Dr Kjesten Wiig, a scientist by training, has over 16 years of experience working in the competitive US drug development industry.  She began her career by working for Sention, a company that was spun out of Brown University on the basis of her post-doctoral research.  Kjesten was the company’s first employee and was responsible for company set-up and all aspects of pre-clinical efficacy.  She was also involved in intellectual property, angel and venture capital fund raising. Kjesten then went on to Galenea, where she was Director of Pre-clinical Research, and was responsible for the development of multiple compounds across several disease indication areas.  Kjesten also participated in intellectual property strategy and business development work, and managed major collaborations with universities, contract research organisations and pharmaceutical companies.  Kjesten then bought her experience in creating value out of science to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment where she served as the National Manager for Commercialisation.  She is now Director of Innovative Partnerships at the Ministry where she works to create new and enabling ways for overseas companies to utilize New Zealand’s high-quality science system.