Fonterra was amongst the winners of this year’s New Zealand Innovators Awards, taking out the Innovation Excellence in Research for its new Milk Fingerprinting technology. The innovative diagnostic test allows for a safe supply of milk and reduces the time and cost of testing up to 99 per cent.
“Milk Fingerprinting means that, instead of some tests taking days or weeks, we can test hundreds of samples in seconds. And its benefits go far beyond, ensuring a quality, safe supply of dairy nutrition,” said Jeremy Hill, Fonterra Chief Science and Technology Officer.
The company invests over $90 million a year in R&D, and the development of Milk Fingerprinting was made possible by the joint efforts of Fonterra, DairyNZ and Ministry of Primary Industries, teaming up for a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme that aims to increase on-farm productivity and reduce environmental impacts.
The Supreme New Zealand Innovator award went to Kode Biotech and its anti-cancer treatment, a base platform that can cure tumors using the body’s autoimmune responses.
