and strategic partnerships, and complete product development to position the company for strong growth. Funds will also be employed to progress IP protection and leverage patents to create new opportunities.”

Neville Jordan chief executive at Endeavour Capital says, “We have invested at an exciting time as Khipu is advancing rapidly along the development and commercialization curve. Leading international companies are already evaluating the product portfolio for their use and purchase.”

Khipu’s world leading intelligent software leverages expertise from the renowned machine learning team from the University of Waikato and the industry expertise of Hamilton based Hill Laboratories, which has clients around the world. The software tools fully automate the processes of data acquisition, integration, pre-processing and the generation and optimisation of mathematical models utilised to make predictions about samples and processes to inform and enable decision making.

This investment is the seventh Endeavour Capital has made in a WaikatoLink spinout company. Earlier this month Endeavour announced investments into four WaikatoLink pre-seed biotech technologies. Earlier investments included software developer Ectus in 2004, which it successfully exited in 2005, and rapidly growing biotech company ZyGEM.

Neville Jordan says, “Our success with Ectus and ZyGEM formed a trusted relationship on which to build. When we make an investment, the first thing we look at is who we are dealing with. WaikatoLink have proven to be very trustworthy so we were only too pleased to look at the science and technology.”

WaikatoLink’s impressive performance in commercialising technologies is reflected in its top 3% rating when benchmarked against US university technology transfer offices.

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About Endeavour Capital

Endeavour Capital is a leading New Zealand venture capital company, investing into New Zealand science and technology. Established in 1999, Endeavour Capital has a focus on developing globally competitive companies based on science and technology innovations. To date Endeavour has made investments across biotechnology, software and medical sectors. The Endeavour Capital Management Team is comprised of experienced entrepreneurs, each having key involvement in building and exiting at least one significant company in New Zealand or USA. Their model is to provide portfolio companies with significant operational, commercial and technical resources, complemented with capital. In order to assist with international growth plans, the Endeavour Capital managers form a partnership with the founders and key staff to maximize a company's worldwide opportunities.

www.ecap.co.nz

About Khipu Systems

Khipu Systems Ltd is a joint venture between Waikato University and Hamilton based Hill Laboratories. Khipu’s current product platform iCalibra™ can be applied to two key markets, the testing market (laboratory and industrial) and automated/advanced process control markets. Industries throughout the world are using techniques such as NIR spectroscopy to measure particular physical or chemical properties swiftly and often. The main challenge to successfully using these predictive methods is building, deploying and maintaining the multivariate calibration models on which they rely. Models need to be continually refreshed and rebuilt with new examples if their predictions are to remain accurate. iCalibra is a software system that addresses many of the problems with building, deploying and maintaining calibration models, and paves the way for more accurate and reliable predictive modelling. Leading international companies are already evaluating the product portfolio for their use and purchase.

www.khipusystems.com

Endeavour Capital invests in WaikatoLink biotech technologies

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Endeavour Capital, one of New Zealand’s leading venture capital firms, has invested into four biotech pre-seed technologies from The University of Waikato. The technologies cover medical devices, bio-plastics from animal waste, high value digestion processes and very advanced antibody-like compounds for treating a wide range of human diseases.

The investment was matched by WaikatoLink, The University of Waikato’s commercial arm.

WaikatoLink’s chief executive Mark Stuart says, “It is fantastic to gain such significant early stage investment for these high growth potential technologies. Biotech represents a huge opportunity for New Zealand. The key is to be able to commercialise publicly funded research by bridging the funding gap.”

“The Endeavour Capital investment will help each of these newly formed stand-alone commercial entities work towards key milestones relatively rapidly. The aim is to transform technologies into products with global application that have the potential to succeed in international markets”.

Endeavour Capital’s Neville Jordan, said he has been impressed not only by WaikatoLink’s technology strengths but also by their track record in commercialising technologies.

“This is the third investment Endeavour has made with WaikatoLink. We invested in WaikatoLink spin off Ectus, a software developer, in 2004 and we had a very successful exit in October 2005. We also invested in ZyGEM a rapidly growing biotechnology company with innovative enzyme-based products and technologies.”

“Our earlier and trusted relationship allowed a rapid convergence towards mutually agreed terms and conditions. We have a good understanding of one another’s respective goals and values. We look forward to committing our resources, both financial and commercial, to help these exciting new ventures.”

Mark Stuart from WaikatoLink says “This investment and previous investments by Endeavour show how science and technology being developed at The University of Waikato - with the assistance of early stage funding - can be spun out into the commercial world with benefits to all.”

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About Endeavour Capital

www.ecap.co.nz

WaikatoLink Consortium Wins $4.9m PreSeed Funding

4 March, 2008

A WaikatoLink led collaborative bid with Lincoln University, Canterprise and AUT University has won $4.94 million government pre-seed funding from the Foundation of Science Research and Technology (FRST) to help commercialise research from the universities.

The consortium is one of several research providers to secure funding from the Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund (PreSeed). The PreSeed Accelerator Fund supports public sector research providers to get early stage technologies "investor ready".

