ILSI-Biomed Israel » Biomed

Israeli biotech – Good for what ails you

Biomed Man — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:54:24 +0000

Israel is the world leader in patents for medical devices, relative to population size, and second in the patenting of biopharm products, including pharmaceuticals and treatments.

Israel is eighth in the number of patents granted in the life-sciences industry, which may be the most amazing statistic of all, given the amount of time and money companies must invest in getting a product or technology tested and patented.

This week, the Israeli biotech industry was having its annual conference, the Biomed Israel 2011 show, sponsored by the Life Sciences Industries Association in Israel (ILSI), a nonprofit organization founded to serve and promote the goals of the Israeli life-sciences industry in the international arena. The show, which is taking place in Tel Aviv and is celebrating its tenth anniversary, has become a can’t-miss affair for top executives of pharmaceutical and medical-technology giants around the world.

So how successful has the Israeli life sciences industry been? Check out the stats: There are currently about 700 active life-sciences companies in Israel; 56 percent of them (396) of them were founded in the last decade.

A quarter of them, 173, were founded only five years ago. Of the rest, 306 were founded before 2001, with the oldest, Teva Pharmaceuticals, founded in 1901 (amazing but true). Out of the 700, 401 (56%) are in the medicaldevices business.

From 2001 to 2005 the industry’s annual growth was 12%. Even though things have slowed a bit over the past three years, Biomed organizing committee chairperson Ruti Alon says growth has returned to the sector.

More than 100 of the companies established over the last decade are making money, she says, and “the most impressive fact is that 25 companies, about 8% of all companies that produce income, were founded only five years ago.”

Some testimonials as for ILSI- Biomed Israel 2011:

“Back to Paris I would like to thank you for the excellence of the organization and the quality of the Company we have met. We learned a lot and see several opportunities to partner with Israeli Biotech Companies”

- Philippe Goupit, Sanofi-Aventis, Business Development Corporate Licenses

“I would like to thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to talk about EU reimbursement during ILSI Biomed in Tel Aviv. I was impressed by the fantastic organization of the program and the conference itself.
It would be a very great pleasure for me to participate again next year”

- Dr. Hubertus Rosery MPH (CEO), AiM GmbH, Assessment in Medicine Research and Consulting

“Thanks for the nice introduction; I had a number of meetings and feel that I am slowly getting to know the needs and interests of the many wonderful technology companies born in Israel. Congratulations on a very successful conference!”

- Dan Mendelson, CEO, Avalere Health LLC

Really excellent. Well planned. Very nice atmosphere.
Key-note speakers were the best. Cocktail party was a delight.
Kenes did a great job. Kol Hakavod to ILSI & Ruti.

- David Blum

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LifeBond Raises $20m in a Third Financing Round

Biomed Man — Sun, 29 May 2011 19:52:18 +0000

LifeBond, a biosurgery device company has completed a $20m fund raising, which
was led by Giza Venture Capital and Aurum Ventures. Also participating in the
round were existing investors: Pitango Venture Capital and Mr. Robert Taub,
GlenRock Israel and The Zitelman Group. LifeBond CEO, Ishay Attar said
“LifeBond is marching forward rapidly to provide solutions for major un-met needs
in surgery. We welcome the new investors to the company”

The start-up company LifeBond, which is developing a line of products in bio-surgery,
has raised $20million in a third financing round. This financing round was led by Giza
Venture Capital and Morris Kahn’s Aurum Ventures. Also participating in the round
were existing investors: Pitango and Mr. Robert Taub, founder and former CEO of Omrix
Biopharmaceuticals, GlenRock Israel, Leon Recanati’s investment company, and The
Zitelman Group. Dr. Yuval Avni and Dr. Dan J. Gelvan will join the Company’s Board
of Directors, following this investment round.

LifeBond is developing surgical sealants and hemostats intended for preventing leakage
and bleeding. Proceeds from the round will be used for completion of the pre-clinical and
clinical phases of the Company’s initial product: LifeSealGI™, a sealant indicated for
reinforcement of gastro-intestinal anastomoses. Post-surgical leakage from anastomoses
is currently a significant risk factor that can result in life threatening complications and
costly re-operations. In certain surgical procedures the risk of leakage is up to 20% of
overall procedures.

LifeBond anticipates that LifeSealGI™ will reach the market toward the end of 2012,
pending regulatory approval. In addition, the company will continue to develop its severe
bleeding control product, LifePatch™, which is based on the same technology platform.
LifeBond CEO Ishay Attar said “Closing this significant financing round in the current
financial environment is a testament to the potential of LifeBond’s technology. Surgical
teams are actively seeking innovative wound closure products with improved
performance and ease-of-use to seal surgical staple-lines and stop severe bleeding. We
are looking forward to using the proceeds provided by this round to bring our first
products to market as early as possible. Once approved, our products will become
essential parts of the surgical toolbox and significantly improve surgical care.”

