January 2009
The year 2009 has begun with a great deal of uncertainty as to how the market will behave, what risks lie ahead for the bio-industry sector as well as to whether or not acquisitions will be preferred to licensing deals, thus reducing the number of mature biotech companies while providing an exit for investors.
This is why EuroBiO has decided to redefine its objectives this year and to promote the sector and its actors by focusing on fostering collaborative research and tech transfer in order to address the issues and challenges facing academics and companies alike, especially emerging companies.
And as a meeting point of all types of stakeholders in this industry, we have decided to give the floor each month to researchers, business developers and entrepreneurs driven by the same ambition as ours, that of enabling good ideas to grow into big ideas!
The EuroBiO team therefore wishes you a New Year filled with bright ideas that we look forward to sharing with you next September!
General Commissioner
EuroBiO 2009
Simone Botti, Director of Business Development, RAD BioMed
For their development, many countries rely heavily on public-private partnerships to help new projects and new entrepreneurs come to the fore.
Israel is one such example, where approximately one hundred life sciences companies are set up each year, mostly with the support of public and/or private incubators.
Incubators act as a Business Coach for Scientists and Entrepreneurs
Israeli incubators take action very early in the process by giving future start-ups support as soon as they begin to seek financing. Today, venture capitalists and business angels are shying away from new investments, preferring to reinvest in projects already in their portfolio. Therefore, to ensure the emergence of new projects, it is vital to be able to assist "creators" who often have an idea, however with little or no knowledge of management methods or on how to run a business. We can therefore take further action than we did ten years ago by acting as a true coach. We endeavour to bring the scientist in contact with a business professional who will take charge of the start-up’s operational management and ensure an entrepreneurial approach.
Based on this model, RAD BioMed is currently assisting twelve projects in the areas of medical devices, biopharma, diagnostics and bio-industry.
RAD BioMed, the Driving Force behind Seed Companies
Our model is nearing maturity. We can now pass on the wide experience we have acquired and explain best practices. We need to teach small companies how to act like big ones right from the beginning so that they can be ever effective at the time of negotiation. Companies are incubated for two to three years, after which they must be ready for the second round of fundraising. We continue to monitor their progress once they have “left the nest”, as we generally maintain shares in their capital for a period of time.
We expect 2009 to be a moment of truth. Our incubator, based on a private-sector model, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary. What better time is there for taking stock and analysing our efforts to date!
Director Business Development
RAD BioMed
You can now download the EuroBiO sponsor guide
Do not hesitate to contact Pascale Pouyet for any further questions or specific offers, on +33 (0)4 78 176 176 or by e-mail pascale.pouyet@gl-events.com
Will 2009 go down as the year of acquisitions?
Will pharma/biotech licensing deals still have a significant part to play in 2009?
December 1st to 31st 2008
