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November 2006<br />
Science And Technology,<br />
the way to Europe<br />
Who <strong>le</strong>ads the hit parade of<br />
Israeli success stories?<br />
Why do researchers believe that the<br />
Framework Programme yields value?<br />
What are the strategies for winning<br />
proposals?<br />
Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor<br />
Israel Ministry of Science Culture & Sport<br />
Israel and the European Framework<br />
Programme for Research and Development<br />
Looking Ahead: the Seventh Framework Programme 2007-2013<br />
c o m m e r c i a l c o n t e n t
Contents<br />
06 Israeli Participation in FP6: Organizations and number of projects<br />
08 New and Improved: the Seventh Framework Program<br />
10 European Framework Programme scores well with Israel's research community<br />
12 Cars of the future: Motorola Israel is in the driver's seat<br />
14 Smal<strong>le</strong>r is better: Israeli nanotechnology is making an impact<br />
16 The European Framework Programme: Stories of Israeli Success<br />
26 Strategies for Managing the Proposal Process<br />
28 Ten recommendations for writing a winning proposal<br />
29 The fast lane between Israel and Europe:<br />
Interview with ISERD Director General Marcel Shaton<br />
31 ISRED Staff:<br />
The Israeli Management Team for the European Union's Research<br />
and Development Programme<br />
Cover photo:<br />
European Community, 2006<br />
Budget Overview for the Seventh Framework Programme (in millions of euros)<br />
COOPERATION<br />
Health 6,050<br />
Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology 1,935<br />
Information and Communication Technologies 9,110<br />
Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials<br />
and new Production Technologies<br />
3,500<br />
Energy 2,300<br />
Environment (including Climate Change) 1,900<br />
Transport (including Aeronautics) 4,180<br />
Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities 610<br />
Security and Space<br />
Space 1,430<br />
Security 1,350<br />
Total COOPERATION 32,365<br />
IDEAS European Research Council 7,460<br />
PEOPLE Marie Curie Actions 4,728<br />
CAPACITIES<br />
Source: http//cordis.europa.eu/fp7/budget.htm<br />
Research Infrastructures 1,850<br />
Research for the benefit of SMEs 1,336<br />
Regions of Know<strong>le</strong>dge 126<br />
Research Potential 370<br />
Science in Society 280<br />
Coherent development of research policies 70<br />
Activities of International Co-operation 185<br />
TOTAL CAPACITIES 4,217<br />
Editor Roni Lifschitz English edition editor Chava Weiss Copyediting Neta Pe<strong>le</strong>g Translation Miryam Blum, Josh Friedland<br />
Graphic design Studio Orna Cohen Production manager Smadar Averbuch Advertising manager Micha Tayar<br />
Publisher Focus Ha'aretz Special Supp<strong>le</strong>ments Manager Hadas Hirshman-Hess Manager, Client Newspaper Division Inbal Pe<strong>le</strong>g<br />
Tel. 972-3-512-1140 Fax. 972-3-513-2457 e-mail: inbalp@haaretz.co.il
Photo: Kobi Gideon BoBo agency<br />
/<br />
Greetings from the Minister of<br />
Industry, Trade and Labor<br />
The State of Israel is considered a world<br />
<strong>le</strong>ader in technological innovation. The<br />
number of startup companies founded each<br />
year, the relative number of inventions and<br />
Eli Yishai developments produced by Israeli scientists<br />
and engineers is almost unparal<strong>le</strong><strong>le</strong>d anywhere<br />
in the world. Israel’s positive results and successful integration<br />
in the Sixth European Framework Programme is further<br />
evidence of the creativity and innovation of the Israeli<br />
economy.<br />
The European Framework Programme facilitates unique<br />
collaborations between Israeli industry and the European<br />
R&D community. R&D is recognized as an important and<br />
fundamental growth engine for the Israeli economy, and<br />
bolstering know<strong>le</strong>dge-based industry is a guarantee for<br />
continued growth.<br />
The participation of Israeli industry and academia in the<br />
European arena, which currently numbers 420 million peop<strong>le</strong>,<br />
enab<strong>le</strong>s Israeli industry to break out of the local market<br />
and benefit from a critical mass for basic and technological<br />
research that could not be achieved without international<br />
cooperation in the European framework.<br />
I would like to point out that the welcome involvement in<br />
the Sixth Programme also allowed industries from Israel’s<br />
periphery, from the Negev to the Gali<strong>le</strong>e to benefit from the<br />
possibility of working with <strong>le</strong>ading organizations in Europe<br />
and develop a beyond our limited geographical borders.<br />
I hope that, with God's help, our work will enab<strong>le</strong> Israel<br />
to continue to take part in the new Seventh Framework<br />
Programme that will advance Israeli R&D, and Israel's<br />
economy. This continued cooperation will help to blaze new<br />
trails and bring Israel more impressive achievements.<br />
I wish the Israeli R&D community continued success.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Eliyahu Yishai<br />
Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor<br />
Greetings from the Commissioner for Science<br />
and Research<br />
The European Union will soon adopt its Seventh<br />
Framework Programme for research and technological<br />
development. This will be the biggest Framework<br />
Programme yet, with €54 billion over 7 years. The<br />
Janez Potočnik Programme represents continuity with past programmes,<br />
as well as new approaches which open the way for<br />
more ambitious research and development, not only for participants<br />
in the European Union, but also in our partner countries.<br />
Scientific and technological cooperation is a significant e<strong>le</strong>ment<br />
of relations between Israel and the European Union. Through joint<br />
projects, we pool our expertise in many fields of R&D to respond to<br />
the social and economic chal<strong>le</strong>nges that affect us all. At the same time<br />
we create links between peop<strong>le</strong>, a very important aspect of building<br />
solid international relationships. Scientific cooperation between Israel<br />
and Europe has brought new opportunities for Israeli enterprises,<br />
Greetings from the Chief Scientist<br />
Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor<br />
Promoting international cooperation in research and<br />
development is among the most prominent goals of<br />
the Chief Scientist's Office. As the Sixth European<br />
Framework Programme draws to a close, and the Seventh<br />
Eli Opper Programme is about to begin, I would like to highlight<br />
the achievements and chal<strong>le</strong>nges ahead. Research grants<br />
totaling 203 million euros were received by Israeli academic and industrial<br />
research organization during the Sixth Programme, whi<strong>le</strong> the Israeli<br />
government invested NIS 190 million in the program. This impressive<br />
achievement is further amplified by the value of the know<strong>le</strong>dge gained<br />
by Israeli industry. The estimated worth of this know<strong>le</strong>dge is estimated<br />
to be 400 million euros.<br />
Participating organizations made strategic connections with <strong>le</strong>ading<br />
European companies, academic institutions and research institutions<br />
beyond the Programme. Israeli industry gained access to European<br />
markets. Their participation in the Framework Programme contributed<br />
significantly to these advances.<br />
The Seventh Programme brings new and comp<strong>le</strong>x chal<strong>le</strong>nges. We are<br />
seeking to strengthen the systems that support the Israeli R&D community<br />
via ISERD - the Israel Directorate for the EU Framework Programme.<br />
One such system is the Small and Medium Enterprise Authority.<br />
We also strive to increase Israeli participation in the Seventh<br />
Programme’s projects. Analysis reveals that participation in the Sixth<br />
Programme improves chances for future participation. Israeli organizations<br />
that have not yet participated in a Framework Programme will be<br />
encouraged to do so.<br />
Israel’s partnership in the Framework Programme <strong>le</strong>ads to cooperation<br />
between all areas of Israeli R&D - industry, academia and research<br />
institutions. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, the Ministry of<br />
Science, Culture and Sports and the Planning and Budgets Committee<br />
of the Council for Higher Education are all represented on ISERD’s<br />
steering committee. The chief scientists from the various government<br />
ministries have also joined the committee, to promote the advancement<br />
of Israel's research and development.<br />
We must participate as fully as possib<strong>le</strong> in the Seventh Programme,<br />
to advance academic and industrial R&D, promote economic growth<br />
and improve the welfare of Israel’s citizens. My appreciation to all those<br />
involved in this effort, and best wishes for success.<br />
Dr. Eli Opper<br />
Chief Scientist<br />
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor<br />
Chairman of the Interministerial Steering<br />
Committee at ISERD<br />
research organizations and universities through sharing experience<br />
and access to EU markets.<br />
Since Israel first participated in the Framework Programme in 1996,<br />
R&D co-operation with the EU has enjoyed remarkab<strong>le</strong> success. More<br />
than 700 Israeli companies, research institutes and universities took part<br />
in projects under the auspices of the Sixth Framework Programme. We<br />
have a particularly strong track record of cooperation in information<br />
technology and life sciences, and I am particularly p<strong>le</strong>ased to see the<br />
growing number of Israeli researchers taking part in our exchange<br />
and mobility programmes.<br />
I very much hope that positive past experience will motivate Israel<br />
to build on the momentum of its participation. I truly believe that<br />
we all will gain from strong cooperation in the field of science and<br />
technology with all of our international partners.<br />
Janez Potočnik<br />
Commissioner for Science and Research<br />
European Commission
Photo: Guy Ravitz<br />
Greetings from the Chief Scientist<br />
Israel's Ministry of Science, Culture and Sports<br />
Israel’s successful integration into the European<br />
Framework Programme for Research and Technological<br />
Development is a significant achievement for Israel.<br />
It advances science, but perhaps, just as important, it<br />
Mina Teicher promotes links between Israeli and European industry,<br />
technology transfer, and boosts the balance of payments<br />
and Israel’s status in the international arena.<br />
Israel joined the Fourth Framework Programme, and has been a partner<br />
to the Fifth and Sixth Programmes. Israel will continue its partnership<br />
in the Seventh Programme.<br />
Israeli universities are playing a growing ro<strong>le</strong> in European studies,<br />
and in the Seventh Programme this participation will probably be even<br />
greater, thanks to the establishment of the European Research Council<br />
(ERC), whose key goal is to promote basic research.<br />
Modern science exists in an international context that serves as an<br />
important and essential foundation for high standards of originality<br />
and re<strong>le</strong>vance. Research projects on the frontier of science express<br />
binational and multinational cooperation and multi- and inter-disciplinary<br />
collaboration among scientists of diverse nations. Israel nurtures<br />
cooperation with overseas scientists as a matter of policy, and Israel’s<br />
participation in the Framework Programme is a central component of<br />
this policy.<br />
Participation in multinational European frameworks offers Israeli<br />
scientists access to large research facilities and involvement in major<br />
international scientific collaborations. Thus, Israel gains the opportunity<br />
to express positions on R&D policy issues and accrues recognition for<br />
the country's ro<strong>le</strong> at the forefront of scientific-technological progress.<br />
Israel's Ministry of Science, Culture and Sports is responsib<strong>le</strong> for the<br />
advancement of fundamental R&D in Israel, and our participation in<br />
the Framework Programme aids in achieving this goal. The Programme<br />
cultivates basic R&D in fields from the environment and energy, food<br />
safety, space and the information society, and ensures cooperation<br />
among European research groups from different countries. Israel - as<br />
an associate member - derives the maximum benefit from participating<br />
in these projects.<br />
The Framework Programme places considerab<strong>le</strong> emphasis on bringing<br />
science closer to the community. Israeli government ministries and<br />
research organizations participate in these endeavors. Among the highprofi<strong>le</strong><br />
activities was an evening for researchers, held in Israel on<br />
September 19, 2006. Events were held at eight research institutions<br />
and science museums open to the general public, presenting scientific<br />
research endeavors. The event was an overwhelming success and was<br />
part of a pan-European event.<br />
Israel recoups the investment in the Framework Programme through<br />
research grants to academia and industry, and via scientific and industrial<br />
collaborations. The result is shared research and foreign investments<br />
many times greater than the original Framework Programme participation<br />
fees. The ERC’s new program is also likely to attract more funding to<br />
basic research being conducted by Israeli scientists.<br />
Israel will continue to be an associate member in the Seventh Framework<br />
Programme, promoting continued strategic cooperation with Europe,<br />
for the benefit of one and all.<br />
Professor Mina Teicher<br />
Chief Scientist<br />
The Ministry of Science, Culture and Sports<br />
Photo: Lior Mizrahi<br />
Greetings from Israel's Council on<br />
Higher Education<br />
Our anticipation of the Seventh European<br />
Union Framework Programme for Research and<br />
Technological Development offers an opportune<br />
moment to review our accomplishments and<br />
Dr. Shlomo Grossman look forward to continued achievements.<br />
Our chal<strong>le</strong>nging start in the Fourth<br />
Programme gave us valuab<strong>le</strong> experience, though we attained<br />
few research grants. There were improvement in the Fifth and<br />
Sixth Programmes. We applied our experience and potential<br />
to earning many more grants, whose monetary value exceeded<br />
the cost of our participation in both the Fifth and the Sixth<br />
Programmes. This measurab<strong>le</strong> achievement represents only<br />
the tip of the iceberg with respect to the advantages of our<br />
involvement. Our exposure to new ideas and connections<br />
with industry, research institutions and <strong>le</strong>ading European<br />
universities are among the other significant advantages of<br />
Israel’s participation in the program.<br />
For Israeli universities, the Framework Programme has<br />
become the second largest source of research budgets after<br />
the Israel Science Foundation. Thanks to the program, Israeli<br />
and European researchers are advancing more shared scientific<br />
publications, almost equal in number to collaborations with<br />
American researchers. Recently, a Framework Programme has<br />
