Team

Executive Director

Dr Andrew Kelly

Executive Director & Co-Founder of BioPacific Partners. PhD with management training and dedicated to bringing world-class innovation to address major unmet needs. Broadly experienced & networked across food & agriculture over a 35-year career spanning the spectrum from discovery science to commercial success.

Andrew’s long and unusual career has been focused in equal measures of research, commercialisation and investment.

Starting with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree in the late 1970s, Andrew engaged in life science R&D in Australia & Canada, including Masters and PhD degrees, during the 1980s. He then led three separate research institutes – the Pastoral & Veterinary Institute (1992-1996), the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (1997) and Invermay Research Centre (1998-2002). In the early 2000s Andrew led Product Development for the large New Zealand R&D organisation, AgResearch including deep engagement with start-ups and fund-raising.

In 2005 Andrew co-founded BioPacificVentures, the first specialist venture fund focused on food, agriculture and health in Australia & New Zealand, which he led for 10 years. In 2014 Andrew co-founded BioPacific Partners, partnering with some of the largest global companies investing and engaging with local innovation.

The integration of these experiences means that Andrew has considerable skill in how to navigate innovation through the difficulties of product development and commercialisation to address unmet needs, especially in food, health & agriculture. His skills are widely recognised now by the number of high level engagements he is receiving such as Ausbiotech’s National Committee on Agricultural, Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology (which he has chaired); the Investment Committee of New Zealand’s national network of R&D providers, KiwiNet; the National Advisory Board of NZBIO; and numerous other institutional, university and government advisory roles.

Finally, Andrew is an excellent communicator with a real passion for sharing his knowledge and has been a popular speaker and educator in several forums.

Executive Director

Margot Bethell

Margot Bethell is co-founder and Executive Director of BioPacific Partners, and has broad experience in education, industry liaison, incubators and innovation hubs across Australia and New Zealand.

I am passionate about the potential for biotechnology and life sciences to contribute to the world’s well-being. I want to see responsible products of the research in this sector thrive.

Previously Margot was the Programme Director of the Bioscience Enterprise programme at the University of Auckland – a multidisciplinary science, business and law degree, with a core focus on the commercialisation of science.

Margot was the Auckland Director of NZBIO (the New Zealand biotechnology industry association), and has been a Director on hospital and community health boards.

Principal Consultant

Dr Ipshita Mandal-Johnson

Ipshita is passionate about building inclusive, innovative and sustainable systems. She has worked with academia, corporates and ministries in biotechnology, health, deep technology and financial services. She has led strategy, policy and implementation projects in policy development, capacity building, business development, fundraising and transformation. Ipshita started her career in New Zealand and has since worked in the US, UK and India amongst others.

Bio innovation from Australia and New Zealand is highly regarded globally. I am excited to work with our clients to build on our unique strengths and to deliver real outcomes to wellbeing and sustainability challenges.

Ipshita started building start-ups in college and is currently working on her 12th venture builder fund (previous 6 operational for profit companies/ CIC/ charities, 1 exit- Nanna Therapeutics). She has been involved in companies with market leading fundraises/valuations/financial returns with a strong impact focus. One of her career highlights was co-founding the Global Biotech Revolution / GapSummit – the world’s first inter-generational platform for the bio-economy. To date the summits have brought together 600 Leaders of Tomorrow from 72 countries to debate with 300 Leaders of Today, building 18 companies that have raised independent funding. In addition, she has worked in McKinsey in the India and NY offices primarily worked in the technology, healthcare and public sector practices. She has led the development of Government of India’s “Digital India 2.0” strategy and was also the Chief of Staff for a M&A deal valued at over 50Bn USD.

She currently serves on the boards of Global Engineering Futures and Chiasma NZ, is a Judge on Mass Challenge and iGEM, is a Visiting Lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health and University of Cambridge, and is a member of the UNAIDS HIEx Investors Council.
She has received multiple awards including thrice being listed in the 50 Movers and Shakers in Bio Business, St Gallen Leader of Tomorrow and an inaugural 40 under 40 for University of Auckland. She has written or been interviewed on Nasdaq, Nature Careers and The Economist Intelligence Unit and been a speaker at Foreign Policy, Global BioEconomy Summit and Graduate Women in Science amongst others.

She has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a BTech (Hons) from the
University of Auckland.

Principal Consultant

Dagmar Polson

Dagmar is an experienced commercial executive who excels in product commercialisation and strategic marketing in for healthcare assets. Recently returned to New Zealand from 10 years in the UK, primarily with GSK Pharma, she brings her scientific background, broad commercial expertise and global perspective. She thrives on the challenge of shaping great science into a unique value proposition with a winning strategy.

After a BScHons (Biochemistry) and BCApSc (Nutrition, Marketing) her first role was with a small life sciences consultancy firm, before moving into the pharmaceutical industry. After ‘carrying the bag’ as a sales representative in both the primary and secondary care settings, she then moved into marketing management.

On completion of her executive MBA she moved to the UK and joined GSK, where she held a series of marketing and commercial strategy roles of increasing seniority over 10 years, initially in a local affiliate and latterly in the global group. During this time, she led commercial work on assets across all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development, as well as the crucial launch phase and post-launch optimisation.
In her global roles, she worked closely with teams based in each of the major markets – with specific focus on the US, Japan, and the EU. Her last posting was within GSK’s prestigious Future Strategy Group in the Office of the CEO, helping plan and manage a global corporate development initiative.

