Chiasma links science and business
Auckland University model should be reproduced nationally, says Chiasma CEO Wared Seger
Wednesday, August 03 2011 || Science || BY William Mace, Businessday.co.nz
The University of Auckland-based group has around 2000 members - a third of science students at the institution - and holds regular workshops and events to educate students about science-related business skills.
Merely raising awareness among science students of the commercial applications of their study could reap tangible benefits in the future, said Chiasma chief executive Wared Seger.
He believes the model has worked so well over eight years at Auckland University that it should be reproduced across New Zealand and he's got high level support.
"We've heard people say we need this interaction between business and science, we need our science to be commercially aware, we need people to be proactive, but to be quite honest until very recently there has been more talk than action, I think.
"What we're trying to do here with Chiasma is create more action than talk and say 'alright, we know what we need, we need to create this culture ... let's go out and do it'."
Seger believed that cultural change, combined with an education in the basics of commercialising science and top-down incentives for students to create commercialisable research, would give impetus to New Zealand's economy through intellectual property revenues.
Seger is studying a uniquely business-focused Masters of Bioscience Enterprise and spends much of his time at the university's new Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, where businesses like Comvita co-locate alongside academic researchers.
Former head of what is now the Ministry of Science and Innovation [MSI] Dr Helen Anderson agreed with Seger, and said an organisation like Chiasma was an integral part of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Expansion was definitely on the cards, she said.
"I think it's well overdue - it's really exciting they're doing it in Auckland and that's got a critical mass, but I think the appetite is there in other universities for young people to learn from eachother and to be exposed to businesses that understand, and also to give [the students] some options.
"Chiasma really started off with a bio-tech background but they're extending it quite a lot, and I think you would find that the character of a Chiasma equivalent in each university would be different and it would link to their particular science strengths."
Dr Anderson has only just entered the business world through a number of directorships, including Dairy NZ, but said if she had been given the opportunities Chiasma was offering she might have had a very different career.
"We have thought about science careers in very linear terms in the past - these guys are really at the start of a change where science degrees are about where the science gets applied as well as academia, and that's pretty exciting."
But with her experience in government, she suggested Chiasma's organisers approach MSI's Innovation Board to seek funding for a nationwide roll-out.
Seger said there was interest from the Government in backing Chiasma, but discussions were at an early stage.
"We would hopefully like for the Government to pay more attention - we know they're doing great work to raise awareness in this area but traditionally we haven't had that support so that's something that will hopefully come soon," he said.
"All of New Zealand needs this - it's not just about Auckland or the University of Auckland - it started here and is currently functioning here because that's where the support is.
"If that support does come from the Government then we can really make something happen in the next few years in New Zealand."
Chiasma's annual Synapse expo is being held at the Auckland University Business School today at 6pm. Dr Anderson will be speaking alongside Sir Ray Avery and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare chief executive Michael Daniell.