enab<strong>le</strong>d Israeli universities to bring home young and promising<br />
Israeli scientists working abroad (mainly in the United States)<br />
and they are being welcomed to the ranks of senior academic<br />
staff.<br />
In the Sixth Framework Programme, Israel <strong>le</strong>d all other<br />
participants in bringing home scientists under the auspices<br />
of the Marie Curie Actions program for absorbing returning<br />
scientists.<br />
We anticipate continued success in the Seventh Programme,<br />
especially in light of the establishment of the European Research<br />
Council. Allow me to wish Mr. Marcel Shaton and the entire<br />
staff of the Israel Europe Research and Development Directorate<br />
continued achievement and satisfaction. I would also like to<br />
express appreciation to the Framework Programme’s steering<br />
committee, headed by Dr. Eli Ofer, the chief scientist at the<br />
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. May they continue their<br />
wise <strong>le</strong>adership in this extraordinary program.<br />
Professor Shlomo Grossman<br />
Chair, Planning and Budgeting Committee
INDUSTRY WINNERS<br />
4Sight, Ergonomics & Safety Ltd. - 2<br />
Afcon Industries Ltd. - 2<br />
Agi<strong>le</strong>nt Technologies Israel Ltd. - 1<br />
Agron Ltd - 1<br />
Alonim Holdings Ltd. - 1<br />
Alubin Ltd. - 2<br />
Alvarion Ltd. - 1<br />
Amal Meever Meal Ltd. - 1<br />
AMT&S - Palbam Ltd - 2<br />
Analyst Research Laboratory Ltd. - 1<br />
ApNano Ltd. - 1<br />
Arava Development Company Ltd. - 1<br />
Archaezyme Ltd. - 1<br />
Arel Communications<br />
and Software Ltd. - 1<br />
Argad Ltd. - 2<br />
ATCT Industries Ltd. - 2<br />
Ayalon Highways Ltd. - 1<br />
B.G.Polymers Ltd. - 1<br />
Bamboo Ltd. - 1<br />
BIO-Bee Sde Eliyahu Ltd. - 1<br />
BioKine Therapeutics Ltd. - 2<br />
Bio-Pure Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Browzwear International Ltd. - 1<br />
Cancertek Pharmaceuticals Ltd. - 1<br />
CeLight Ltd. - 1<br />
Cima NanoTech Israel Ltd. - 1<br />
Cimatron Ltd. - 1<br />
ColorChip Ltd. - 1<br />
Compugen Ltd. - 2<br />
Comverse Ltd. - 2<br />
Correlation Systems Ltd. - 2<br />
Creative Technologies Israel Ltd. - 1<br />
CRYTEC Ltd. - 1<br />
Cyota Ltd. - 2<br />
Dead Sea Periclase Ltd. - 1<br />
Di.S.P. Distributed Solar Power Ltd. - 1<br />
Diagnostic Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Elbit Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
ELOP Industries Ltd. - 1<br />
Emblaze Ltd. - 1<br />
Erez Thermoplastics<br />
Products Limited -1<br />
Evogene Ltd. - 1<br />
Exent Ltd. - 1<br />
FCS Holdings Ltd. - 1<br />
Fourier Systems Ltd. - 2<br />
FreshPoint Quality Assurance Ltd. - 1<br />
Gali<strong>le</strong>e Flavours Ltd. - 2<br />
GeneGrafts Ltd. - 1<br />
ACADEMY WINNERS<br />
Bar Ilan University - 26<br />
Ben Gurion University - 28<br />
Emek Yezreel Col<strong>le</strong>ge - 1<br />
Hadassah University Hospital - 2<br />
Haifa University - 26<br />
Hebrew University of Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m - 102<br />
Holon Academic Institute of Technology - 1<br />
Israeli Participation in FP6<br />
Organizations and number of Projects<br />
Gigaspaces Ltd. - 1<br />
Gilat Satellite Networks<br />
Web Site Ltd. - 1<br />
Given Imaging Ltd. - 1<br />
GS-3 Ltd. - 1<br />
High Performance Optical<br />
Polymers Ltd. - 1<br />
Ibex Ltd. - 1<br />
IBM Ltd. - 12<br />
IDEA Information Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
Idioma Ltd. - 1<br />
I-Logix Israel Ltd. - 1<br />
Infogate Online Ltd. - 1<br />
InkSure Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Insightech Ltd. - 1<br />
Institute for Medical<br />
Biomathematics - 1<br />
Internative Solutions Ltd. - 1<br />
Iscar Ltd. - 1<br />
Iscom Composites Ltd. - 1<br />
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. - 21<br />
Israel E<strong>le</strong>ctric Corporation Ltd. - 1<br />
Jemtex Ink Jet Printing Ltd. - 1<br />
Jordan Val<strong>le</strong>y Ltd. - 1<br />
Kailight Photonics Ltd. - 1<br />
Karmapharm Ltd. - 1<br />
Kivun Strategy and Business<br />
Development Ltd. - 1<br />
KLA Tencor Ltd. - 2<br />
Kollmorgen Servotronix Ltd. - 1<br />
Lens<strong>le</strong>t Laboratories Ltd. - 1<br />
Lumus Ltd. - 2<br />
Magnesium Research Institute - 1<br />
Main-net Ltd. - 1<br />
Medic4all Ltd. - 1<br />
Mekorot Water Company Ltd. - 2<br />
METALINK Ltd. - 1<br />
Metaor Ltd. - 1<br />
Mil<strong>le</strong>nium E<strong>le</strong>ctric T.O.U.Inc. - 2<br />
Motorola Israel Ltd. - 4<br />
M-Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
Nano Polymer Ltd. - 1<br />
Nano Size Ltd. - 1<br />
Nanopwoders Industries Ltd. - 1<br />
NDS Ltd. - 2<br />
Ness ISI Ltd. - 1<br />
Netafim (A.C.S.) Ltd. - 1<br />
NICE Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
Novamed Ltd. - 1<br />
NSC Ltd. - 1<br />
NuAce Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Nutricognia Ltd. - 1<br />
Objet Geometrics Ltd. - 1<br />
Odis Filtering Ltd. - 1<br />
OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. - 1<br />
Optibase Ltd. - 7<br />
Orbit Communication Ltd. - 1<br />
Ormat Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
Peptor Ltd. - 1<br />
PML Partic<strong>le</strong> Momitoring<br />
Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Procognia - 1<br />
Proteologics Ltd. - 1<br />
RAD DATA Communications Ltd. - 2<br />
RADVision Ltd. - 1<br />
Red Sea Corals Ltd. - 2<br />
RED-C Optical Networks Ltd. - 1<br />
Relsoft Ltd. - 1<br />
RIO Systems Ltd. - 1<br />
Ron Dvir Innovation<br />
Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Rossetta Genomics Ltd. - 1<br />
RSL E<strong>le</strong>ctronics Ltd. - 2<br />
RUNCOM Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Savyon Diagnostics Ltd. - 1<br />
SCT Stem Cell Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Sea Or Marine Ltd. - 1<br />
SercoNet Ltd. - 1<br />
Sheer Networks Ltd. - 1<br />
Shiron Satellite Ltd. - 1<br />
Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Sphericon Limited Ltd. - 1<br />
Surface Technologies Ltd. - 1<br />
Tadiran Batteries Ltd. - 1<br />
Tadiran Spectralink Ltd. - 1<br />
Tadiran Te<strong>le</strong>com Communication - 1<br />
Target-In Ltd Ltd. - 1<br />
Tekoa Mushroom Farm Ltd. - 1<br />
Textology Ltd. - 1<br />
Theravir Management Ltd. - 1<br />
Unicorn Ltd. - 1<br />
VCON Ltd. - 1<br />
Vitrouch Ltd. - 1<br />
VKB Ltd. - 1<br />
Vocal Tag Ltd. - 1<br />
Winetworks Ltd. - 1<br />
Wisair Ltd. - 3<br />
Yamar Ltd. - 1<br />
Yitran Communications Ltd. - 2<br />
Yodfat Engineers (1994) Ltd. - 1<br />
Institute for Democratic Education - 1<br />
The Inter University Computation Ceneter (Makhba) - 1<br />
Open University - 2<br />
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology - 80<br />
Tel Aviv University - 71<br />
Tel Hai Col<strong>le</strong>ge - 1<br />
Weizmann Institute of Science - 80<br />
OTHER SECTORS WINNERS<br />
Alma consulting - 1<br />
Arttic Israel - 4<br />
Assuta Medical Centers - 2<br />
Beacontech Ltd - 3<br />
Bloomfield Science Museum<br />
Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m - 1<br />
Clalit Health Services - 1<br />
Edna Pasher, PhD. & Associates - 3<br />
EFP Consulting - 5<br />
Elia Ben-Shabat Transportation & Traffic<br />
Engineering - 1<br />
Environmental & Water<br />
resources engineering - 1<br />
Ernst & Young (Israel) Ltd. - 1<br />
Euro-Consultants Ltd. - 7<br />
Gali<strong>le</strong>e center for promotion - 1<br />
Gali<strong>le</strong>e Development Authority - 1<br />
GII - Geophysical Institute of Israel - 1<br />
Global Research & Financing- 2<br />
Greek Orthodox patriarchate - 1<br />
Hadassah Medical Center - 7<br />
Hydrological Service of Israel - 1<br />
IOLR - Israel Oceanographic<br />
& LimnologicalResearchCenter - 14<br />
Institute for medical biomathematics - 1<br />
ISERD - Israel Directorate for the EU<br />
Framework Programme - 12<br />
Israe Cohen Institute<br />
for Biological control - 2<br />
Israel Anti-Drug Authority - 1<br />
Israel National Museum of Science,<br />
Technology and Space - 1<br />
Israel Pa<strong>le</strong>stine Center - 1<br />
Israel Science Foundation (ISF) - 2<br />
Israeli Olive Oil Board - 1<br />
Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m Development Authority - 1<br />
Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m Institute for Israel Studies - 1<br />
Jewish Agency - 2<br />
Kaplan Medical Center - 1<br />
Kenett-Preminger Associates Ltd - 1<br />
Kimron Veterinary Institute - 1<br />
Magnet Program - 1<br />
Mandel Leadership institute - 1<br />
Manufacturers Association of Israel - 1<br />
MATIMOP - Israel Industry Centre for<br />
R&D - 6<br />
Meir Hospital - 1<br />
Migal - Gali<strong>le</strong>e Technological Center - 5<br />
Ministry of Agriculture - 2<br />
Ministry of Environment - 1<br />
Ministry of Health - 8<br />
Ministry of Science - 4<br />
Municipalty of Holon - 1<br />
Museum of Science - 1<br />
ORT Braude Col<strong>le</strong>ge of Engineering - 1<br />
OSM-DAN Ltd. - 8<br />
Rad BioMed Incubator - 1<br />
Rambam Medical Center – Haifa - 4<br />
Schneider Medical Center - 1<br />
Shaare Zedek Medical Center - 1<br />
Sheba Medical Center - 4<br />
Sourasky Medical Center - 2<br />
Volcani Institute - 15
RAD BioMed: A Goodwill Ambassador of the<br />
Israeli Incubation & Seed Funding Models in Europe<br />
The Biomedical incubator located<br />
in Tel Aviv's “Silicon Val<strong>le</strong>y”, assists<br />
Israeli start-up companies on their<br />
road to making a difference in<br />
Europe / Ynon Avishar<br />
Transforming scientific research into a viab<strong>le</strong> commercial application<br />
is the goal of the Israeli Biomedical incubator RAD BioMed. The<br />
company is considered unique in Israel and Europe for its experience<br />
in <strong>le</strong>ading research projects and developing new technologies. It is<br />
focused in the life-sciences and covers the spectrum from academia<br />
and research labs to industrial imp<strong>le</strong>mentation through to profitab<strong>le</strong><br />
products addressing unmet clinical needs.<br />
EU early-stage biotech efforts are inspired by RAD BioMed's<br />
extensive experience and by Israel's unique system for encouraging<br />
early-stage start-ups via funding by the Office of the Chief Scientist<br />
of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (OCS). Dr. Idan Tamir - RAD<br />
BioMed's president and CEO , and Dr. Binah Baum - director of<br />
business development, note that RAD BioMed has become a goodwill<br />
ambassador of the Israeli incubation model, assisting European start-up<br />
endeavors and playing an active ro<strong>le</strong> in European-Israeli collaboration<br />
frameworks, representing Israeli advantages in transforming basic<br />
research into thriving biomedical companies.<br />
The RAD BioMed incubator was established in 1992 by Zohar and<br />
Yehuda Zisapel and in collaboration with the OCS. It was a pioneering<br />
effort of the RAD Data Communications Group.<br />
RAD BioMed is, first and foremost, an incubator that nurtures<br />
enterprises in the field of life sciences:<br />
n Biotechnology<br />
n Medical devices<br />
n Diagnostics<br />
n Drug delivery and targeting<br />
n Genomics & Proteomics.<br />
RAD BioMed provides its start-up enterprises with a physical<br />
infrastructure (laboratories and office space and support) in the<br />
high-tech compound on HaBarzel St. in Ramat Hachayal, Tel-Aviv.<br />
All additional funding, beyond that of the OCS, is provided by the<br />
incubator's owners. RAD BioMed provides business development<br />
and <strong>le</strong>gal services, as well as marketing and global exposure at<br />
international conventions to promote strategic alliances. It also helps<br />
raise capital for se<strong>le</strong>ct incubator graduates.<br />
Today, the RAD BioMed incubator manages eight companies:<br />
ArioMedica is developing a device for opening occluded peripheral<br />
arteries. ImmunArray develops arrays and software for diagnosing<br />
cancer and autoimmune diseases via a simp<strong>le</strong> blood test. SteadyMed is<br />
developing a sing<strong>le</strong>-use system for delivering drugs currently given by<br />
injection, and focuses on pain management. Recogene advances AIDS<br />
treatment using a novel gene therapy approach. R&A Biotechnology is<br />
developing a kit for the diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder via<br />
a simp<strong>le</strong> blood test. Proterec<br />
is developing unique enzymes<br />
which enab<strong>le</strong> inexpensive<br />
conversion of vegetab<strong>le</strong><br />
and other oils to bio-diesel.<br />
Maimonidex RA is developing<br />
Dr. Bina Baum<br />
Dr. Idan Tamir<br />
an antibody for the treatment<br />
of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Situgen is developing a disposab<strong>le</strong> device<br />
for efficient col<strong>le</strong>ction of umbilical cord blood - an important source<br />
for stem cells.<br />
Over the past two years RAD BioMed has extensively represented<br />
Israel's incubation model in Europe – recently, its de<strong>le</strong>gates were<br />
invited to attend the BioVal<strong>le</strong>y convention in Basel, Switzerland in<br />
June 2006, which focused on new funding approaches for biotech<br />
start-ups. They also attended the CEBR meeting in Berlin last August,<br />
which discussed new biotech incubation and seed funding approaches.<br />
The Israeli incubation method and the OCS support for start-ups,<br />
continue to draw interest and enthusiasm among European investors<br />
and bio-incubator specialists.<br />
RAD BioMed was recently invited to advance the development of<br />
European biotech consortia within the FP7 program. In the context<br />
of FP6, RAD BioMed has been a synergistic partner and a hosting<br />
incubator for projects of new member states, and plans to play a<br />
similar ro<strong>le</strong> in FP7.<br />
RAD BioMed's experts collaborated with their European col<strong>le</strong>agues<br />
on international “seed” investments in bio-medical start-ups, which is<br />
especially valuab<strong>le</strong> to new EU member states that exhibit advanced<br />
academic research but lack incubators or the capacity to develop<br />
start-up enterprises.<br />
RAD BioMed's assistance focuses on ways to progress beyond the<br />
first phase of the enterprise, securing funding for continued R&D,<br />
ensuring thorough follow-up for the development of the enterprise,<br />
and transforming theoretical research into marketab<strong>le</strong> products.<br />
In order to further the success of collaborations and interactions<br />
with European enterprises, the EU founded multinational European<br />
models such as European biotechnology incubator consortium NATIBS<br />
and the Council for European BioRegions (CEBR). These consortia<br />
promote international collaboration in biotechnological incubators.<br />
(For more information, see www.natibs.net or www.cebr.net). RAD<br />
BioMed incubator, an active participant in NATIBS, was chosen as<br />
a full member of CEBR and as the representative of the Israeli bioregion<br />
within this council.<br />
Israel can greatly benefit from Rad Biomed's European activity:<br />
Israeli startup companies are exposed in an institutional, orderly and<br />
non-episodic fashion to further development within the framework of<br />
European incubators, to the European venture capital community, to<br />
EC funding and to the European industry and market.<br />
“The advantages of these unique capabilities,” according to Drs.<br />
Tamir and Baum, “make our European activities a win-win proposition:<br />
everyone benefits from excel<strong>le</strong>nt value for their money by participating<br />
in joint ventures.”