Dagmar has built her reputation over the years as someone who can navigate between the scientific/medical and commercial sides of the business, as a strong strategic thinker, and importantly as someone who delivers.

Principal Consultant

Dr Ian Boddy

Principal of his own technology consultancy and on the boards of numerous start-up companies, as well as being a Director at Terax Ltd. Strong background in commercialisation and intellectual property management, including roles such as Senior Research Leader at Schering AG, and General Manager for IP with Celentis, the former commercial arm of AgResearch. He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and The Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand, and has a PhD in organic chemistry.

Ian Boddy is the principal in his own technology consultancy, IKBConsulting, and works across a range of commercial areas including intellectual property (IP) management and commercialisation.

He has a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Auckland, was a Research Fellow at Cambridge and a Senior Research Leader with the large German agrochemicals company, Schering AG.

Before establishing his own consultancy he was with the New Zealand Crown Research Institute AgResearch limited as GM Commercial, prior to that he was General Manager for IP with Celentis, the former commercial arm of AgResearch.

He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and The Licensing Executives Society of Australian and New Zealand. He has been on the Board of a number of start-up companies and is currently chairman of HoneyLab Limited and a Director on the board of Terax a waste minimization company based in Rotorua.

Senior Consultant

Melissa Wong

Melissa has broad experience in the New Zealand science and business commercialisation sectors. Her knowledge spans across multiple industries, having worked in the New Zealand government science sector and private and public companies both in New Zealand and overseas. She is the New Zealand Chair of Licensing Executives Society, an international network to educate and identify best practices for intellectual property. Licensing Executives Society is a global organisation with 33 country chapters with members from over 90 different countries. The Australian-NZ chapter (LESANZ) has over 350 members. In 2021, she developed a series of New Zealand and Australia workshops on protecting indigenous intellectual property and rights.

I am passionate about building and uplifting the science community, and unravelling complex ideas to form elegant solutions that deliver pragmatic outcomes. I believe that innovation in the Life Sciences is a force of positive changes, moving us toward a better world.

Melissa studied science and technology through the University of Auckland, and has brought this scientific knowledge to her work across multiple Life Sciences sectors, including agritech, renewable fuels, environmental water quality, and biotechnology.

Bachelor of Technology (Biotechnology) – University of Auckland
Postgraduate Diploma in Bioscience Enterprise – University of Auckland
Master in Science (Microbiology) – University of Auckland

Senior Consultant

Dr Sandhya Badrinarayanan

Sandhya is a pharmaceutical and consumer health specialist, with a strong background in technology development and commercialisation. She brings a track record of expertise in the research sector to the BioPacific team, as well as extensive and specialised scientific training.

BSc(Hons) – Medicinal Chemistry, University of Auckland
PhD – Chemistry, University of Auckland

Analyst

Benj Lewis

Masters of Bioscience Enterprise student with a BSc in Physiology, working closely with NZ start-ups at various stages of their growth story. Primarily focused on marketing and consumer health.

My position at BioPacific Partners allows me to integrate my passions for health with real business experience, and the opportunity to enter new and exciting markets.

Analyst

Sammy Choudhery

Sammy is a current student at the University of Auckland undertaking his Masters in Bioscience Enterprise. With a background in Biotechnology and having worked with a couple of early stage startups, he aims to bridge the gap between science and commercialisation that pushes ideas to markets. He has also previously held leadership roles while working alongside community centric organisations and enjoys wearing several hats that allow him to make a space for himself in the Life Science ecosystem.

Creative Content & Communications

Robin Kelly

BSc (First Class Hons – Molecular Biology) and BMus (Composition), Robin has over a decade of experience crossing between biological science research and creative industries. He is an international award-winning playwright and composer with work in the intersection of genetics, music and storytelling.

I am inspired by creative individuals, cutting-edge research science, and art that explore our humanity. Life science innovation in general, and BioPacific Partners in particular, sit at the cross-section of those passions.

Robin continues his interdisciplinary work within and alongside BioPacific Partners, contributing a creative approach to design and marketing with a focus on Narrative Storytelling and Design Thinking.

Office Manager

Charlotte Parker

Bachelor of Design (Hons), Industrial and Product Design

Charlotte has over 10 years experience in operations within architectural and interior design studios in London and China before joining BioPacific Partners. Charlotte has a passion for health and nutrition which recently lead her into an FMCG start-up which she runs outside of her Bio Pacific duties.

Charlotte has creative vision and a disciplined approach to ensure the smooth operation and function of a busy office environment. Charlotte is excited to bring that expertise to assist the team at BioPacific.

Analyst

Alice Jones

Alice has a background in the biology of the ageing brain and a diverse range of interests ranging from behavioural to molecular health. Coupled with a developing acumen for commercialisation, her role at BioPacific Partners fosters a passion for cutting-edge science with real-world business experience.

Bridging the gap between the laboratory bench and industry is crucial to realising the value of scientific research. I am passionate about bringing innovations in the life sciences to a place where they can benefit consumers, researchers, investors and wider society alike.

BSc(Hons) Neuroscience – University of Otago
Current student – Postgraduate diploma bioscience enterprise (PGDipBioEnt) – University of Auckland