Medicines New Zealand: Value of Medicines Awards 2022

Since 2011, Medicines New Zealand has recognised and celebrated outstanding researchers for undertaking innovative research into the use of medicines or vaccines through the Value of Medicines Award.  After a brief hiatus, the award scheme was relaunched in 2022 with a renewed focus on supporting both emerging and established researchers.

The Value of Medicines Awards is now comprised of two awards:

The Innovation Jump Start Award  designed to provide financial assistance for an early career researcher.

The Award for Excellence in Innovative Medicines Research which recognises an already established researcher for the contribution they have made to biopharmaceutical research in New Zealand.

The Innovation Jump Start Award

Designed to support a new or continuing project in the area of drug discovery and development, the Innovation Jump Start Award is awarded to one of New Zealand’s potential future leaders in biopharmaceutical innovation. 2026 marks the fifth year of the Innovation Jump Start Award.

Who can apply?

The Innovation Jump Start Award is open to early career scientists* including:

Current postgraduate students (Masters and PhD Candidates) in life-science disciplines relevant to the biopharmaceutical sector, such as pharmacology, genetics, physiology biochemistry and immunology.
Healthcare Professionals pursuing a research-focused career.

* As the Award is intended for early career researchers, an applicant's highest qualification is anticipated to have been conferred within the past 10 years.

Member companies of Medicines New Zealand will also be able to assist the award recipient, by reaching out to their networks of international affiliate companies in order to gain opportunities for industry experience. 

Value of the Award

The recipient of the Innovation Jump Start Award will receive a prize package with a total value of up to $30,000⁺ NZD. This includes: 

$20,000 to support project costs. 
Career support funding of up to $10,000 to enable the winner to participate in an educational programme or another career-enhancing opportunity (industry internship etc).

⁺Total value of up to $30,000 exclusive of GST

Key Dates for 2026

Applications Open: 1 May 2026
Applications Close: 20 June 2026
Shortlist Interviews: 6-10 July 2026
Award Ceremony: 19 August 2026, Parliament, Wellington

Applications for the 2026 Innovation Jump Start Award have now closed.

The 2026 Value of Medicines Awards

The 2026 Value of Medicines Awards took place on August 19th of August, in the Grand Hall at Parliament and were hosted by Dr Parmjeet Parmar, MP, Chair of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee.

The event featured presentations from the 2025 winner of the Innovation Jump Start Award, Dr Mahima Bansal (University of Auckland), who gave us updates on the progress of her research. We also heard presentations from the recipients of the 2026 Innovation Jump Start Award and Award for Excellence in Innovative Medicines Research, Dr Keely Oldham (University of Waikato) and Professor Richard Furneaux (Victoria University of Wellington).

Recipients of the Innovation Jump Start Award

Current Holder: Dr Keely Oldham (2026)

Harnessing bacterial immunity to improve phage therapy

Antimicrobial-resistant infections are an escalating global health threat. Although new antimicrobials are in development, the current rate at which they reach market is not keeping up with the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Alternative AMR targeting therapies are therefore urgently needed. Phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages, bacteria infecting viruses, is a promising alternative to treat bacterial infections.

Previous Recipients of the Innovation Jump Start Award

2025 Dr Mahima Bansal

2024 Dr Ian Liddle

2023 Dr Rory Little

2022 Dr Emma Wade

The Award for Excellence in Innovative Medicines Research

The Award for Excellence in Innovative Medicines Research continues the traditions of the earlier Value of Medicines Award (2011-2018) which was awarded for an outstanding research project involving innovative use of medicines or vaccines. This award takes a broad view of success and is designed to recognise and celebrate the efforts of an established New Zealand researcher who has made a significant scientific or clinical contribution to the development of innovative medicines or vaccines.

The winner of this award is selected by Medicines New Zealand, and is presented with the Value of Medicines Trophy.

Current Holder: Professor Richard Furneaux (2026)

Professor Richard Furneaux, a Distinguished Scientist at the Ferrier Research Institute Te Kāuru at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka, is being recognised for a career that has taken New Zealand science from the laboratory towards new medicines. His work in carbohydrate chemistry and drug discovery has contributed to medicines development internationally.