∏ Ø π<br />
New and Improved:<br />
the Seventh Framework Program<br />
The new program is longer, more<br />
ambitious and better funded,<br />
according to Janez Potočnik<br />
Israel’s inclusion in the European Framework Programme for<br />
Research and Technological Development is the outcome of years<br />
of deliberation, political dialogue and timing. Discussions about<br />
enhancing trade began in the late 1980s, but it was only in 1993,<br />
after the signing of the Oslo accords, that the European Commission<br />
accepted Israel as a full partner in the European R&D program.<br />
Despite the agreement, Israel's status was still debated, but in<br />
1995, Europe finally accepted Israel’s request for researchers to<br />
be included in management committees with the same standing<br />
as other European Union member countries, and thus Israel was<br />
integrated into the Fourth Programme.<br />
Fruitful partnership<br />
The participation of countries in the Framework program is<br />
contingent on the payment of a fee based on the ratio between a<br />
country’s gross national product and that of Europe. In 1995, Israel<br />
joined the Fourth Programme, which had begun a year earlier,<br />
and paid a participation fee of 100 million euros. In return, Israel<br />
attained 50 million euros in grants to Israeli companies. Israel<br />
joined the Fifth Programme from the start, paying participation<br />
fees of 154 million euros, and was awarded 167 million euros<br />
worth of grants. Over the course of the Sixth Programme, which<br />
ends this year, Israel paid 190 million in participation fees and<br />
expects to receive some 203 million euros in grants.<br />
The Seventh Framework Programme will have an expanded<br />
time frame, 2007 - 2013. In keeping with the EU's decision to<br />
bolster Europe’s competitiveness, the programme’s budgets have<br />
been increased by 40 percent, and will total an estimated 54<br />
billion euros - including the EURATOM budget to which Israel<br />
is not a partner.<br />
The Framework Programme is conducted by the EU and does<br />
not replace national R&D budgets. Thus, for examp<strong>le</strong>, the Sixth<br />
Programme’s budget tota<strong>le</strong>d 17.5 billion euros - representing only<br />
5.4 percent of total public funding for civilian research in EU<br />
countries. Most budgets are consumed nationally. In the context<br />
of the Seventh Programme an effort will be made to change this.<br />
A mechanism will be established to promote exchange of ideas<br />
and coordination among the national support organizations and the<br />
EU, with the aim of influencing budgeting trends, and increasing<br />
the overlap between individual nations and EU proprieties.<br />
Priorities in cooperation<br />
The Seventh Programme is being organized in coordination<br />
with four main programs. The programs address the four main<br />
components of European R&D:<br />
Cooperation - joint research efforts among research organizations<br />
from different countries, whose aim is to achieve the <strong>le</strong>ading edge<br />
in an essential field in science or technology. This is Israel's largest<br />
and most important program, and its budget is expected to total<br />
32.26 billion euros.<br />
Ideas – support for new ideas in basic research. In practice,<br />
this will be done by the European Research Council, established<br />
as a new scientific foundation similar to the American National<br />
Science Foundation. Its budget will be 7.46 billion euros.<br />
Peop<strong>le</strong> – improving human resources, to be conducted by the<br />
Marie Curie Actions framework, responsib<strong>le</strong> for varied programs.<br />
The combined budget is 4.73 billion euros.<br />
Capacities - support focused on research infrastructures and<br />
studies for the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. The<br />
budget is anticipated to be about 4.22 billion euros.<br />
Since the Framework Programme’s overarching goal is to<br />
strengthen ties between industry and academia in advancing R&D,<br />
projects within the Framework Programme are undertaken mainly<br />
by consortia - collaborations among a number of organizations from<br />
diverse institutions and countries, for the benefit of all residents<br />
of the EU. The criteria for evaluating a project for the Seventh<br />
Programme are: scientific and technological excel<strong>le</strong>nce; degree<br />
of influence and the quality of the consortium and management<br />
of the project.<br />
Most of the activity is conducted in two formats: large projects,<br />
consisting of 10-20 partners for 36-60 months, with an average<br />
budget of 10 million euros (in practice, between 4 million and 25<br />
million euros). Small projects, consisting of 6-15 partners operating<br />
for 18-36 months, have an average budget of 1.9 million euros<br />
(effectively 0.8-3.0 million euros).<br />
Another significant area of activity for the Seventh Programme is<br />
the establishment of platforms in cooperation with major European<br />
industries and other interested parties who together will draft the<br />
European strategic agenda for R&D. Some of these platforms<br />
will issue calls for proposals, combining national financing with<br />
funding from the Framework Programme.
The Seventh Programme seeks to resolve disputes and differences<br />
of opinion that troub<strong>le</strong>d the Fifth and Sixth Programmes, and<br />
solutions to past criticism. One issue was the tremendously<br />
cumbersome processes and the lack of f<strong>le</strong>xibility. The new program<br />
endeavors to simplify processes concerning the imp<strong>le</strong>mentation of<br />
methods to calculate overheads, financing rates and the adoption<br />
of a two-stage screening system.<br />
The Framework Programme’s Commissioner for Science and<br />
Research, Janez Potočnik, concurs with the importance of the<br />
simplification process in the Seventh Programme.<br />
“The Seventh Programme should touch peop<strong>le</strong>’s lives,” says<br />
Nanotechnology:<br />
Good things come in small packages<br />
Cima NanoTech ltd. develops materials that are changing the face<br />
of the e<strong>le</strong>ctronic manufacturing industry / Daniel Efrati<br />
It may sound like science fiction, but nanotech (the capacity to<br />
create materials on the sca<strong>le</strong> of one millionth of a meter) offers<br />
the capacity to create new materials with extraordinary qualities,<br />
such as a substance stronger than steel, yet significantly lighter.<br />
Theoretically, one could manufacture a car with a chassis strong<br />
enough to pass the toughest crash tests, yet light enough to lift<br />
with your bare hands. In medicine, it may be possib<strong>le</strong> to build<br />
mo<strong>le</strong>cular structures capab<strong>le</strong> of being inserted into individual<br />
cells to fight cancerous growths. Nanorobots could also supervise<br />
control<strong>le</strong>d drug re<strong>le</strong>ase, and conduct other medical tasks that once<br />
seemed impossib<strong>le</strong>.<br />
Nanotech also has exciting applications in e<strong>le</strong>ctronics and<br />
computers. Current methods of e<strong>le</strong>ctronic component production<br />
seem to have achieved their full capacity for miniaturization,<br />
creating the need for even smal<strong>le</strong>r new materials. New trends are<br />
focused on manufacturing transistors (several dozen nanometers<br />
in size) and component platforms the size of a sing<strong>le</strong> mo<strong>le</strong>cu<strong>le</strong>.<br />
The <strong>le</strong>vel of development and production of nanotechnologies<br />
in Israel is highly regarded. In certain fields, Israeli industry is<br />
even considered the world <strong>le</strong>ader. Cima NanoTech is one of the<br />
most prominent Israeli nanotech firms in e<strong>le</strong>ctronics. The high<br />
quality of its products has achieved international recognition, and<br />
a joint initiative with a Japanese company is poised to <strong>le</strong>ad to a<br />
marketing breakthrough.<br />
Whi<strong>le</strong> headquarters for Cima NanoTech Inc., are located in<br />
the United States and managed by Mr. Jon Brodd, most product<br />
development and manufacturing takes place in the Israeli subsidiary,<br />
in recognition of the experts in this field concentrated in Israel. The<br />
company has a multidisciplinary team of 24 experts in material<br />
engineering and chemistry. The Israeli offices are <strong>le</strong>d by Dr.<br />
Fernando de la Vega, an internationally recognized expert.<br />
Cima NanoTech has developed two types of nanomaterial based<br />
Potočnik, “and one way to achieve this is to simplify. When I<br />
saw the structure of the Sixth Programme, it was not so easily<br />
understood. Our first aim was 'Let's make the programme so simp<strong>le</strong><br />
that even the commissioner can explain it.’”<br />
In an interview with Cordis News, the EU’s Internet news site,<br />
Potočnik explained that the simplification of the procedures is<br />
essential to researchers.<br />
“When you see what it takes to get a contract, and you see how<br />
much reporting there is, you try to really push in the opposite<br />
direction. This is not only my political message, but what I hope<br />
will be a reality.”<br />
technologies: transparent-to-light, e<strong>le</strong>ctrically conductive coatings,<br />
of the sort used in plasma screens; and ink which allows the use<br />
of ink jet printers to print advanced e<strong>le</strong>ctric circuits manufactured<br />
by nanometallic powders.<br />
Development is focused in three areas: First, varied applications<br />
of conductive transparent films, intended for use in various screens,<br />
smart windows and innovative e<strong>le</strong>ctronic fixtures. Second, material<br />
to full printing of miniaturized e<strong>le</strong>ctronic components. Third, the<br />
development of materials for solar cells.<br />
In Europe there is a great deal of interest in nanotechnologies,<br />
given expression by the European Union's Seventh Framework<br />
Programme for Research and Development.<br />
The European Framework Programme was founded in 1984<br />
as part of the trend to improve European competitiveness in the<br />
field of R&D, and it is renewed every four years.<br />
The Programme's research committee declared nanotechnology to<br />
be a preferred area of development, and Israeli is the only country<br />
outside of Europe to take part in EU nanotech programs.<br />
Cima NanoTech is one of the few Israeli companies to integrate<br />
itself into this program, and has partnered in two EU projects. The<br />
company is also a partner in a consortium comprising 13 industrial<br />
firms and 12 academic research groups. This group advances<br />
research in nanotechnology under the auspices of the magnet<br />
program of Israel's Ministry of Industry and Trade, guided by Mr.<br />
Ilan Pe<strong>le</strong>d. Dr. de la Vega, heads this consortium, which is also<br />
a partner in the EU research program. The project is examining<br />
health and environmental aspects of nanomaterials.<br />
The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and<br />
Development will advance alternate energy sources through the<br />
use of advanced materials. Cima NanoTech's proven research and<br />
manufacturing capabilities make it a <strong>le</strong>ading candidate for this<br />
program, as well as other chal<strong>le</strong>nges.