Yuval Avni, a Partner at Giza who will join the company’s Board of Directors added:
“We are excited to partner with LifeBond’s management team and investors. We have
been following LifeBond since its inception and we have been very impressed with the
founders’ vision and business execution. We believe there is tremendous market potential
for the first product, as well as the underlying technology. As a surgeon, aware of the
need for surgical sealants, I had no doubts about LifeBond after trying the products myself and witnessing the impressive performance. We look forward to working with
LifeBond’s team.”

Ittai Harel, Partner at Pitango, and co-Chairman of LifeBond Board of Directors added:
Lifebond has made great progress during the last two years on multiple fronts.
LifeBond’s founders, Ishay Attar and Orahn Preiss-Bloom, have established an excellent
team and have led the company towards significant accomplishments in product
development, manufacturing and clinical studies; accomplishments that have clearly
demonstrated the potential of the company’s lead product and technology. We are
encouraged by the company’s progress and strongly believe in its potential. We welcome
Giza and Aurum to the company, and look forward to working together, as the company
progresses to clinical and commercial phases.
____________________
About LifeBond:
LifeBond is developing a line of biosurgical products for prevention of surgical leakage
and bleeding. The company was founded in 2007 by LifeBond CEO, Ishay Attar, who
previously served as the VP of Misgav Venture Accelerator, LifeBond VP Operations,
Orahn Preiss-Bloom, who conducted biomaterial research at Columbia University, and
Nir Mashkif. The company received seed funding from the Trendlines Israel Fund,
followed by a $1.5M Round A financing rounded by GlenRock Israel. In 2009 the
company secured additional $8.5M from Pitango and Mr. Robert Taub. The Company’s
headquarters is located in Caesarea Industrial Park.

The Israeli Life Science Industry. 2001-2010: A DECADE of GROWTH

Biomed Man — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:09:46 +0000

Following the big success of ILSI-BioMed Week: some data on Israeli Life Science industry.

The Israeli Life Science Industry is young and growing. Of the existing 702 companies, 56% were founded during the last decade. A closer look reveals that a quarter (173 companies) of the Industry was established in the last five years. Figure 1 depicts the trend and growth experienced by the industry in the 2001-2010, period. 306 companies were established prior to 2001, with the oldest one, Teva Pharmaceutical, founded in 1901. From 2001 to 2005, the industry experienced annual growth equaling 12%. In total, the industry grew by an additional 223 companies in the 2001-2005 period. In the past five years, industry growth has remained stable with approximately 40-45 new companies established, annually. Please note (i) that data depicts the number of companies established in the stated year and are currently active, and (ii) the data of 2009/10 is incomplete.

The industry’s growth has decelerated over the past three years due to the global economic crisis. Our data suggests that approximately 200 companies have ceased their operation due to lack of financing. Furthermore, the largest sector of the Israeli Life Science industry has been negatively affected by the changes in regulatory environment in the USA. Finally, the fear of the unknown embedded in the Healthcare Reform in the US has negatively impacted both corporations and investors, therefore affecting the pace of investment and the number of companies established in the 2008-2010 timeframe, and funds available to follow-on investments.

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Israel world’s top investor in R&D

Biomed Man — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:13:02 +0000

srael is the world’s top investor in R&D as a proportion of GDP in 2011, according to the World Competitiveness Index of 59 countries by Switzerland’s IMD Business School. Israel is ranked 17th in competitiveness overall, the same as in 2010.
Israel was also ranked first by IMD in the functioning of central banks.

Hong Kong and the US tied for first place in global competitiveness this year, taking over from Singapore, which fell to third place.

The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce represents IMD in Israel. Chambers of Commerce president Uriel Lynn said, “The Israeli economy continues to demonstrate robustness and stability compared with the world’s leading economies. The survey puts Israel among the top 20 countries, economically speaking, despite the challenges facing Israel over the coming year, such as reducing the public sector and spending, cutting bureaucracy, and the burden on the business sector, investment in infrastructure in the periphery, including in education, and boosting exports.”

