Colin Dawson holds the fellowship presented to him by the
Otago-Southland branch of the Institute of Directors. Photo
by Linda Robertson.
Years of governance involvement in Dunedin bio-tech
companies by Colin Dawson was rewarded with presentation of a
fellowship yesterday by the Otago-Southland branch of the
Institute of Directors (IoD).
Branch chairman Stuart McLauchlan said the award reflected Mr
Dawson's contribution to the field of governance,
particularly of local companies involved in the
commercialisation of academic research over many years.
Mr Dawson (58), a veterinarian by training, is a director of
two NZX-listed companies - Pacific Edge Biotechnology Ltd, a
Dunedin-based biomedical company which develops and
commercialises technology for cancer detection and
management, and BLIS Technologies Ltd in Dunedin, which
produces probiotic health products, distributed to more than
40 countries.
Mr Dawson said: ''It takes time for directors to develop
skills and confidence in governance roles and the IoD's
programmes provide valuable assistance to directors on this
journey.''
He chairs Immune Solutions Ltd, a start-up company offering
oral delivery technology for vaccines and bioactives. Since
2002, Mr Dawson has been chief executive of Otago Innovation
Ltd, which identifies and commercialises University of Otago
technology, working with researchers to develop high
potential technologies to proof of concept, then either
creating spin-out companies, licensing or selling the
intellectual property.
He is also a trustee of the not-for-profit Upstart Incubation
Trust in Dunedin, which assists in stimulating regional
development for Dunedin and Otago. His other directorships
are with Photonic Innovations, Otago Angels Ltd and Menixis
Ltd.
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