The Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology (IIB) works in close association with the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) at the University of Auckland, and focuses on industry partnerships to accelerate innovation and develop new models of bioscience enterprise training. The IIB was launched in June 2006 and operates under a Partnership-for-Excellence funded agreement between the University of Auckland and Government to support the growth of the bio-industry in four ways:

• Through a bio-incubator and shared facilities for the co-location of industry and academic researchers to increase collaboration, share infrastructure and expertise, shorten innovation pathways from discovery to market, and create opportunities for graduate research and employment.
• Through the Masters in Bioscience Enterprise programme to train dual skilled business-savvy scientists who are employable widely across the bio-industry sector nationally and internationally.
• Through community engagement including entering partnerships with bio-industry relevant companies and organizations, and running networking functions and workshops to help develop a well-connected bio-industry ecosystem and provide up-skilling opportunities for industry staff where and when needed.
• Through an international consulting service to provide advice on best practice solutions in the general area of academic-industry partnerships.