Biotechnology pilgrimage to Israel

New Zealand biotechnology companies are being invited to piggyback on an Australian trade mission that is heading for Israel in October.

A leading Australian biotechnologist, Professor Adrienne Clarke, will speak in Auckland next Thursday to encourage New Zealand interest in the mission.

President of the NZ-Israel Trade Association Mike Nathan said the mission was likely to meet Israeli leaders from the Prime Minister down.

Professor Clarke, of Melbourne University, is a director of WMC, Tridan, Hexima and Woolworths.

She is also a former chairman of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.