10 / 11<br />
European Framework Programme<br />
Scores Well with<br />
Israel's Research Community<br />
An overwhelming proportion of academic researchers and industry executives believe<br />
that participation in the European Framework Programme yields value<br />
A Dahaf survey, conducted by Prof. Mina Tzemach, reveals that<br />
most researchers in industry and academia believe the European<br />
Framework Program is worthwhi<strong>le</strong> for Israel and we should<br />
continue to participate.<br />
Israel has participated in the European Framework Programme<br />
(FP) for the past nine years. The Programme requires academic<br />
researchers, commercial firms and even public offices to adopt<br />
management and practices in accordance with accepted practices<br />
of the various European research groups. Does the Israeli research<br />
community know how to integrate into the European program and<br />
get the most out of it?<br />
Important funding for academia<br />
The initial probe conducted by the ISrael Europe Research<br />
and Development Directorate (ISERD) revea<strong>le</strong>d that successful<br />
outcomes justified the cost of Israeli participation in the EFP. Israel<br />
has paid 190 million euros to be a partner in the Sixth European<br />
R&D Framework Programme, and has, to date, recouped 203<br />
million euros directly, via research grants awarded to Israeli<br />
organizations. Most of these funds - 112.4 million euros—were<br />
channe<strong>le</strong>d to Israeli universities. Thus, the European Union has<br />
become the most significant source of academic funding in Israel,<br />
second only to the Israel Science Foundation.<br />
The value of know<strong>le</strong>dge<br />
Israel’s participation in the FP was not intended to serve as a<br />
source of revenue, but how does one estimate the Programme's<br />
true value? One possib<strong>le</strong> answer is an assessment of the value of<br />
the know<strong>le</strong>dge gained by Israeli researchers. Data provided by<br />
ISERD, which facilitates the relationship between Israel and the<br />
EU in R&D matters, demonstrates that Israel' participates in a<br />
broad range of programs (with funding of 3.55 billion euros). The<br />
Framework has afforded Israeli researchers access to over NIS<br />
200 million in grants, granting them access to know<strong>le</strong>dge whose<br />
monetary value is more than six times that sum.<br />
To gain feedback from participants in Framework programs,<br />
ISERD’s steering committee commissioned a survey. To assure<br />
comp<strong>le</strong>te anonymity, the Dahaf research institute, <strong>le</strong>d by Prof.<br />
Mina Tzemach, was commissioned to conduct the survey.<br />
Strategic importance<br />
Although the results of the survey are not yet final, initial<br />
data reveals the participants’ attitude toward the FP. There were<br />
316 persons interviewed for the survey: 291 researchers and 25<br />
executives.<br />
When asked if the project was re<strong>le</strong>vant to the main focus of their<br />
work, or addressed secondary subjects, 76 percent of industry<br />
respondents said it was re<strong>le</strong>vant to their main work topic and<br />
the overwhelming majority felt their projects were of strategic<br />
importance to their company’s work: 18 percent defined the<br />
projects as “highly strategic,” whi<strong>le</strong> 48 percent defined them as<br />
“quite strategic.” Only 8 percent felt they were “of no strategic<br />
importance.”<br />
One survey question investigated the respondents’ assessment of<br />
their own contribution to the European projects: Among executives,<br />
68 percent said their participation contributed to their marketing<br />
efforts. Seventy-four percent of executives said they were exposed<br />
to advanced know<strong>le</strong>dge (the rate was 71 percent among academics).<br />
The FP provided 74 percent of executives and 53 percent of<br />
academics with access to new technology in which they would<br />
otherwise not have been involved.<br />
A very high percentage of interviewees concurred that their<br />
participation in the FP made a qualitative contribution to their<br />
know<strong>le</strong>dge or careers: Ninety percent of executives and 93 percent<br />
of academics said they encountered new ideas. Ninety percent<br />
of executives and 89 percent of academics said they acquired<br />
new skills. Eighty-eight percent of executives and 89 percent of<br />
academics agreed that their involvement in the program advanced<br />
their professional connections, and 88 percent of executives said<br />
the projects had improved the image of their companies.<br />
Integrity of intel<strong>le</strong>ctual property<br />
The Dahaf survey also examined the issue of possib<strong>le</strong> damage<br />
to researchers or their organization due to the exposure of their<br />
know<strong>le</strong>dge to the other participants in their specific projects.<br />
Only 2 percent of academic respondents reported any harm to<br />
their intel<strong>le</strong>ctual property, and there was no report of any damage<br />
from industrial researchers.<br />
The final questions, regarding the interviewees’ attitude toward<br />
their participation in the FP, revea<strong>le</strong>d similar feelings among<br />
academics and executives. Ninety-five percent of respondents from<br />
academia and 92 percent from industry said their involvement in<br />
the projects was worthwhi<strong>le</strong> or very worthwhi<strong>le</strong> for them.<br />
Is the program worthwhi<strong>le</strong> for Israel? One question noted that<br />
the government pays considerab<strong>le</strong> sums for Israel’s partnership<br />
in the EU’s research program, and that not all of the funds are<br />
returned in the form of research grants.<br />
If so, asked the survey, is it worthwhi<strong>le</strong> for Israel to participate<br />
in the program? Ninety-six percent of respondents from industry<br />
and 80 percent from academia felt that it would be worthwhi<strong>le</strong>,<br />
even an the event that only 80 percent of the participation costs<br />
are recouped. Seventy-one percent of executives and 15 percent<br />
of academics felt it would be worthwhi<strong>le</strong> even if only 60 percent<br />
of the participation costs were returned to Israel in the form of<br />
R&D grants.
A very high percentage of participants concurred that they gained a qualitative<br />
contribution to their know<strong>le</strong>dge or careers<br />
Key findings: Survey on European<br />
Framework Programme<br />
The strategic importance of participation to the<br />
company’s work (percentage of respondents)<br />
Highly strategic 18%<br />
Quite strategic 48%<br />
Not very strategic 24%<br />
Not strategic at all 8%<br />
Did not respond 2%<br />
The importance of the project to the researcher's work<br />
Industry Academia<br />
Very important 70% 86%<br />
Quite important 12% 11%<br />
How worthwhi<strong>le</strong> was your participation in the program?<br />
Industry Academia<br />
Very worthwhi<strong>le</strong> 62% 68%<br />
Quite worthwhi<strong>le</strong> 30% 27%<br />
The project's contributions<br />
(percentage of respondents)<br />
Industry Academia<br />
Developing technological infrastructures 62%<br />
Marketing 68%<br />
Learning new technologies 74% 52%<br />
Encounters with new ideas 90% 93%<br />
Professional reputation 92% 85%<br />
The company’s image 88%<br />
Professional connections 88% 89%<br />
Human resources development 52% 54%<br />
Israel’s participation in the sixth<br />
European research program<br />
Grants to Israeli organizations (in millions of euros)<br />
Other 24.4<br />
Academia 112.5<br />
Number of Israeli participants in approved projects<br />
Other 145<br />
Number of proposals submitted by Israeli organizations<br />
Other 788<br />
Academia 429<br />
Academia 2,010<br />
Industry 64.5<br />
Industry 209<br />
Industry 1,318<br />
Source: Dahaf
12 / 13<br />
Cars of the Future:<br />
Motorola Israel is in the Driver's Seat<br />
New systems to create an autonomous communication system on the road<br />
The car of the future will be a communications center for<br />
information on road conditions and general environment and<br />
the vehic<strong>le</strong> itself. Each car will be a link in a widespread mobi<strong>le</strong><br />
information network. This vision is the brainchild of Motorola,<br />
and is being advanced through the ITS (Intelligent Transportation<br />
Systems) project, initiated and <strong>le</strong>d by Motorola as part of the<br />
European R&D Project. In 2005, Motorola established the REACT<br />
consortium, followed by the January 2006 COM2REACT followup<br />
consortium, the recipient of a 5 million euro grant. Motorola<br />
is currently drafting a proposal for a third consortium, to develop<br />
M2M (machine to machine) capabilities at its comp<strong>le</strong>mentary<br />
products division, managed by Aharon Mirsky.<br />
The guiding princip<strong>le</strong> of these first two projects is that cars have<br />
the capacity to gather information on road and traffic conditions<br />
and transmit it to command and control centers that can analyze<br />
the data and adjust road signs and send recommendations to<br />
drivers.<br />
Dr. Chanan Gabay, who <strong>le</strong>ads the consortiums, explains that<br />
Motorola came up with the idea in response to a study of the<br />
priorities of the Framework Project.<br />
“An important EU goal is the reduction by half of casualties<br />
from traffic accidents by 21010” says Gabay. “The EU is troub<strong>le</strong>d<br />
by the disproportionate number of road accident casualties, in<br />
comparison with air traffic accidents.”<br />
Gabay realized that significance of the remark. Air traffic,<br />
unlike land traffic, is control<strong>le</strong>d by a closed circuit of command<br />
and control towers: no plane takes off, flies or lands without<br />
permission from the tower. The idea proposed by Motorola Israel<br />
is to create a closed command and control system on the basis of<br />
car computers developed in Israel, sensors instal<strong>le</strong>d in the cars and<br />
cellular communication between motor vehic<strong>le</strong>s and the regional,<br />
municipal or national control center.<br />
The first consortium, which provides a demonstration of the<br />
concept, has ten partners, among them Munich Technical University,<br />
Dutch e<strong>le</strong>ctro-optic sensor manufacturer TNO and the Bavarian<br />
Transportation Administration. The system includes a skid sensor, to<br />
identify skid hazards, a visibility sensor which recognizes weather<br />
conditions such as rain and fog, a motion sensor to check traffic<br />
conditions via two smart, software-control<strong>le</strong>d video cameras.<br />
The sensors are connected to a car computer made by Motorola<br />
Israel, and a cellular communication system transmits the data to<br />
a command and control center developed by the German company<br />
Tranver, with Munich University and the Bavarian Transportation<br />
Administration. This past June, there were trials on Munich roads,<br />
which were reviewed by the automotive industry in September.<br />
The follow-up project, COM2REACT, is designed for situations<br />
in which a vehic<strong>le</strong> is in an area with no command and control<br />
center.<br />
“The idea is to turn the car into part of a mesh network, in<br />
which cars communicate directly with one another,” explains<br />
Gabay. “One car in every region will be ab<strong>le</strong> to assume control<br />
of the network, gather the data from the nearby cars, process it<br />
and send it to a major control center. Essentially, this is a virtual<br />
control center that shifts from one car to another.”<br />
Although the EU panel that examined the proposal was impressed<br />
enough to award it the highest score, they noted they didn't believe<br />
the proposal was feasib<strong>le</strong>. The follow-up development team was<br />
joined by Peugeot Citroen labs, Te<strong>le</strong>fonica of Spain, Navteq, the<br />
largest digital map creator in Europe, the Israeli startup Sphericon<br />
and Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m Transportation, which is building the light rail line<br />
in Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m. David Lubinski, the Israeli importer for Peugeot<br />
Citroen, volunteered to assist the project, which will be tried on a<br />
f<strong>le</strong>et of Citroen C3 cars. A demonstration of the system is planned<br />
for October 2007 in Paris.<br />
Why are you embarking on such a comp<strong>le</strong>x project?<br />
"In 2009, says Gabay, “cars will be outfitted with a black box<br />
(eCall), which will be ab<strong>le</strong> to send out an automatic emergency<br />
call. This means that, as of 2009, all new cars on Europe's roads<br />
will be equipped with a communication device. Motorola’s direct<br />
gain is insight into market trends: we will <strong>le</strong>arn which accessories<br />
and products are in demand, and what solutions Europeans are<br />
seeking.<br />
“The project also helps answer questions about communication<br />
between vehic<strong>le</strong>s and the operations of control and distress centers,<br />
the nature of the systems and their technological features. We are<br />
looking for a business model that will enab<strong>le</strong> us to operate the<br />
services connected with eCall, and our project demonstrates the<br />
added value offered by the system.”
Three-fold Protection<br />
for Golden Opportunities<br />
Dr. Yoram Tsivion is a jack<br />
of all trades. He is one of those<br />
rare individuals the expertise of<br />
whom spans many fields, among<br />
these is the realm of intel<strong>le</strong>ctual<br />
property. Dr. Tsivion recognizes<br />
that know<strong>le</strong>dge is an asset.<br />
Dr. Tsivion’s firm emphasizes<br />
protecting intel<strong>le</strong>ctual property<br />
Dr. Tsivion<br />
as it is essential to business<br />
development.<br />
Property is often conceived of in terms of tangib<strong>le</strong> assets.<br />
However there are other kinds of property. Books and music<br />
may be copyrighted. Innovative products and processes in almost<br />
every field of technology may be patented. Trademarks designate<br />
attributes which link products to their source, and plant breeders’<br />
rights apply to novel agricultural crops.<br />
These properties are all intangib<strong>le</strong> human creations.. There is<br />
no physical barrier to prevent exploitation of them. In lieu of a<br />
such, the need arises for a “<strong>le</strong>gal fence” to protect the rights of<br />
creators or inventors.<br />
The law grants exclusive rights to the patent owner and prevents<br />
others from utilizing patented inventions. To acquire a patent one<br />
must apply to the designated government office..<br />
The patent application details specifications for the invention,<br />
means for imp<strong>le</strong>mentation. and “protection claims”, a precise<br />
definition of exclusivity claimed by the inventor or patent owner.<br />
The patent application must demonstrate that the invention is<br />
novel, unique, has an industrial use, and offers some benefit.<br />
Abstract ideas and models may not be registered as patents - except<br />
for “business methods”, recognized as patentab<strong>le</strong> in the United<br />
States. Software can also be protected in the U.S. as a patent, and<br />
elsewhere usually under copyright law.<br />
Patent attorneys help inventors submit patent and trademark<br />
applications Filing and handling of a patent application requires<br />
know<strong>le</strong>dge in three aspects: technology, law and business. Firstly,<br />
one must confirm the invention's technological applications, and<br />
whether the <strong>le</strong>vel of innovation is patentab<strong>le</strong>. Secondly, one must<br />
assess whether submitting an application will be profitab<strong>le</strong>, taking<br />
in consideration the cost of patenting which may consume some<br />
tens of thousands of dollars over the years. After the decision is<br />
made, the patent application must be written and edited, which<br />
demands professional technological know<strong>le</strong>dge and fluency in the<br />
re<strong>le</strong>vant <strong>le</strong>gal aspects of the national and international treaties.<br />
Dr. Yoram Tsivion, a patent attorney, scientific consultant and<br />
founder of a patent agency has mastery of these three skills. Dr.<br />
Tsivion began his career in the world of patents as a client. He<br />
earned degrees in physiology and biochemistry, a doctorate from<br />
the Hebrew University, and a post-doctorate from the Weizmann<br />
Institute of Science. He is a born inventor, and for years he<br />
acquired patents for his inventions, which he imp<strong>le</strong>mented and<br />
registered. Dr. Tsivion has a broad-based technological background<br />
drawn from his past experience, which includes the development<br />
of defense technology systems. His experience as an inventor<br />
and his multidisciplinary know<strong>le</strong>dge in the natural sciences,<br />
technology and business, enab<strong>le</strong> him to offer his clients rich and<br />
diverse services.<br />
Dr. Tsivion's office is small enough to offer the client a personal<br />
touch, yet large enough with a staff of ten for a combined 40<br />
years of experience in the fields of communications, physics,<br />
chemistry, biology, e<strong>le</strong>ctronics, nuc<strong>le</strong>ar physics, medical device,<br />
pharmaceuticals, agronomy, mechanics, biochemistry and fields<br />
of engineering . The office is located in the Caesarea industrial<br />
park and provides services to large and small Israeli companies<br />
and private entrepreneurs. His clients also include overseas<br />
companies as well as Israelis who live abroad and develop their<br />
work in other countries, but fi<strong>le</strong> their applications via his office.<br />
Several “technological incubators” in Israel make use of Dr.<br />
Tsivion's services. As a scientific consultant, he is well equipped<br />
to cultivate ideas in their earliest stages.<br />
The uniqueness of the Tsivion firm is expressed in a number<br />
of aspects:<br />
n Dr. Tsivion specializes in a broad range of fields and the expertise<br />
of his staff enab<strong>le</strong>s the firm to offer services in various fields,<br />
including areas that require interdisciplinary understanding.<br />
n The firm stresses the financial viability of idea development and<br />
patent registration - assessing filing feasibility is the first stage of<br />
the consulting process.<br />
n The firm know<strong>le</strong>dge base and administration is comp<strong>le</strong>tely<br />
computerized allowing for efficient control and time management<br />
in handling patent applications. Advanced hardware and software<br />
provides significant reductions in filing costs. In certain countries,<br />
this allows for direct applications with minimal local assistance<br />
and the capacity to present immediate filing confirmations .<br />
This is a significant advantage for companies and individuals<br />
seeking to publicize their invention in anticipation of an exhibit<br />
or presentation to a potential investor.<br />
Yoram Tsivion’s firm operates under the understanding that<br />
know<strong>le</strong>dge is power and power must be protected, and <strong>le</strong>veraged—<br />
to the greatest extent possib<strong>le</strong>, and they use every facility at their<br />
disposal to provide their clients with the highest quality of service<br />
coup<strong>le</strong>d with the most financially advantageous pricing.
