David Downs

Current clinical trial selection for patients with independent screening for each trial, results in high screen failure and limited options for ineligible patients. MDCI’s concept for patient screening centers around broad molecular analysis and one screening protocol for multiple trials to increase patient inclusion and shorten recruitment time for oncology clinical trials.

Guest article for The Lancet Journal

A book about the innovations and positive things that have come about during the covid-19 crisis in New Zealand.

Ex-comedian, actor, business person and now genetically modified organism David Downs shares his hilarious account of his cancer journey. David has a powerful message on the power of positive thinking, optimism and the hope brought by breakthrough cancer technologies like "chimeric antigen receptor" CAR-T therapy. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation with two highly successful books; No.8 Re-wired and No.8 Recharged. He's also documented his cancer journey in his book " A Mild… Show more

Ex-comedian, actor, business person and now genetically modified organism David Downs shares his hilarious account of his cancer journey. David has a powerful message on the power of positive thinking, optimism and the hope brought by breakthrough cancer technologies like "chimeric antigen receptor" CAR-T therapy. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation with two highly successful books; No.8 Re-wired and No.8 Recharged. He's also documented his cancer journey in his book " A Mild Touch of the Cancer". Show less

“I was laughing to the point of tears at his antics.”
— Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race

In 2017, David got what he thought was a mild touch of the ‘flu.

This book is the honest and humorous story of what turned out to be a significant dose of cancer, that would have killed him if it wasn’t for….

…well order it and find out!

Since his first TEDxAuckland talk, David Downs' life has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. A year ago, the ex-comedian was facing a terminal diagnosis, but through a series of remarkable events is now cancer-free. In this moving talk, David shares the three life lessons that fighting cancer taught him.

Down with Cancer helps raise funds to make the revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy available in New Zealand for those who need it. David is General Manager at New Zealand Trade and… Show more

Since his first TEDxAuckland talk, David Downs' life has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. A year ago, the ex-comedian was facing a terminal diagnosis, but through a series of remarkable events is now cancer-free. In this moving talk, David shares the three life lessons that fighting cancer taught him.

Down with Cancer helps raise funds to make the revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy available in New Zealand for those who need it. David is General Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), an ex-comedian, TV and Radio actor, a recent cancer conqueror and documentor of his battle with cancer in the popular column ‘A Mild Touch of the Cancer’ on NZ’s Stuff. David was given less than a year to live but managed to beat cancer in a remarkable series of lucky breaks. After a year of chemotherapy, and staring a terminal diagnosis in the face, David got a literal lifeline, with the chance to get on to a clinical trial in the USA. Now a genetically modified cancer-killing machine, David’s reflecting on the lucky series of events that saw him beat cancer, and on his new approach to life. Show less

No. 8 Recharged is a beautifully curated collection of 202 world changing innovations from New Zealand. Each company is profiled by David Downs and Dr Michelle Dickinson, with the real story behind that company explored in a witty, intelligent way.
Presented in a unique, silver paperback form, this 210-page book will stand out on any coffee table, reception table or bookshelf.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. New Zealand prides itself on its ingenuity and an ability to solve problems with very limited resources. In their talk, Jon Bridges and David Downs suggest that this "number 8 wire" mentality is overdue for a rethink.
David Downs and Jon Bridges are serial co-authors, stretching right back to a time before email. After leaving university, they began their careers together in comedy, starring in comedy… Show more

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. New Zealand prides itself on its ingenuity and an ability to solve problems with very limited resources. In their talk, Jon Bridges and David Downs suggest that this "number 8 wire" mentality is overdue for a rethink.
David Downs and Jon Bridges are serial co-authors, stretching right back to a time before email. After leaving university, they began their careers together in comedy, starring in comedy programme Away Laughing. After co-founding Auckland’s Classic Comedy Club their careers diverged. David went all corporate - working for Microsoft both here and in Asia before entering the public service, while Jon has been a presenter, writer, director and producer of TV and is also a sought-after MC and public speaker.
While researching No.8 Re-wired, a compendium and celebration of New Zealand inventions which will be published by Penguin in September 2014, David and Jon became convinced that New Zealand’s pathway to achieving productivity matching that of our international peers lies through a rewiring of our famous No.8 Wire innovation mind-set. Show less

Best selling book on New Zealand Innovation. This comprehensive compendium is a treasury of New Zealand inventions - packed with the stories of 202 inventions and the people who made them. From well-known innovations (human flight, the discovery of DNA and the creation of the Pavlova) to those which are less known (instant coffee, the referee’s whistle) to the newest in high-tech world-leaders (robots and jetpacks!), this is the most complete and entertaining book ever on kiwi ingenuity. And… Show more

Best selling book on New Zealand Innovation. This comprehensive compendium is a treasury of New Zealand inventions - packed with the stories of 202 inventions and the people who made them. From well-known innovations (human flight, the discovery of DNA and the creation of the Pavlova) to those which are less known (instant coffee, the referee’s whistle) to the newest in high-tech world-leaders (robots and jetpacks!), this is the most complete and entertaining book ever on kiwi ingenuity. And yes, the Pav is definitely ours.

The book’s light-hearted approach and strong visual layout will appeal to a wide range of readers – perfect for Dad, and with stories to impress your aunty and entertain the whole family. It's a celebration of the No.8 wire spirit that made New Zealand what it is today, and it's a look at how innovation can power us into the future. It's No.8 Rewired.

A new book celebrating NZ’s ingenuity and global success. www.no8rewired.kiwi Show less

A whirlwind tour through the history of New Zealand of inventions and innovations.

A brilliant book guiding young people through the difficulties of growing up, leaving home, getting a life.