In 2011, the Chief Scientist approved grants amounting to NIS 352 million for the life sciences industries
During January-April 2012, the R&D Fund approved 118 projects in the field of life sciences with an approved budget of NIS 405 million, while the R&D grants for these projects amounted to NIS 174 million. A 22% increase compared to the same period last year.
In 2011, the Office of the Chief Scientist approved budgets for the fields of life sciences amounting to NIS 352 million in all its tracks. In the research committee alone, 235 requests for support for projects in the field of life sciences, submitted by 152 companies, were discussed, of which 187 projects were approved, amounting to grants of NIS 242 million.
From the summaries prepared in the Office of the Chief Scientist, in preparation for the ILSI - Biomed Israel 2012 conference and exhibition to be held in Tel Aviv this month between the 21st and 23rd, it appears that during January-April 2012, 118 projects in the field of life sciences were approved by the R&D Fund (with a total approved research and development budget of of NIS 405 million), while the R&D grants for these projects totaled NIS 174 million. These data indicate an increase of about 22% compared to the corresponding period last year.
During the year 2011, the Scientist Chamber approved support grants totaling NIS 352 million in all its tracks for projects in the field of life sciences. These data indicate a decrease of 18% in relation to grants given in 2010, when in the field of life sciences grants totaling NIS 430 million were approved due to a decrease in the total budget of the Office of the Chief Scientist in 2011. However, in the biotechnology sector there was an increase of about 3% in relation to grants given to companies in this industry in 2010.
In the field of pharmaceuticals, grants amounting to NIS 28 million were approved; In the field of biotechnology - NIS 172 million, and in the field of medical equipment, grants amounting to NIS 152 million were approved.
In the R&D fund track, 2011 projects submitted by 235 companies were discussed in 152, of which 187 projects were approved (with a total approved research and development budget amounting to NIS 590 million), while the R&D grants for these projects amounted to NIS 242 million.
According to the data, the rate of support in recent years in the field of life sciences maintains a share that varies between 30% (in 2007) and 26% (in 2011), compared to 14% in 2000 and 22% in 2003.
In addition to the R&D fund track, in 2011 the Office of the Chief Scientist supported the biomed industry through additional tools. Among other things, it is possible to mention:
- Closure of the Orbimed fund for the investment of 220 million dollars in Israeli companies in the field of biomed.
- Launching a Kamin program to support applied research. In this framework, support has been approved so far for about 100 projects in the field of life sciences, which is about 45% of the total number of approved projects. The scope of support is about NIS 38 million.
- The establishment of a tissue bank in the amount of NIS 35 million over 5 years was approved.
- We are in the process of launching a program to support the establishment of R&D centers of multinational companies in the biomed field. An RFI has been published on the matter.
- TCM program to assist in the purchase of dedicated equipment for R&D in the field of life sciences.
According to the Chief Scientist, Mr. Avi Hasson, the Office of the Chief Scientist is committed to continuing to support and assist the life sciences sector, at all stages of development. "Thanks to this support, more companies have reached advanced stages of clinical development in recent years. The support of the chief scientist is done at all stages of the knowledge. We want to make sure that the innovation and excellence in the Israeli academy translates into success in industry as well, and that's why we launched the Kamin program, which is designed to help turn applied research into industrial products. This support is especially critical in the knowledge-intensive field of biomed. In addition, we also take care of the other needs of this industry, including encouraging investments and financing."
The "ILSI-Biomed Israel 2012" week has become, in its more than ten years of existence, an international conference in which the biggest (and hottest) names in the world from the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices take part every year. The organizers of the event, the Israeli Life Sciences Association - ILSI - and the "Kens" company, estimate that among the thousands of expected participants - CEOs and executives of biopharma and medical device companies, scientists and researchers, entrepreneurs, shapers of public opinion in the field, managers of venture capital funds and private investors - There will also be over 1,000 guests from abroad.
The "ILSI - Biomed Israel 2012" week will be held between May 21 and 23 at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv.
