Tech startup BioOra aims to scale up and democratise blood cancer treatments

One of the machines BioOra will use to automate CAR-T cell production. (Image: BioOra/Malaghan Institute)

Thu, 07 Sep 2023

New Zealand tech startup company BioOra is in the business of automating an experimental but laborious cancer therapy process now undergoing clinical trials.BioOra was specifically set up to automate the manufacture of the Malaghan Institute’s individualised treatment for some types of blood cancer.To start with, the automated process will allow more patients to be brought into the trials, but if Medsafe approves the therapy, it is on track to become a standard blood cancer therapy.While BioOra has ambitions to manufacture Malaghan’...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Property

Summerset hastens care model pivot; govt subsidy 'suboptimal'

Summerset wants 75% of its care units to have an upfront license-to-occupy payment.

Gregor Thompson 12:05pm

Markets

Engine repairs drag on for Air NZ

Another ‘hard‘ year for the national carrier, weak FY26 ahead.

Pattrick Smellie 11:55am

Markets

Rakon power struggle ends, Witten to walk

In an exclusive statement, Brent Robinson reveals a new board will be in place in weeks.

Rebecca Stevenson 9:20am

Rakon power struggle ends, Witten to walk

Sponsored

A two-track approach to cracking NZ’s EV charging puzzle

Z Energy aims to support easing adoption bottlenecks by targeting the distinct needs of habitual and journey EV drivers.

Z Energy

Sponsored

AI efforts risk failure without clear business goals – Spark

It’s time for New Zealand businesses to move beyond AI experiments and start delivering measurable value.

Spark

More Health

Health

Bank breach and books blunder spur PWL rebuild

Management discovered the error in 2024, which involved double-counting inventory.

John Anthony 18 Aug 2025

Markets

Radius Care upgrades earnings guidance

Radius Residential Care has upgraded its earnings outlook ahead of its annual shareholders’ meeting on Thursday.The listed aged-care specialist said it now expects underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the six months to October to...

Staff reporters 07 Aug 2025