srael is ranked 54th out of the 59 countries in participation in the labor force, the same as in 2010. Israel’s ranking for cost of living fell to 49th place from 47th place, and its ranking for persons dependent on the government was the penultimate 58th place.
Israel’s ranking for technology infrastructure rose to 4th place in 2011 from 5th place in 2010; science infrastructure rose to 4th place from 6th place; but its ranking for basic infrastructure (roads, railways, energy sources, etc.) was unchanged in 47th place. Israel’s ranking on environmental legislation fell to 21st place this year from 19th place last year, and its ranking on education fell to 14th place from 13th place.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news – www.globes-online.com – on May 18, 2011

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ILSI-Biomed 2011: Israel’s Chief Scientist Reports a 430 million NIS Investment in Life Science Industries and Announces the Field as a Favored Sector

Biomed Man — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:18:00 +0000

In 2010, the Israeli Chief Scientist approved a total of NIS 430 million in various program budgets. The R&D Committee alone considered 338 support applications from 193 companies for life science projects. 265 projects were approved for State assistance.

Statistical reports prepared by the Israeli Chief Scientist office towards the ILSI – Biomed Israel 2011 Week, which will open in Tel Aviv next week (May 23-25, 2011), show that the Chief Scientist helped support life science projects in Israel, with NIS 430 million in 2010. Avi Hasson, the Chief Scientist, will speak at the conference at the opening of the day devoted to young biomed companies.

10 more years!

Of the NIS 430 million of support funds, NIS 49 million were given to pharmaceutical development; NIS 173 million to biotechnology, and NIS 209 million to medical equipment. In all, the R&D Committee of the Chief Scientist Office considered 338 project applications from 193 companies, of which 265 projects were approved, representing a total R&D budget of NIS 701 million. This is 10.5% less than the State support given to life science R&D in 2009, the sector’s record year of the past decade. However, the bio technology sector benefited from increased grants with NIS 4 million more that in 2009.

The figures also reveal that State support of life science innovation of the past years has been ranging between 30% in 2007 to 28.1% in 2010, a significant increase from 14% in 2000 and 22% in 2003.

Commenting on the figures, Hasson said Israel’s outstanding excellence centers in the academy, combined with entrepreneurial spirit and technological life science capabilities results in Israel being positioned as a significant life science player on a global level. “Israel is unique in combining life science with additional areas, such as nanotechnology, intelligent materials and advanced electronics,” said the Chief Scientist.

Hasson pointed out the Chief Scientist office is committed to continued support for the life science sector, with life science companies benefiting from a preferred status regardless of the stage in their evolution. “With our support, more companies were able to reach advanced stages of clinical development in recent years,” he said.

The chief scientist noted in this context, the recently-announced win of OrbiMed Advisors of the tender to establish dedicated life science R&D funds in Israel. “When an international company mobilizes USD 160 million, which is more than twice than the minimum required to bid in the tender, this is the best evidence of the trust the global capital market places in the Israeli life science industry and its technological and commercial potential for economic growth.”

2011 marks the 10th anniversary of ILSI Biomed Israel 2011 Week. Over the past decade, it has grown into an international conference hosting the biggest (and hottest) names of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical instrumentation industries. The conference organizers, the Israel Life Science Industry (ILSI), and Kenes Congress Group, expect more than 1,000 overseas guests to join thousands of local bio-pharma and medical instrumentation executives, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, VC fund managers and private investors who confirmed their participation at the Conference.

About ILSI Biomed Israel 2011

The ILSI Biomed Israel 2011 is the central annual event of Israel’s life science industry. It consists of an international professional conference, targeted at the best experts and executives from bio-pharma and medical instrumentation companies, as well as scientists and researchers, entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, VC fund managers and private investors from Israel and abroad. The adjoining exhibition displays the most recent innovations of these areas. With the years, ILSI Biomed Israel 2011 has won international acclaim and is considered today as the second largest conference of the life science industry after the USA. It will be held from May 23rd to 25th at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv.

Visit the conference website at http://www2.kenes.com/biomed/pages/home.aspx

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Abbott Diagnostics @ Biomed 2011

Biomed Man — Thu, 19 May 2011 07:14:45 +0000

Abbott Diagnostics will be attending Biomed 2011 and is interested in discussions with potential collaborators leading toward the development and commercialization of novel IA/CC biomarkers in all therapeutic areas:
o Evidence of clinical utility
o Well characterized antibody development
o Preferably, a developed ELISA format
o Workable, defendable, global IP position

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Looking for manager – pre clinical development

Biomed Man — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:56:36 +0000

Looking for manager – pre clinical development
• Design and execute pre-clinical studies (in vitro and in vivo)
• Manage academic collaborators and CROs, including interactions with project managers, scientists, statisticians and contract departments
• Write pre-clinical study protocols, reports and SOP
• Report to VP R&D

• At least 3 years experience as a scientific project manager in a biotech or pharmaceutical company
• Proven experience in leading pre clinical activities including animal models of infectious or inflammatory diseases.
• Experience in in-vitro models including assay development is a plus
• Experience working in international environment
• Ability to lead multiple scientific projects in parallel
• Creative thinking
• Ability to present scientific data at meetings
• Excellent communication skills: verbal and writing
• Must be fluent in English
• Background education: Ph. D degree in life sciences

Please contact Dan Teleman at dant@atoxbio.com

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Meet The Speakers: Shlomo Yanai

Biomed Man — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:24:42 +0000

The ILSI-BioMed week is closer every day. It will be opened by a keynote address by Mr. Shlomo Yanai, President and CEO of Teva, Israel.