Collectively the universities will receive $1.645 million a year for 3 years. The total pool of funding available was $9.3 million per annum.

WaikatoLink’s chief executive Mark Stuart says, “The funding recognises the strong track record WaikatoLink has in translating research outcomes into commercial technologies, and the substantial return it generated from previous PreSeed funding. It also recognises the research and commercialisation capabilities of the other universities in the consortium, who will be receiving funding for the first time.”

”Working collaboratively each commercialisation group will share their knowledge, expertise, local and international networks and intellectual property. Working together will create opportunities for all parties.”

WaikatoLink has completed numerous licensing deals and established more than 12 start-up companies and joint ventures, which have collectively created more than 138 full-time equivalent jobs and achieved market capitalisation nearing NZ$200 million. Three start-ups have already been successfully exited.

Mark Stuart says, “The PreSeed funds awarded have the potential to fund dozens of projects from the consortium. A globally recognised problem in commercialising publicly funded research is bridging what is known as the funding gap or valley of death. This early stage funding is vital if we want to unleash the economic potential from the intellectual property in universities.”

Lincoln University’s Director, Research and Commercialisation, Peter John says, “The consortium approach creates a blueprint for what might occur more broadly in the science community – where the sum of the parts can create more value.”

Canterprise chief executive Raiyo Nariman says, "The PreSeed fund will allow Canterprise to engage with intellectual property showing commercial potential at an earlier stage than we currently do. The collaboration with the other consortium partners will add a huge amount of commercial capability and skill which will help bridge the gap between generating knowledge and producing prototypes.”

According to AUT Enterprises chief executive Kevin Pryor, “The PreSeed funding is vital to help technology prospects progress towards investor readiness.”

The PreSeed Accelerator Fund is designed to maximise the commercial benefits to New Zealand from publicly funded research. The PreSeed funds are available to support up to 50 per cent of the total eligible costs of qualifying projects or groups of projects. The consortium is in the process of finalising an investment board.

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About Canterprise

Canterprise Limited is the wholly owned commercialization and knowledge transfer company of the University of Canterbury, with a strong track record of translating research and technical excellence into highly successful commercial outcomes. The primary function of Canterprise is to capture and commercialise intellectual property emerging from the University of Canterbury, taking ideas, inventions, discoveries and technological innovations from basic concepts through to commercial potential. Canterprise has a strong track record in commercialising research into successful spin out companies which operate both within New Zealand and internationally.

www.canterprise.ac.nz

About Lincoln University

Lincoln University's Research and Commercialisation Office was formed in 2005 to nurture innovation and accelerate commercialisation of intellectual property within the university. Lincoln University demonstrates national and international research leadership in several areas including the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies, one of only seven Government-sponsored Centres of Research Excellence, the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU), the Centre for Advanced Computational Solutions (CfACS), the Tourism, Recreation Research and Education Centre (TRREC), the Centre for Soil and Environmental Quality and the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation.

www.lincoln.ac.nz

About AUT University

Located at AUT Tech Park, AUT Enterprises Ltd and AUT Commercialisation facilitates the growth and development of knowledge and intellectual property originating within the university and supports the transfer of the university’s research and technology into commercial opportunities through contract research, consultancy services and technology licensing.

www.aut.ac.nz

WaikatoLink releases PixLocator

26 April 2007

PixLocator is a software program that intuitively and automatically organises your digital photo collection by location on a map of the world.

PixLocator privately and securely sorts and organizes your photos automatically according to where they were taken
Groups together photos that were taken in the same location, so your photos are much easier and quicker to find.
Allows you to rapidly view all your photos in a given location.
Organises your photo collection by location on a world map so you can quickly see where your photos were taken.
Means you don't have to name your photos as long as they are GPS tagged, and if they aren't, PixLocator can do it for you.

Download it today or learn more by visiting www.pixlocator.com

WaikatoLink ranks among elite university commercialisation offices

13 October 2006

Waikatolink ranks in the top 3% of university commercialisation offices, based on the latest available (2004) benchmarking data from the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). Compared with its US peers, WaikatoLink is ranked:

Fourth (4th) out of 157 universities (in 2004) for license income received per research dollar expended. This outperforms prestigious Universities such as Stanford (14th in 2004), Harvard (27th in 2004) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (36th in 2004).
First (1st) for research expenditure per start-up company. On average, an investment in research of US$78.7 million is required by US universities to result in one start-up company; the University of Waikato spends only US$4.05 million for the same result. Although the University and WaikatoLink may be small in size relative to the US universities, we make startlingly efficient use of our research dollar.

WaikatoLink’s performance in 2005 was even better, although comparable data from the US is not yet available.

Source: The National Business Review

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WaikatoLink HotHouse Thrives Over Summer

16 March 2006

Top performing students from the University of Waikato have just completed 4 months of summer employment developing and advancing innovations that have arisen from University of Waikato research.

Source: Waikato Business News

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New DNA extraction technology leads to faster detection of terrorism, improved food safety

16 February 2006

A unique new DNA extraction reagent, developed by New Zealand scientists and being launched on the world market today by ZyGEM, could play a key role in countering terrorism and establishing food safety.

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