14 / 15<br />
Smal<strong>le</strong>r is better:<br />
Israeli Nanotechnology is making an impact<br />
“Since the focus in nanotechnology is still on innovation, and a<br />
great deal of the work is being conducted in universities, Israel has<br />
a significant advantage in this field,” says Dr. Reshef Tenne, who<br />
<strong>le</strong>ads Weizmann Institute’s Department of Materials and Interfaces<br />
and the Martin and He<strong>le</strong>n Kimmel Center for Nanosciences.<br />
Israel’s contributions to the field are apparent in initial reports<br />
of the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme. One<br />
success story is directly linked to Dr. Tenne. The company founded<br />
on the basis of his scientific discovery, APNANO Ltd., <strong>le</strong>ads a<br />
consortium (with an investment of 18.9 million euros) which is<br />
examining the uses of nanopartic<strong>le</strong>s as lubricants and coatings<br />
for metallic surfaces in machine parts. Partners in the consortium<br />
include several major German corporations.<br />
Through Tenne’s research, carried out with Dr. Menachem<br />
Gannot and Dr. Lev Margulis, globu<strong>le</strong>s with diameters of <strong>le</strong>ss<br />
than 100 billionth of a meter were developed. Their lubrication<br />
is better than oil, and this achievement <strong>le</strong>d to the founding of<br />
APNANO. The globu<strong>le</strong>s developed by the company are intended<br />
to replace lubricant oils in car and aircraft engines. This material,<br />
designed for body armor, vehic<strong>le</strong> protection and with applications<br />
for super-large TV screens, is made of a unique metal with shock<br />
absorption five times as strong as steel.<br />
What will be the impact of nanotechnology in the future?<br />
“In the first phase, nanotech will enter simp<strong>le</strong> or even trivial<br />
fields. For instance, medicines that today exist only in formulas<br />
and need to be taken every six hours, we’ll be ab<strong>le</strong> to take just<br />
once a day and in smal<strong>le</strong>r dosages, because distribution will be<br />
better. Upgrading our miniaturization abilities and our ability<br />
to allow smart devices in our bodies will drastically change<br />
medicine, allowing us to carry out invasive procedures without<br />
painful surgery. We’ll also see improvements in foods, in optics,<br />
in e<strong>le</strong>ctronics – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”<br />
The potential for nanotechnology to transform industry through<br />
the use of new materials is demonstrated in the NOESIS project,<br />
whose participants include IAI and the Weizmann Institute of<br />
Science. The funding from the Sixth European Framework<br />
Programme is five million Euros. Other partners include Fiat, the<br />
National Center for Scientific Research in France, the Hamburg<br />
Technical University and others.<br />
This project examines the possibility of creating a new type<br />
of composite materials for use in the aerospace industry, based<br />
on combining carbon nanotubes with current materials. The new<br />
materials offer new mechanical qualities for airplane parts, such<br />
as sensory abilities, and even responsive abilities and the operation<br />
of certain devices.<br />
IAI is one of the companies deriving the most benefits from the<br />
European Framework. It has recently won the <strong>le</strong>ad of the SPEED<br />
project, with a sum of 19.2 million Euro (out of which 1.7 million<br />
are awarded directly to IAI), which will operate for three years<br />
and will work in collaboration with <strong>le</strong>ading European industrial<br />
corporations, including Airbus, Daim<strong>le</strong>r-Chrys<strong>le</strong>r, Bosch, Saab,<br />
Astral and more. The project deals with defining and imp<strong>le</strong>menting<br />
system development processes, and its goal is to bring about a<br />
significant decrease in the time and cost of developing comp<strong>le</strong>x<br />
systems, such as satellites, radars, UAVs and sophisticated e<strong>le</strong>ctronic<br />
systems. Germany’s Airbus co. is responsib<strong>le</strong> for administrative<br />
coordination, and IAI’s Dr. Winokur will act as the project’s<br />
technical administrator.<br />
Shining new light on nano-industry<br />
One large nano-project, with 16.7 million Euros earmarked, is<br />
being imp<strong>le</strong>mented by the CHRPAN consortium, and proves that the<br />
European Framework Programme is a good opportunity to acquire<br />
information and not just to impart it. Partnering in this project are<br />
the Technion and ColorChip from Israel, alongside Fraunhofer,<br />
Phillips, Germany’s Carl Zeiss, the French Committee for Atomic<br />
Energy and more. This consortium was founded on the basis of<br />
a new material processing technology using multip<strong>le</strong> ion beams,<br />
developed by the Austrian firm IMS. The technology has many<br />
uses in fields such as creating micro-<strong>le</strong>nses for cameras, creating<br />
templates for nano-etching technology, fabrication of biological<br />
and chemical components for nano-labs, improving the production<br />
process for e<strong>le</strong>ctronic components and more.<br />
The Technion in Haifa <strong>le</strong>ads the consortium’s research group,<br />
and its first meeting was held in Israel. ColorChip’s ro<strong>le</strong> in this<br />
consortium has been to develop the abilities of the beam developed<br />
by IMS in the manufacture of advanced optics. ColorChip is<br />
an Israeli start-up firm from Caesarea, which has developed an<br />
innovative technology for the creation of optical components,<br />
manufactured on glass surfaces, for the optic communications<br />
market. The company develops and produces components for<br />
household fiber-based communication systems. This January,<br />
the company comp<strong>le</strong>ted its IPO with $9.5 million, <strong>le</strong>d by the<br />
Bessemer Venture Partners fund and with the participation of the<br />
Motorola investment fund.<br />
New Metals<br />
Metals in general, and nanometallic materials in particular,<br />
hold special importance for the future of the chemical, vehicular,<br />
pharmaceutical and other industries. The SELECTNANO<br />
consortium, administrated by Bar-Ilan University and with the<br />
participation of the Hebrew University and Israeli companies<br />
OSM-DAN and InkSure, plans to supply nanometallic powders for<br />
European heavy industry, based on the new Sonoe<strong>le</strong>ctrochemistry<br />
procedure, developed at Bar-Ilan University by Dr. Aharon<br />
Gedanken and his team. The consortium has a budget of 2.78<br />
million Euros.<br />
An EU survey, examining scientific publications from 1996-<br />
2000, placed the Bar-Ilan Center for nanosciences 13th in Europe,<br />
as measured by the number of quotes on artic<strong>le</strong>s published by its<br />
researchers. Taking part in the project are three Israeli entities:<br />
Bar-Ilan University, the Hebrew University and Savyon Ltd.<br />
Leading the project is Kent University.<br />
In 2004, Bar-Ilan won one of the largest projects in the field<br />
of new materials with the founding of the 11.9 million Euro<br />
NABCO consortium, for the development of nanomaterials for<br />
use as biological markers for the biotech industry. The project<br />
will be concluded in 2008.
A consortium is a joint venture of <strong>le</strong>ading academic and industrial<br />
entities which work together to develop generic technologies. The<br />
European Union's research budgets allow Israeli companies and research<br />
organizations to take part in European consortia. Since the Fifth European<br />
Programme, Israelis can participate in consortia not only as members,<br />
but also serve as coordinators, <strong>le</strong>ading and facilitating research for the<br />
entire consortium.<br />
Shaham & Assoc. C.P.A (Isr.) and EurOption Ltd's expertise in finance<br />
and administration enab<strong>le</strong>s these organizations to manage the comp<strong>le</strong>x<br />
financial issues of European consortia with tremendous success. The firm<br />
has specialized in managing the finances of more than 20 Israeli consortia<br />
in 15 years. The firm's reputation and specific orientation have drawn<br />
several European consortia to request Shaham & Assoc.’s services of<br />
financial management and coordination, to manage professionally funds<br />
and reports. These comprehensive services of financial management are<br />
provided to consortia <strong>le</strong>d by Migal, K.L.A. Tencor, PalBam, the Hebrew<br />
University of Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m, the Gali<strong>le</strong>e Development Authority, Tadiran<br />
Spectralink and others.<br />
Shaham & Assoc. offers many advantages. First, it allows the<br />
who<strong>le</strong> consortium to take full advantage of EU benefits. The firm's<br />
thorough understanding of EU regulations and its familiarity with R&D<br />
accountancy enab<strong>le</strong>s clients to receive swift and maximum support. In<br />
most cases, organizations receive support for all eligib<strong>le</strong> costs, including<br />
overheads.<br />
The firm's excel<strong>le</strong>nt organizational skills assure compliance with strict<br />
EU accounting requirements, which necessitate that financial reports be<br />
submitted within 45 days of the conclusion of each R&D period. Adherence<br />
to this schedu<strong>le</strong> is crucial to secure funds for continued research, and in<br />
addition, to maintain a positive cash flow.<br />
For examp<strong>le</strong>, the final sett<strong>le</strong>ment of accounts for the Ocsli consortium<br />
(whose R&D period concluded in December 2005), was comp<strong>le</strong>ted by<br />
April 2006!(a record, considering that financial and technological reports<br />
had to be attained from each European and Israeli consortium member,<br />
and they had to be coordinated, consolidated and presented to the EU.<br />
The process was closely monitored, and full support was achieved for<br />
all R&D expenses). These records are appreciated not only by clients,<br />
but also by the European commission authorities, who views them as<br />
indicators of high-<strong>le</strong>vel professional Israeli management.<br />
The firm removes the burden of financial management from the<br />
Managing the f inancial<br />
support from the European<br />
R&D Funds<br />
The digital age shrinks distances and stresses quality.<br />
Accounting firm Shaham Assoc.C.P.A.(Isr.)along with<br />
EurOption Ltd specialize in managing the varied financial<br />
management aspects and accounting reports of over ten<br />
European consortia! / Daniel Efrati<br />
coordinating company, allowing the organization and the coordinator<br />
specifically, to focus its efforts fully on research and technology. The firm<br />
has developed professional cooperation with the EU's officers (as well as<br />
ISERD), <strong>le</strong>ading to excel<strong>le</strong>nt results for all consortium members.<br />
Consortium members can be confident that reliab<strong>le</strong> financial management<br />
Shaham & Assoc. C.P.A (Isr.) and EurOption Ltd's expertise in financial management and coordination, enab<strong>le</strong>s<br />
consortium coordinator to manage the comp<strong>le</strong>x financial issues of European consortia with tremendous success<br />
will allow them to secure needed funding. When choosing and allocating<br />
their resources among research projects, authorities will always prefer<br />
consortia whose finances are properly managed.<br />
Shaham & Assoc.’s know<strong>le</strong>dge and extensive experience are also a<br />
valuab<strong>le</strong> “asset” for individual firms seeking the support of the European<br />
Programme. They can gain financial and accounting advice based upon<br />
an in-depth understanding of the entire system, and count<strong>le</strong>ss successful<br />
interactions and specific financial reports prepared for EU officers. The<br />
Sixth EU Programme requires that all participating consortium members<br />
present a comp<strong>le</strong>te R&D cost report and an Audit Certificate. To meet<br />
these requirements, accounting firms that are not specialists cannot<br />
meet easily the demands. Shaham has <strong>le</strong>vered its know<strong>le</strong>dge and EU<br />
connections to allow companies to hand<strong>le</strong> these requirements easily, by<br />
supplying ongoing accounting services that answer the specific needs<br />
of each company.<br />
Shaham & Assoc.’s know<strong>le</strong>dge and extensive experience are also a valuab<strong>le</strong> “asset” for varied individual firms, seeking<br />
the support of the European Programme. They can gain financial and accounting advice based upon an in-depth<br />
understanding of the entire system, and count<strong>le</strong>ss successful interactions with EU officers regarding R& D cost reports<br />
These services allow the full utilization of benefits and the acceptance<br />
of the greatest amount of support in the shortest time, whi<strong>le</strong> fully obeying<br />
the law and EU ru<strong>le</strong>s (hundreds of pages long). Financial trust is assured,<br />
a crucial aspect of a company's reputation.<br />
These services can be provided only by an accountant well-versed<br />
in these comp<strong>le</strong>x fields, and therefore it's no surprise that remarkab<strong>le</strong><br />
industrial companies and academic institutes from the first rank of Israeli<br />
R&D <strong>le</strong>aders have chosen Shaham & Assoc. Clients include Ormat,<br />
Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Universities, Alvarion, Compugen, RAD<br />
