This is what Zev Zelig, CEO of Genzyme and chairman of Pharma Israel, says * according to him, regulatory barriers, impatience needed to exhaust the medical research process, as well as weakness in the protection of intellectual property, mean that human capital and the high level of basic research are not sufficiently realized * Third and last article
Unfulfilled potential
Try to place Israel on the global life sciences map in terms of its size and supply to the world market and in terms of the innovation it brings to the world.
"In my opinion, the State of Israel has unrealized potential in the field of life sciences. Regulatory barriers, impatience needed to exhaust the medical research process, as well as weakness in the protection of intellectual property, mean that the human capital and the high level of basic research are not sufficiently realized, and are not ripe for industrial development in the field.
In recent years, we have shown good will and the implementation of operative plans by the Office of the Chief Scientist and the granting of national preference to the field of life sciences - but the barriers that still exist must disappear in order to advance the process."
What is needed for biotechnology to become an engine of growth in our economy?
"There is enormous importance in multi-year and multi-system planning while committing and implementing appropriate resource allocation to enable the realization of the potential. All this alongside patience, governmental stability, reducing bureaucracy to the minimum required, government investments in R&D, creating attractive conditions for investors, including tax benefits, strengthening the environment for the protection of intellectual property and investing in education."
In your opinion, will it be possible to reproduce the success of "Teva" in other biomed companies?
"No. The Teva company is an excellent example of the highest level of management ability of an international company. At the same time, Teva is establishing its position as the largest generic company in the world. Most of the Israeli biomed companies are innovative companies that develop sophisticated future technologies."
About Biomed Week: What, in your opinion, are the main topics that will be featured in the "Biodem" conference this year and why? (adjustment of the conference to prominent trends in the industry).
Personalized medicine, because this is the future of drug development, collaborations connecting the medical device and the drug, and partnerships between companies in different countries.
Where, in your opinion, is the industry headed?
"The industry is progressing well towards the seriousness of investments and business development. I join the hope of my colleagues at ILSI to see more investments in the field that will lead to the establishment of a prosperous life sciences industry".
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"ILSI-Biomed 2008"
The annual conference of the life sciences industry in Israel - ILSI-Biomed Israel has succeeded in recent years in putting Israel on the map of global biomed events. The 'ILSI-Biomed 2008' conference was defined as the annual event for all those involved in the Israeli biomed industry, but not only its own, as guests from abroad are of great importance, whether they are renowned researchers, representatives of large companies, or people from leading venture capital funds. .
'ILSI-Biomed 2008' week, which will be held this year between Tuesday-Thursday, May 27-29, 2008
It will include an international professional conference starring the best experts, and an exhibition, which includes the hottest medical innovations, together constitute the annual meeting of the life sciences industry in Israel. This year, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, a central stage will be given to 69 Israeli start-up companies, the most advanced in the industry, both in the field of biopharma and in the field of medical devices. At the same time, two other events will be held: the 2nd International Conference on Stem Cell Research, and the ISRACAS 2008 Conference, the 11th Conference on Computer-Based Surgery, Medical Robotics and Medical Imaging.
According to Ruti Alon, the Israeli Biomed week will attract, again this year, about 6,000 CEOs and executives of Biomed companies, scientists and researchers, managers of venture capital funds and angel investors, from Israel and abroad.