Shlomo Yanai has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teva since March 2007.

Prior to joining Teva, Mr. Yanai was President and Chief Executive Officer of Makhteshim-Agan Industries Ltd. from 2003 until 2006. Previously, Mr. Yanai served in the Israel Defense Forces (the “IDF”) for 32 years, where he achieved the rank of Major General, the highest rank below Chief of Staff, and successively held two of the most senior positions: Commanding Officer of the Southern Command and Head of the Division of Strategic Planning.

Mr. Yanai was the head of the Israeli security delegation to the peace talks at Camp David, Shepherdstown and Wye River. Mr. Yanai was a board member of Bank Leumi Le-Israel Ltd. from 2004 until 2007. Mr. Yanai is a member of the Board of Governors of the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) and of the International Advisory Board, M.B.A. Program of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, as well as an honorary member of the Board of the Institute for Policy and Strategy of the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya.

Mr. Yanai received a B.A. in political science and economics from Tel Aviv University in 1983 and an M.P.A. in national resources management from George Washington University in 1990, and graduated the Advanced Management Program of the Harvard Business School in 2000.

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Allium, Israel Biomedical Innovations to merge

Biomed Man — Fri, 13 May 2011 09:34:28 +0000

Urology stent developer Allium Medical Ltd. (TASE: ALMD) has announced that it plans to merge with another company. Biomedix Incubator Ltd. (TASE:BMDX) owns 25.8% of Allium, which said that the target company is also controlled by Biomedix. The target company is apparently Israel Biomedical Innovations Ltd. (formerly Endogun), whose operations are synergetic with Allium’s.

Biomedix owns 18% of IBI, which has technology for connecting tissue within the body without the need for surgery. IBI already has sales of its first product, a gynecological device for pelvic organ prolapse repair. The company granted Cook Urological Inc. rights to develop jointly a second product for bladder fixation, which is undergoing preclinical animal trials.

Allium says that the merger will create a new company that will have substantially more cash than Allium currently has. Biomedix did not disclose in its financial report for 2010 what were IBI’s revenue or cash, but the company is reportedly worth NIS 75 million.

IBI repeatedly considered an IPO on the TASE, and raised $12 million in a private placement last year from Filvest. The company said at the time that it planned to acquire synergetic minimally invasive surgical technologies.

Allium’s share price rose 3.8% today to NIS 0.69, giving a market cap of NIS 50 million. Biomedix’s share price rose 1% to NIS 0.59, giving a market cap of NIS 83 million.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news – www.globes-online.com – on May 8, 2011

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Meet the speakers: Dalia Megiddo

Biomed Man — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:33:40 +0000

Dr. Dalia Megiddo managed 2 venture capital funds: 7 Health Ventures (2006-2010) and InnoMed Ventures, since 2000.

Dr Megiddo has been involved in the Life Science Venture Capital Industry since 1999 and is well recognized as one of the leaders in the healthcare investment community both in Israel and internationally. She is a frequent speaker at local and international meetings and served as a board member at Given Imaging (NASDAQ-GIVN) and Elron (NASDAQ- ELRN). She is also involved in founding several successful companies such as Medingo, Chiasma and Alcobra.

Dr Megiddo holds an MBA from Kellogg- Recanati School of Business , and teaches at various entrepreneurial programs in Israeli universities. She completed her medical studies at the Hebrew University’s Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem in 1978.

After spending a few years as a faculty member in the Family Medicine department at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Dr. Megiddo founded and sold two successful businesses in the medical field: The Journal Club – Israel’s leading provider of Continuing Medical Education for physicians, and Academia Medica – a medical multimedia developer and worldwide distributor for Continuing Medical Education programs for physicians.

Dr Megiddo will moderate the closing session entitled MANAGEMENT TEAM – GLOBAL OR LOCAL? in the up-and-coming ILSI-BioMed week at the Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

ILSI-BioMed week – program at a glance.

ILSI-BioMed week – detailed program.

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