Communications, V-CON (an Emblaze subsidiary), Atena/GS-3 (an H.<br />
Mer subsidiary) and many others.<br />
In anticipating the Seventh Framework Programme, we expect that<br />
many more will seek the benefit of the know<strong>le</strong>dge, experience and<br />
expertise of the Shaham & Assoc.C.P.A Firm as well as EurOption Ltd.<br />
This expertise will be especially value in light of program changes and<br />
new comp<strong>le</strong>xities anticipated in accounting and R&D cost reporting<br />
guidelines and eligibility.<br />
(For further information - p<strong>le</strong>ase contact directly - Shaham &<br />
Assoc. C.P.A / EurOption Ltd. TEL: 03-5751122)
16 / 17<br />
The European Framework Programme:<br />
RSL, IAI and ATCT:<br />
Improving aircraft maintenance<br />
Investment: 40 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Daim<strong>le</strong>r-Chrys<strong>le</strong>r, Tha<strong>le</strong>s, A<strong>le</strong>nia, SAGEM, BAE,<br />
Airbus, Marconi and others.<br />
Airlines spend some 20% of operating costs on maintenance, but<br />
it is possib<strong>le</strong> to reduce these costs. Mechanics spend some 30%<br />
of their time trying to locate malfunctions, and human errors in<br />
maintenance are responsib<strong>le</strong> for 15% of all accidents. The goal<br />
of the TATEM project is to recognize and corroborate the use of<br />
various techniques and technologies to make aircraft maintenance<br />
more efficient.<br />
Wisair: Pervasive UWB low spectral radio<br />
Investment: 37.2 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Motorola, Tha<strong>le</strong>s, STMicroe<strong>le</strong>ctronics, Mitsubishi,<br />
Te<strong>le</strong>phonica, France Te<strong>le</strong>com and others.<br />
Wisair is participating in the PULSERS consortium, a strategic<br />
and prestigious project of the EU's Sixth Framework. The goal<br />
is the development of ultra-wide-band technology for wire<strong>le</strong>ss<br />
communications, including technology, infrastructure, applications,<br />
regulations, locating UWB technologies and more. The project's<br />
importance has <strong>le</strong>d to the involvement of key international<br />
industries.<br />
IS-4 International:<br />
Responding to airborne threats<br />
Investment: 36 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Siemens, Rockwell, Airbus, BAE, Tha<strong>le</strong>s, EADS,<br />
Gali<strong>le</strong>o Avionics and others.<br />
Leading European aerospace firms have invited the Israeli IS-4 to<br />
join the SAFEE consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by the French SAGEM company.<br />
The consortium's goal is to develop new methods and technologies<br />
to improve in-flight security, particularly against terror threats. The<br />
goal of the consortium members is to ensure that every plane will<br />
comp<strong>le</strong>te its journey safely. The infrastructure under development<br />
includes sensors, communication systems and command and<br />
control systems capab<strong>le</strong> of dealing with in-flight threats.<br />
Apnano: Nanopartic<strong>le</strong>s for<br />
machine parts<br />
Investment: 19 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Uppsala University (Sweden), Newcast<strong>le</strong> University<br />
(UK), EADS, Rolls-Royce, the French Atomic Energy Committee<br />
and others.<br />
The Foremost Project is based upon Israeli technologies developed<br />
at the Weizmann Institute, with applications developed by Apnano,<br />
a producer of nanometric tubes and materials from non-organic<br />
compounds. These materials are exceptionally resistant to abrasion,<br />
Stories of<br />
pressure and heat, and Apnano has developed the capacity to<br />
mass produce them. The consortium examines ways to use these<br />
materials as coatings for engineering surfaces and as lubricants,<br />
to save energy and improve performance of machine parts (in<br />
aviation, automotive, energy production and heavy industry).<br />
BioKine Therapeutics: Innovative<br />
Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases<br />
Investment: 18.8 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris), Munich<br />
University, Lodz Medical School, Novartis and others.<br />
The INNOCHEM consortium comprises a large number of research<br />
and industrial groups focusing on new chemo-kine-based treatments<br />
for autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. After five years,<br />
clinical trials will be held. BioKine is located in Rehovot.<br />
Theravir and the Hebrew University:<br />
Advancing Genetics in Medicine<br />
Investment: 18 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Bologna Technological Institute, The Czech Institute<br />
for Mo<strong>le</strong>cular Genetics, Ulm University (Germany), and others.<br />
The CLINIGENE consortium was founded with the aim of<br />
establishing a European network of researchers and industrialists<br />
in medical genetic research. The shared goal is to advance gene<br />
therapy through the development of safe and reliab<strong>le</strong> systems.<br />
The network also focuses on gene transfer and the integration of<br />
studies and multidisciplinary developments in the treatment and<br />
mobilization of genes. A full range of organizations are involved<br />
in developing genetically based medical products and treatments.<br />
These include academia, industry, regulatory bodies, clinics and<br />
hospitals.<br />
Technion and ColorChip: Nanometric<br />
Structures<br />
Investment: 16.7 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Fraunhofer, Phillips, Carl Zeiss (Germany), the<br />
French Atomic Energy Committee and others.<br />
The CHARPAN consortium advances innovative technology in<br />
processing materials through multip<strong>le</strong> ion beams, developed by<br />
the Austrian IMS company. The technology has many potential<br />
applications, among them: production of camera micro-<strong>le</strong>nses to<br />
creating templates for nano-etching technology, fabrication of<br />
biological and chemical components for nano-labs and improving<br />
the production process for e<strong>le</strong>ctronic components. The aim is<br />
to develop solutions for the production of minuscu<strong>le</strong>, comp<strong>le</strong>x<br />
three-dimensional templates with precision at a nanometric <strong>le</strong>vel.<br />
A follow-up project, involving the Technion in operation.
Israeli Success<br />
Israel has enjoyed<br />
impressive success - and<br />
considerab<strong>le</strong> financial<br />
support - in response to<br />
proposals presented to<br />
the European Framework<br />
Programme for Research<br />
and Technological<br />
Development. Below are<br />
projects which highlight<br />
Israeli contributions to<br />
varied fields. The focus is<br />
on originality in science<br />
and technology<br />
Yamar: Preventing Accidents<br />
Investment: 16.6 Million Euro<br />
Other Key Partners: Daim<strong>le</strong>r-Chrys<strong>le</strong>r, Fiat, Motorola,<br />
Siemens<br />
Yamar joined one of Europe’s strongest endeavors to develop a<br />
vehicular accident prevention system. The SPARC project is seeking<br />
to create a platform that allows vehic<strong>le</strong>s to receive information<br />
on road conditions from various information sources, including<br />
cameras, GPS and radar, to assess risk and avoid accidents. It<br />
is anticipated that the partners will adapt the system- originally<br />
planned for trucks - to private vehic<strong>le</strong>s.<br />
Stem Cell Research at Hebrew University<br />
Investment: 16.5 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Basel University, Edinburgh University, the Dresden<br />
Technological University and others.<br />
The special qualities of stem cells provide many opportunities<br />
to <strong>le</strong>arn about the nature of the human cell division process<br />
and diseases. SCT is a member of the ESTOOLS consortium,<br />
coordinated by the UK's Sheffield University. The consortium<br />
is working toward developing and imp<strong>le</strong>menting instructional<br />
tools on genetic activities and mo<strong>le</strong>cular networks that regulate<br />
the regeneration and cellular differentiation in human embryonic<br />
stem cells. The goal is to develop a research platform to advance<br />
bio-medical breakthroughs.
18 / 19<br />
Crytec: Frozen Food Quality<br />
Investment: 165 Million Euro<br />
Key Israeli partners: Volcani, Afcon, Motorola Israel, Freshpoint<br />
Quality Assurance and OSM-Dan<br />
This four-year project of the CHILL-ON consortium is designed<br />
to meet the need to supply quality control for frozen foods. The<br />
project will include the development of a computer infrastructure<br />
based tracking system capab<strong>le</strong> of supplying the authorities with<br />
the tools to carry out quality control and monitoring of the<br />
marketing routs of frozen and chil<strong>le</strong>d foods. Among the project's<br />
goals are improving storage and delivery systems, innovative<br />
packing solutions, a mobi<strong>le</strong> control unit and an information and<br />
communication technology software system. In its first phases<br />
the project will focus on fish and seafood, broadening to poultry<br />
in a later stage.<br />
Exent Technologies and Amal:<br />
Multimedia applications<br />
Investment: 15.8 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Phillips, VTT Finland, Fraunhofer, DT Austria<br />
Eindhoven University, Portugal Te<strong>le</strong>com and T-online.<br />
Exent Technologies <strong>le</strong>ads the Games@Large consortium, a fouryear<br />
project dedicated to developing new computing architecture<br />
to advance processing powers. The goal is to provide affordab<strong>le</strong><br />
solutions for businesses and homes that will permit any device<br />
to operate computer games on any platform, from computers to<br />
te<strong>le</strong>vision. The projected comp<strong>le</strong>tion is planned for 2010, and it<br />
will be re<strong>le</strong>ased in the European market by T-Online and Portugal<br />
Te<strong>le</strong>com, in Latin America by Portugal Te<strong>le</strong>com and in North<br />
America and Asia by the Israeli Exent company.<br />
Weizmann Institute: Proteins for<br />
biomedical uses<br />
Investment: 15 Million Euro<br />
Key Partners: Oxford University, The European Mo<strong>le</strong>cular<br />
Biology Laboratory, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility,<br />
York University and others.<br />
The SPINE2-COMPLEXES consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by Oxford University,<br />
is planned as a four-year project. Its two main goals are in the<br />
field of structural biology: developing systems to gain insight<br />
into proteins, and examining the function of proteins and protein<br />
comp<strong>le</strong>xes in signaling pathways that affect human health.<br />
Protelogics: Investigating proteins at<br />
Technion and Hebrew University<br />
Investment: 15 Million Euro<br />
Other Key Partners: the Technion in Haifa, the Hebrew University,<br />
the Medical Center University (Netherlands), the Pasteur Institute<br />
(France), the Max Delbrück Center for Mo<strong>le</strong>cular Medicine<br />
(Germany) and more.<br />
The RUBICON consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by Sweden's Karolinska Institute,<br />
is investigating the ro<strong>le</strong> of the ubiquitin protein and ubiquitin-like<br />
modifiers in the cellular inhibition process. The project focuses<br />
on promoting rapid advancement in researching the mo<strong>le</strong>cular<br />
princip<strong>le</strong>s of protein changes caused by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like<br />
mo<strong>le</strong>cular bonding. Investigations will also examine the ro<strong>le</strong> these<br />
mo<strong>le</strong>cu<strong>le</strong>s have on the inhibition of basic biological processes, and<br />
the implications for treatment of pathological conditions, such as<br />
chronic inflammations, nerve degeneration and cancer.<br />
Tel Aviv and Hebrew Universities and<br />
Savyon Diagnostics: Nanometric chips<br />
Investment: 12 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Genetix (UK), the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov<br />
Institute (Russia), the East China University of Science and<br />
Technology and others<br />
The Nacbo consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by Kent University, seeks to develop<br />
materials for use in biological recognition processes via the<br />
construction of nanometrically etched chips. The project focuses<br />
on mo<strong>le</strong>cular diagnostics and will develop new and improved<br />
solutions in biology, medicine, chemistry, process engineering<br />
and the environment. Among other goals, it will help develop,<br />
manufacture and market testing kits for infectious diseases.<br />
Tel Aviv and Hebrew Universities and<br />
Weizmann: The future internet<br />
Investment: 8.9 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Swedish Institute of Computer Science<br />
(SICS), Ericsson, France Te<strong>le</strong>com, Magdeburg University, CETIC,<br />
ICTP and others.<br />
The EVERGROW consortium is an international laboratory which<br />
studies and advances the chal<strong>le</strong>nges for the next generation of the<br />
internet. Under development is the construction of a system that<br />
simulates the internet of the future using a high-speed computer<br />
grid. The goal is to <strong>le</strong>arn how the web will work, analyze traffic<br />
characteristics, its physical and logical structure, control systems<br />
and its service potential. The consortium will develop scientific<br />
models for the development of the internet of the future.
