Latest news and updates
Over the limit: WSP study reveals sobering truth in drink driving
March 2024: Recently published research from WSP estimates that 3.4 percent of people who drive on Auckland's roads between 10pm and 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday mornings are over the drink driving limit. On Auckland's less-travelled roads the number is around fifteen percent. WSP's Research Manager for road safety Bill Frith explains how the numbers were crunched and what needs to happen to reduce the incidence of drink driving.
"The stats are sobering. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of traffic crashes in the OECD. Thirteen percent of Auckland’s fatal and serious crashes are alcohol related. Now, we have a comprehensive picture of drink driving in the region.
"Late last year, WSP was commissioned by Auckland Transport to research where and when in Auckland drink driving happens. To do this breath testing data from NZ Police was matched with road network data from the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.
"Data from 2020/21 and 2021/22 was analysed to generate estimates of drink driving on high-volume and arterial roads, primary collector, secondary collector, regional, and access roads."
Photo: WSP Research.
Malaghan: Milestone reached in first NZ CAR T-cell trial
March 2024: The goal of CAR T-cell cancer therapy becoming a standard of care in New Zealand is another step closer with patient enrolment completed and a total of 30 patients treated within the Malaghan Institute’s ENABLE phase 1 safety trial, says Malaghan Institute Clinical Director Dr Robert Weinkove.
Preliminary results of the first 21 patients treated in the trial’s dose escalation cohort, presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting in December 2023, suggested the new third-generation CAR T-cell therapy, developed in collaboration with Wellington Zhaotai Therapies Limited, is safer than leading commercial CAR T-cell products, while remaining highly effective for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Since then, a further nine patients have been treated at the optimal dose as part of a dose expansion cohort, with outpatient management and automated CAR T-cell manufacturing by New Zealand company BioOra Limited. Enrolment and treatment is now complete. Trial participants remain under follow-up, with a primary analysis of all 30 patients treated expected in June 2024, followed by publication of the results.
Dr Weinkove expects a phase 2 registration trial to be underway later in 2024.
Research Officer Felix O'Hagan operating the Cocoon. Photo: Malaghan Research Institute.
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Welcome to the Independent Research Association of New Zealand
IRANZ is an association of independent research organisations. IRANZ represents the collective interests of members by undertaking activities aimed at creating a positive operating environment for Independent Research Organisations in New Zealand.
IRANZ member organisations make vital contributions to a broad range of scientific fields, and offer an important complement to university-based and Crown Research Institute research. Our smaller sizes and greater flexibility provide an environment that is particularly conducive to innovation and end-user engagement.
IRANZ member organisations:
- Are ‘independent’ (non-government owned);
- Carry out high-quality scientific research, development or technology transfer;
- Have strong linkages with end-users;
- Work in a diverse range of settings and subject specialities;
- Derive a significant portion of their work from Government research contracts;
- Collaborate with universities, Crown Research Institutes and research departments of industrial organisations; and
- Having varying governance and ownership arrangements.
Find out more about IRANZ and our members by checking out our News page.