BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ISRAEL –
TRENDS
Dr. Haim Aviv
Opportunity
Good science
Motivated people
International outlook (US oriented
Critical mass (160 companies)
Profile of Biotechnology Companies 1990-2000*
1990 1992 1993 1995 1997 1999 2000
Sales ($million)
50 179 209 250 336 600 800
Employees
600 2,170
2,540
2,840
3,500
3,800 4,000
No. of Companies
30 63 87 100 135 160
* From The National Biotechnology Committee’s Report
Challenges
Managerial skills & experience
Financial resources
Political & geographic conditions
Issues1. Probability for billion dollar
companies?
- Depends on successful development of one/two major products
- Stay independent
Pharmos CorporationNeuroprotective dexanabinol in
Phase III trial for traumatic brain injury. Market potential – billion $.
Product for stroke after preclinical testing, beginning tox Studies.
Novel compounds identified for pain, autoimmune and vascular diseases
2. Production in Israel or license out?
- Collaboration/partnerships vs. license
- Production in Israel (not critical)
3. Israel as development center
- Political & Geographic constrains
- Partnerships/co-development
4. Mergers & Equisitions
- M&A between “Israeli” corporations
- M&A with “non Israeli” organizations. Will depend on exciting products and technologies