IBM Israel and Weizmann Institute:<br />
Improving design of e<strong>le</strong>ctronic systems<br />
Investment: 7.6 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Infineon Technologies, STMicroe<strong>le</strong>ctronics,<br />
Fourier University in Grenob<strong>le</strong>.<br />
The PROSYD consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by IBM Israel, began its work in<br />
January 2004 and will conclude the project in December 2006.<br />
The goal is to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of<br />
the European IT industry by developing a new standart - based<br />
approach to designing e<strong>le</strong>ctronic systems. This new methodology<br />
will unify and streamline different phases in the development of<br />
e<strong>le</strong>ctronic systems, including definition requirements, planning,<br />
imp<strong>le</strong>mentation and verification, into a comp<strong>le</strong>te planning sequence.<br />
This project is intended to improve work processes and to achieve<br />
a 30% increase in productivity.<br />
Optibase: Arttic advances a new<br />
appropach to digital rights and management<br />
Investment: 6 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: France Te<strong>le</strong>com, Imperial Col<strong>le</strong>ge of London,<br />
NagraViaion (Switzerland), the Industrial Technology Research<br />
Institute of Taiwan and others.<br />
The goal of the TIRAMISU project, <strong>le</strong>d by the Optibase company,<br />
is to develop new methods for copyright protection of digital media,<br />
without damaging the potential distribution, marketing and use of<br />
Most e<strong>le</strong>ctronic communications is based upon linking up with GEO<br />
satellites located in a distance of 36,000 km (at “C” or “Ku” band) over<br />
the equator. These satellites remain in fixed positions relative to the<br />
earth's movement. Since deployment requires a steady and permanent<br />
link between the device and the satellite, connectivity between a<br />
satellite and an airborne jet, seafaring vessel or high-speed train can<br />
be prob<strong>le</strong>matic. The new te<strong>le</strong>communication systems developed by<br />
ORBIT give clients fast, reliab<strong>le</strong> broadband internet abilities.<br />
The chief technological achievement of these systems is their high<br />
stabilization capability and ability to maintain line of sight with the<br />
satellite even under the difficult, complicated conditions of mobi<strong>le</strong><br />
vehic<strong>le</strong>s in which these systems are instal<strong>le</strong>d. Business peop<strong>le</strong> (or<br />
anyone, for that matter) can continue their routine communications<br />
from a plane or a boat – send and receive e-mail, conduct te<strong>le</strong>phone<br />
conversations and other activities.<br />
ORBIT's latest cutting-edge system is a low profi<strong>le</strong> antenna for<br />
high-speed trains. Thousands of passengers can continue surfing the<br />
net and remain in virtual touch as though they were still at home or<br />
their office. This capability could save thousands of work-hours which<br />
would have been lost without this technology. Supertankers carrying<br />
fuel or other substances can keep tabs in real time of the changing<br />
price of their cargo (during the months they spend at sea).<br />
Other long-term seafarers – tourists on extended cruises or crews on<br />
military ships –can receive real-time information from various landbased<br />
media: they can watch TV, or even see the happy face - sent as<br />
internet fi<strong>le</strong>s – of their daughter who just passed her driving test… or<br />
Home and Away<br />
the content. The project will investigate Digital Rights Management<br />
(DRM) technologies and develop an approach that utilizes the best<br />
technologies to facilitate the distribution of digital media to TV<br />
sets, DVD players, music players, cell phones and PCs, without<br />
damaging the property rights of the digital media.<br />
Gilat: Satellite Communications<br />
Inter-Operability<br />
Investment: 5.4 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Avanti Communications (UK), Tellitec Engineering<br />
(Germany), and the Universities of Helsinki and Salonika<br />
Gilat Satellite Networks <strong>le</strong>ads the VIVALDI consortium, which<br />
focuses on developing architecture, technologies and protocols for<br />
broadband access to satellite applications in hybrid networks. The<br />
goal is to develop inexpensive access technology for applications<br />
and services which demand high quality of service (QoS), such<br />
as VoIP.<br />
Mekorot: Safety for drinking water<br />
Investment: 5.2 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: University of Barcelona, UNESCO, UWI,<br />
Cranfield University (Belgium), the Aachen Water Research<br />
Institute, the Berlin Technical University and others.<br />
Mekorot is participating in two projects to improve the quality of<br />
water and safely use recyc<strong>le</strong>d drinking water. The projects (Switch<br />
and Reclaim Water) investigate re-using urban sewage water to<br />
stem the world water shortage. Both projects investigate methods<br />
use their phone to reprimand their child for not doing homework…<br />
The technology developed by ORBIT is based on a combination of<br />
e<strong>le</strong>ctronic mechanics and algorithms, embedded in a system capab<strong>le</strong><br />
of stabilizing, tracking and locking on a satellite even whi<strong>le</strong> moving<br />
quickly and erratically.<br />
Whi<strong>le</strong> these systems are largely for the civilian world, they can be<br />
used for military purposes, since the need for real time information is<br />
a defining characteristic of the batt<strong>le</strong>field of the future. It's no accident<br />
that systems developed by ORBIT have been integrated in military<br />
carriers developed by all of Israel's defense industries – Elisra, Elta,<br />
IAI, Elbit and RAFAEL.<br />
The fact that the systems are integrated in different carriers requires<br />
technological cooperation between ORBIT and other companies, largely<br />
on the antenna/modem/distribution-system link. This link is an essential<br />
aspect in maximizing the company's technological capabilities.<br />
ORBIT, founded in the 1950's, has subsidiaries in the U.S and Britain.<br />
The Israeli office has some 200 employees, with another hundred or so<br />
at the subsidiaries. The engineers and technologically-trained workers<br />
are graduates of some of the finest institutes of higher education in their<br />
fields. In recent years, the company has achieved considerab<strong>le</strong> growth: It<br />
controls some 25% of the world market for seaborne stabilization, aiming<br />
and tracking systems. Thanks to its unique and powerful technological<br />
capabilities, the company joined the sixth round of the European<br />
Union's R&D Framework Programme, developing communication<br />
systems for use in high-speed trains and aircraft.<br />
These capabilities will continue to attract collaborations between
20 / 21<br />
to safely return water to underground sources such as aquifers.<br />
Treatment plans are compared, and the effects of chemical and<br />
microbiological activity on water are examined.<br />
Hadassah Medical Center: New Genetic<br />
Treatments<br />
Investment: 5 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Max Delbrück Center for Mo<strong>le</strong>cular Medicine<br />
(Germany), the Kennedy Center Eye Clinic (Denmark), the Hungary<br />
National Medical Center and others.<br />
The INTHER consortium develops gene transfer strategies for<br />
treating inherited and acquired human disorders. The partners<br />
will develop and imp<strong>le</strong>ment varied technologies. The three year<br />
project will develop and test genetic treatment methods for somatic<br />
diseases that are a priority for European health.<br />
IAI and the Weizmann Institute<br />
for Science: Nanotubes for aircraft<br />
construction<br />
Investment: 5 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Fiat, the French National Institute for Scientific<br />
Research, the Hamburg Technical University and more.<br />
The NOESIS consortium is a collaboration with IAI and the<br />
Weizmann Institute in the field of carbon nanotubes for aircraft<br />
construction. The project focuses on the development of composite<br />
flight materials possessing new metallurgic qualities and sensory<br />
capabilities, including in-flight tracking of aerodynamic structures<br />
and varied response capabilities.<br />
Elop: Detecting Atmospheric Flight<br />
Hazards<br />
Investment: 4.7 Euro<br />
Other Partners: Tha<strong>le</strong>s, the National Office for the Teaching<br />
and Study of Flight (ONDRA – France), Louvain University<br />
(Belgium) and others.<br />
Elop <strong>le</strong>ads the Fidelio consortium, founded to imp<strong>le</strong>ment<br />
atmospheric hazard detection laser technology for aircraft. The<br />
goal is to improve safety in all-weather flight. The focus in the<br />
development of a LIDAR-type laser, adapted for use on aircraft in<br />
keeping with appropriate safety, reliability and weight parameters.<br />
The European aerospace industry is enthusiastic about this highly<br />
regarded project, which the European Commission presented as a<br />
model project in its June 2006 Aeronautics Day in Vienna.<br />
Saliwell: Smart Re<strong>le</strong>ase of Anti-Narcotic<br />
Medicines<br />
Investment: 3.9 Million Euro<br />
Israeli partners: Bio-Rad, Relsoft System, Assuta Medical Center<br />
(coordinator) and Israel's Anti-Drug Authority<br />
Other Partners: Fraunhofer, the Universities of Warsaw, Pa<strong>le</strong>rmo<br />
and Berlin<br />
The goal of the IntelliDrug project is to develop an innovative<br />
intra-oral device to re<strong>le</strong>ase medicines for treating drug addictions.<br />
The goal is to control re<strong>le</strong>ase over the course of days, weeks and<br />
months, in accordance with individual patient data. A monitoring<br />
apparatus will gather information to be analyzed by an internal<br />
signal processing system.<br />
Compugen: Models for RNA Research.<br />
Investment: 3.8 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Zurich University, Warsaw University, the<br />
European Mo<strong>le</strong>cular Biology Laboratory (Germany) and<br />
others.<br />
The RIBOSYS consortium, <strong>le</strong>d by Edinburgh University is planned<br />
as a three-year project. It will investigate RNA metabolism<br />
processes in yeast, in the framework of a project adapting biological<br />
system approaches as models for understanding metabolism. The<br />
project will build a model of the comp<strong>le</strong>x cellular pathways of<br />
RNA metabolism through the biological system. The investigation<br />
of yeast offers insight into human cellular pathways, which are<br />
difficult to examine.<br />
The Jewish Agency and the Technion: A<br />
toolbox for cultural heritage<br />
Investment: 3.7 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Technion, ORT France, Fondazione IARD<br />
and others.<br />
The MOSAICA project is developing a computerized toolbox for<br />
intelligent presentations, accessing information for self-discovery<br />
experiences and advancing semantic and communal approach to<br />
cultural heritage. The development is intended for all European<br />
cultural heritage, but will begin with Jewish heritage. The French<br />
ORT education network is a partner.<br />
Motorola Israel and ARTTIC: Safer and<br />
smarter driving<br />
Investment: 3.7 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: The Munich Technical University, TNO (the
A.T.I. Ashkelon:<br />
The Road to Revenue<br />
The A.T.I. Ashkelon technological<br />
business center invites inventors<br />
and entrepreneurs to realize their<br />
business potential<br />
/ By Ynon Avishar<br />
Every scientific and technological<br />
entrepreneur dreams of transforming a<br />
brilliant idea into a productive business<br />
venture. One impressive success<br />
was recently achieved by an Israeli<br />
company cultivated at ATI, the Ashkelon<br />
Technological Industries businesstechnology<br />
center. The company’s<br />
excel<strong>le</strong>nt idea <strong>le</strong>d to the sa<strong>le</strong> of the firm<br />
to a giant multinational corporation for<br />
David Wazana<br />
$120 million.<br />
David Wazana, the energetic Managing Director of ATI, says<br />
that the ro<strong>le</strong> of his technological center is to transform abstract<br />
ideas into prosperous businesses. ATI helps firms develop concepts<br />
into business entities in fields including medical equipment, biomedicine,<br />
dental equipment, energy, environmental projects,<br />
advanced materials, nanotechnology, water treatment and<br />
communications.<br />
Managing Director Wazana and the ATI board of directors<br />
help draw strategic investors to projects with the potential to<br />
earn high profits. ATI opens the gates to private, institutional and<br />
venture-capital firms, and offers a team of skil<strong>le</strong>d technological<br />
and business development experts to support the projects through<br />
all steps of the path of business success.<br />
Another significant advantage ATI provides for researchers and<br />
entrepreneurs is world class marketing connections to support the<br />
product's technological development and commercial marketing.<br />
ATI has strong ties in Asia (China, Taiwan and South Korea),<br />
Europe and the United States.<br />
Wazana notes that “In twenty years, we've built an enormous<br />
amount of experience. We are ab<strong>le</strong> to recognize success stories from<br />
the start, by thoroughly examining the business and technological<br />
aspects of an idea. ATI may be seen as a technological capital<br />
fund, which offers excel<strong>le</strong>nt terms for advancing new projects<br />
and financial support from government, private investor and<br />
strategic funds.”<br />
The ATI technological business center, began in the early 1990's<br />
as a tech incubator. But it is highly regarded for its success in<br />
bringing to life brilliant ideas for high-profit business projects.<br />
In addition to wise, caring guidance for entrepreneurs, ATI<br />
recommends setting up shop in Ashkelon – a vibrant and strategically<br />
located city, with convenient train routes to the Haifa and Ashdod<br />
ports and Ben Gurion International Airport.<br />
ATI has already founded several successful industrial<br />
manufacturers. These companies now have operations throughout<br />
the countriy, from Rehovot and Ashdod to Jerusa<strong>le</strong>m and Netivot. For<br />
instance, Nutra<strong>le</strong>ase, located in Mishor Edumim, is a manufacturer<br />
of health food supp<strong>le</strong>ments produced by the use of nanotechnology.<br />
Its nano-emulsion supp<strong>le</strong>ments may be absorbed in liquids without<br />
affecting taste, texture or clarity.<br />
Other companies include two water treatment firms working<br />
with Mekorot: Treatec21, which develops water purification<br />
technologies, has recruited significant capital. The company has<br />
expanded, advanced business ties and is developing a line of<br />
products. Another firm, En Gibton, develops unique ceramic-based<br />
and organic materials to filter biological and chemical contaminants<br />
from well waters. These replace environmentally hazardous and<br />
inefficient carbon-based filters.<br />
M.S.Vision, a medical device company, is developing a unique<br />
c<strong>le</strong>ansing system for internal medical examinations. The system<br />
c<strong>le</strong>ans endoscope <strong>le</strong>nses and prevents loss of clarity upon contact<br />
with bodily fluids, thus maintaining a c<strong>le</strong>ar field of vision throughout<br />
the procedure.<br />
Homeland security company Sea-Eye develops underseas<br />
communication systems based on sea-floor-to-surface signaling<br />
by advanced acoustics, allowing the transmission of real-time<br />
video. Arcoline Ltd. is developing an automatic circuit breaker<br />
capab<strong>le</strong> of re-routing power supplies to peripheral substations in a<br />
record 0.3 milliseconds, in the event of power failures. This swift<br />
shut-down prevents damage that may be caused by the current<br />
generation of circuit breakers, which disconnect at the relatively<br />
slow speed of 1.5 milliseconds.<br />
Botanocap Ltd. develops natural agricultural and veterinary<br />
pest control microcapsu<strong>le</strong>s of essential oils to replace harmful<br />
chemicals and pesticides.<br />
Uri-Dent Ltd. develops innovative dental crowns for children<br />
made out of polymers with metallic qualities, for children’s<br />
molars. They are tooth-colored and without al<strong>le</strong>rgens (nickel<br />
free). The company was founded in 2003 by Dr. Uri Zilberman,<br />
who directs the children’s dental division of Ashkelon's Barzilai<br />
Hospital. His highly regarded crown has passed the scrutiny of<br />
the American FDA.<br />
Topimed Ltd. is developing a skin ointment to treat damage<br />
caused by age, disease or medical side effects. This ointment<br />
works very efficiently on inner dermal layers.<br />
Would you like to join this roster of success stories? The only<br />
address you need to transform your great idea into a commercial<br />
success is ATI: 08-675-1122, ati@ati.co.il
22 / 23<br />
Netherlands), the National Institute for the Study of Information<br />
and Automation (France).<br />
The React consortium, founded and <strong>le</strong>d by Motorola Israel, is<br />
seeking to manufacture an aid for safe and smart driving, using a<br />
sensor suite instal<strong>le</strong>d inside the vehic<strong>le</strong>. The sensors will monitor<br />
