Lunch and Learn: Catalysing Future HealthTech: Scaling CAR-T Therapy with BioOra

This session will take you inside how ChristchurchNZ proactively engaged with BioOra to develop an innovative business model that enables New Zealand patients to access this life-saving therapy while simultaneously tapping into the international medical tourism market. Through strategic intervention, ChristchurchNZ has worked closely with BioOra to scale operations, facilitate critical property and delivery partnerships, and attract global investment.

Learn how aligning local infrastructure—such as a connected healthcare precinct—with cutting-edge scientific innovation can create an entirely new industry, retain premium value locally, and position a city as a future global centre for immunotherapy research and treatment.

 

 

Shawn Melley is a biopharmaceutical professional with 25+ years of experience driving the commercialisation of innovative cancer therapies, including leadership roles at companies such as AstraZeneca and Amgen.  After relocating to New Zealand, he joined ChristchurchNZ, the city's economic development agency, as the healthtech sector lead, leveraging his global industry expertise to strengthen innovation ecosystems and accelerate translation of science into commercialisation. He is also co-founder of Litara Therapeutics, a NZ-based biotechnology company developing novel cancer therapies.