weather conditions and road infrastructure, and broadcast the<br />
information to a command and control center. This data will be<br />
analyzed in real time by a unique decision making model, and<br />
used to broadcast warnings and instructions to drivers, authorities<br />
and road security and enforcement services. By using vehic<strong>le</strong>s<br />
as mobi<strong>le</strong> sensors, the system can provide up-to-the-second<br />
information on all traffic routes.<br />
Holon Institute of Technology and<br />
Wisair: Fiber optics communications<br />
Investment: 3.6 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Va<strong>le</strong>ncia Technological University, the Centre<br />
for Photonics (UK), Tes E<strong>le</strong>ctronics, Tha<strong>le</strong>s.<br />
The UROOF project comprises a consortium investigating the<br />
technological feasibility for delivering ultra-wideband radio<br />
signals through fiber-optic infrastructures. Other partners in the<br />
consortium are development institutes.<br />
Palbam: Utilizing magnesium<br />
technologies for aerospace by IAI and Alubin<br />
Investment: 3.4 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: IAI, Airbus, EADS, Hanover University and<br />
others.<br />
Airbus <strong>le</strong>ads the MAGFORMING consortium, coordinated by<br />
the Israeli Palbam. The project advances magnesium processing<br />
methods for the aerospace industry, and focuses on developing<br />
technologies to improve the use of magnesium to lower aircraft<br />
weight, decrease fuel consumption for land vehic<strong>le</strong>s and develop<br />
new magnesium production and industrial design technologies.<br />
Ben Gurion University: Deciphering the<br />
Genetic Code<br />
Investment: 3.1 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: University of Brussels, the Stockholm<br />
Bioinformation Center, the Ontario Cancer Institute, ALMA<br />
and others.<br />
Decrypting the information coded in the gene sequence and its<br />
application to the biological function of genes and proteins is a<br />
key chal<strong>le</strong>nge in the post-genomic era. The GeneFun consortium<br />
focuses on the computerized prediction of gene functionality, and<br />
seeks to solve prob<strong>le</strong>ms pertaining to data in genome data bases,<br />
to develop data quality assessment methods, automatic sequence<br />
analysis and use of the internet to decode sequences.<br />
The Weizmann Institute and Evogene:<br />
Engineering Plants<br />
Investment: 3 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: The Czech Institute of Experimental Botany,<br />
the French National Center for Scientific Research, Geneva<br />
University and others.<br />
Plants may be viewed as environmentally friendly, solar powered<br />
factories, capab<strong>le</strong> of manufacturing medicinal proteins. The<br />
TAGIP consortium, guided by the Weizmann Institute, focuses<br />
on integrating target genes in plants to induce them to produce<br />
medicinal compounds. The project also addresses a range of issues<br />
to make medicines more effective.<br />
KLA Tencor Israel: New measuring<br />
technologies for CMOS production<br />
Investment: 2.9 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: AMD Germany, the Belgium University of<br />
Micro-E<strong>le</strong>ctronics and others.<br />
KLA <strong>le</strong>ads the OCSLI consortium which promotes measuring<br />
technologies for the production process of silicon chips, using<br />
65 nanometer technologiesand beyond. The chip production<br />
process involves the creation of multip<strong>le</strong> layers of material, which<br />
requires accurate measurements to reduce the chip rejection rate.<br />
The project was comp<strong>le</strong>ted in October 2005 by developing new<br />
solutions for a reliab<strong>le</strong> measuring system.<br />
Bar-Ilan University, Inksure and OSM-<br />
DAN: Nanometals against forgery<br />
Investment: 2.8 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Hebrew University, the Max Planck Institute,<br />
POMETON (Italy), BASF (Germany) and more<br />
Bar-Ilan University <strong>le</strong>ads the Se<strong>le</strong>ctNano consortium, designed<br />
to find new applications for nanometallic partic<strong>le</strong>s. The project is<br />
based upon a new process cal<strong>le</strong>d Sonoe<strong>le</strong>ctrochemistry, developed<br />
in Bar-Ilan, which allows the production of metallic partic<strong>le</strong>s at a<br />
nanometric sca<strong>le</strong>. These partic<strong>le</strong>s can be used as anti-counterfeiting<br />
measures by adding them to the ink used in printing coding labels<br />
and as pigment and coatings additives and in the production of<br />
conductive materials. The partic<strong>le</strong>s' use will be tested by inclusion<br />
in paints and inks used for authentication purposes.<br />
The Hebrew University and Tel Aviv<br />
University: DNA-Based Nanoe<strong>le</strong>ctronics<br />
Investment: 2.3 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: Regensburg University, Madrid University, the<br />
Lausanne School of Technology and others.<br />
The DNA-NANODEVICES group includes Europe's <strong>le</strong>ading<br />
scientific institutes in the field of nanoe<strong>le</strong>ctronics. The group is<br />
seeking to develop systems for production of extremely small DNA<br />
- based nano devices. The aim is to investigate different aspects<br />
of this future technology, including a theoretical understanding<br />
of aspects of energy; developing control technologies for the<br />
new components and classification. The main goal is to develop<br />
a prototype e<strong>le</strong>ctronic component based upon a sing<strong>le</strong> DNA<br />
mo<strong>le</strong>cu<strong>le</strong>.<br />
The Volcani Institute, Analyst Research<br />
Laboratories and OSM-DAN:<br />
Insight into fertility<br />
Investment: 2.2 Million Euro<br />
Other Key Partners: the Wessex Institute of Technology, the<br />
MRC Institute of Health and the Environment (UK), the National<br />
Research Institute (France) and others.<br />
In recent years, much interest has been focused on the general<br />
decrease in fertility. Experiments demonstrate that many chemicals
imitate the activity of fertility hormones, which may mean that<br />
exposure to environmental pollutants could affect reproductive<br />
rates. The F&F consortium, managed by the Israeli OSM-DAN,<br />
is investigating the effect of environmental on fertility, to identify<br />
and assess the presence of pharmaceutical products found in the<br />
environment (particularly fertility hormones such as estrogen,<br />
androgen and thyroid hormones), and to study their effect upon<br />
human fertility.<br />
Haifa, Hebrew, Tel Aviv Universities and<br />
Weizmann: Social networks<br />
Investment: 1.8 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: The French Center for Scientific research,<br />
University Col<strong>le</strong>ge London, Vienna Technical University and<br />
others.<br />
The PhD project, which includes research centers throughout<br />
Europe, connects <strong>le</strong>ading research groups with young researchers<br />
(PhDs and post-doctorates) from various mathematical fields,<br />
including probability science, multidimensional geometry,<br />
combinatorics, mathematical physics and more. The goal of<br />
the program is to train the researchers in new scientific fields<br />
and to create a network of connections and contexts, which will<br />
use mathematics to promote prominence for existing scientific<br />
fields. Other Israeli partners are the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv<br />
University and the Weizmann Institute.<br />
The Emek Yezreel Col<strong>le</strong>ge:<br />
Investigating quality of life<br />
Investment: 1.5 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: the Czech Republic Academy of Science,<br />
University of Piraeus, Shimane University (Japan), University<br />
of Lubliana, University of Warsaw and others.<br />
The GEN.DI.STA.CRI. project is one of a variety of social science<br />
programs funded by the EU to promote insight into the link<br />
between social trends and quality of life. This project examines<br />
the decline in quality of life of citizens of 16 countries as a result<br />
of the crisis in welfare policies, and compares the positions of<br />
men and women.<br />
Volcani Institute: Fighting pests<br />
Investment: 1 Million Euro<br />
Other Partners: The Montpellier Institute of Agricultural Research<br />
(France), Koppert Biological Systems (Spain), the University of<br />
Practical Life Sciences (Austria) and others.<br />
The spider mite (Tetranychus) is a pest which harms fruit crops,<br />
vegetab<strong>le</strong>s and decorative plants. The mite may have a natural<br />
enemy, the Neoseiulus Califomicus, but its efficiency and range<br />
are climate-dependent. The Euromite consortium is <strong>le</strong>d by the<br />
Vulcani Institute and includes the Israeli companies Bio-Bee Sde<br />
Eliyahu, the Arava Development co., Kivun and the Yisrael Cohen<br />
Institute for Biological Control. They are working together to<br />
col<strong>le</strong>ct different species of spider mites from different climates,<br />
classify them and nurture more effective species of predators,<br />
especially species adapted to dry climate conditions.<br />
Volcani Institute: Know<strong>le</strong>dge transfer<br />
Investment: 700,000 Euro<br />
Other Partners: Scientia Terrae of Brussels and others.<br />
Earth and water based multicellular microorganisms have a great<br />
deal of influence, both positive and negative, on agriculture and<br />
public health. The TRICHONEMA project advances the transfer<br />
of know<strong>le</strong>dge between academia and industry with experience in<br />
fighting microorganisms using fungi. In many cases, these links can<br />
<strong>le</strong>ad to productive cooperation in the aftermath of the project.
24 / 25<br />
A simp<strong>le</strong> new test<br />
predicts pregnancy complications<br />
This year, Diagnostic Technologies (DTL), based in Yokneam Illit,<br />
proved that with the right idea, even a young start-up can <strong>le</strong>ad an important<br />
consortium in the European R&D Framework..<br />
In November 2005, DTL submitted a grant application to the EU 6th<br />
R&D framework of life sciences and healthcare program. The application<br />
aims to screen early in pregnancy women who are at risk to develop<br />
preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder associated with pregnancy induced<br />
hypertension and damage to the kidney, liver or the brain of the mother. In<br />
addition, the application included a plan to tailor medications for women<br />
identified as being at risk to develop preeclampsia. The company assemb<strong>le</strong>d<br />
a consortium of European partners, which earned the outstanding project<br />
prize honor in lifesciences and healthcare for 2006.<br />
Consortium members include PerkinElmer of Finland, which holds<br />
world distribution rights to the preeclampsia diagnostic kits developed by<br />
DTL; the company’s Portuguese distributor of preeclampsia diagnosis ,<br />
and the European <strong>le</strong>aders in preeclampsia research, who are the company<br />
partners in the clinical trials in Austria, Hungary, England, Italy and<br />
Switzerland. These partners are world <strong>le</strong>aders in the field, including<br />
Professor Kypros Nicolaides of England, a pioneer in first trimester<br />
prenatal diagnostics.<br />
The proposal submitted to the European Framework Project was<br />
scored very high obtaining a score of 28.5 out of 30, and received the<br />
full funding requested - 2.3 million euros. The three-year project has<br />
three main goals:<br />
1. Improving the efficacy of first trimester prediction of the risk for a later<br />
development of preeclampsia based on blood tests and the determination<br />
of placenta protein 13 (PP13), a biomarker developed by DTL to predict<br />
the risk for preeclampsia.<br />
2. Examining the efficacy of longitudinally repeated blood tests of<br />
preeclampsia biomarkers coup<strong>le</strong>d with monitoring the efficacy of antipreeclampsia<br />
drugs and food supp<strong>le</strong>ments currently in use; and<br />
3. Developing new products to advance diagnosis and treatment for<br />
women at high risk for preeclampsia.<br />
Genetic treasure<br />
Behind the award-winning proposal is the basic research conducted<br />
in Israel, which <strong>le</strong>d to the scientific breakthrough by researchers at the<br />
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. In the early 1990s,<br />
Technion scientists sought an efficient way to conduct genetic tests, and<br />
focused their efforts on the placenta, whose characteristics make it the<br />
perfect tissue for conducting genetic studies. They discovered approximately<br />
56 specific proteins and genes related to processes regulating pregnancy<br />
development or pathology. Among the proteins they had identified and<br />
isolated was Placental Protein 13, or PP13, a protein that was discovered<br />
to be associated with the development of preeclampsia. The Technion<br />
researchers discovered that the <strong>le</strong>vel of this protein is abnormal in women<br />
who will go on to develop preeclampsia. In 1994, DTL was founded to<br />
explore commercial applications for this discovery. In the early years,<br />
the company was based in the Technion’s laboratories.<br />
After fine-tuning its technology, DTL <strong>le</strong>ft the Technion in 2001 and<br />
developed a simp<strong>le</strong> method for the determination of the protein in blood<br />
samp<strong>le</strong>s of pregnant women. It quickly became c<strong>le</strong>ar that the test enab<strong>le</strong>d<br />
to predict in the first trimester with a very high degree of certainty woman’s<br />
risk of developing preeclampsia in the third trimester. DTL’s registered<br />
patents are on the protein and genetic sequence of PP13, on monoclonal<br />
antibodies to detect its <strong>le</strong>vel and on kits to screen women at risk for<br />
preeclampsia. The patents covered a number of parameters which made<br />
it especially strong in the field of modern biotechnology, protecting the<br />
intel<strong>le</strong>ctual properties that are the cornerstone of DTL’s activities.<br />
One in five pregnancies is at risk<br />
There is a considerab<strong>le</strong> potential market: Infertility affects approximately<br />
20% of coup<strong>le</strong>s in the western world, and about 20% of pregnancies are<br />
at risk. Among the worst complications is preeclampsia, a pregnancy<br />
disorder that is associated with sudden hypertension, a damage to the<br />
kidney, the liver and the vascular system, which can exuberate to brain<br />
convulsion and stroke. When women develop the severe disorder delivery<br />
is initiated, and the newborn are often delivered prematurely and suffer<br />
from motor and cognitive disorders and blindness. Women who suffered<br />
from preeclampsia are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular ailments<br />
later in life. Preeclampsia affects 5-7% of all pregnant women and is<br />
responsib<strong>le</strong> for 18% of maternal deaths during pregnancy, and about<br />
one third of pre-term deliveries. The treatment of women and newborns<br />
suffering from complications of preeclampsia as estimated by the US<br />
Department of Human Health is approximately $30 billion annually.<br />
“Even though the World Health Organization has determined that<br />
preeclampsia is the second most common cause of death among<br />
pregnant women, to this day, no simp<strong>le</strong> test has been found to predict<br />
its development.”<br />
DTL’s business model is based on providing solutions to the growing<br />
pre-natal diagnostics industry. A growing proportion of women in the<br />
western world undergo numerous prenatal tests to ensure the success of<br />
the pregnancy. The company goal is to provide means and tools that will<br />
enab<strong>le</strong> every pregnant woman to undergo a simp<strong>le</strong>, quick and inexpensive<br />
screening test during the earliest stages of her pregnancy to reveal her <strong>le</strong>vel<br />
of risk for developing preeclampsia. If a woman is defined as belonging<br />
to the high-risk group, the next goal is to create a system of surveillance<br />
that will follow the progress of her pregnancy, via repeated tests and<br />
examine the efficacy of preventive treatment. The PP13 test is positioned<br />
to assess the development of the illness and its stages and to indicate if<br />
a treatment has been effective in preventing preeclampsia.<br />
At present, the company’s main shareholder is the Haifa-based Teuza<br />
Venture Capital Fund and the company chairman, Giora Meyuhas. Other<br />
investors include the Technion, Venture funds from the US and from<br />
England, Mr. Ken Abramowitz, the founder of NGN Capital - the largest<br />
US healthcare VC and private investors. DTL has raised over $4 million<br />
to date, of which $800,000 were grants provided by the Chief Scientist
Diagnostic Technologies of Yokneam is the only company in the world<br />
capab<strong>le</strong> of predicting future cases of preeclampsia (toxemia in pregnancy)<br />
office of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment.<br />
The PerkinElmer deal<br />
In December 2005 DTL signed an exclusivity agreement with<br />
PerkinElmer for the global distribution of tests based on PP13 for<br />
identifying women at high risk of developing preeclampsia. PerkinElmer’s<br />
announcement of the signing of the agreement noted that unlike other<br />
biomarkers for the development of preeclampsia, detectab<strong>le</strong> only a few<br />
weeks before the appearance of clinical symptoms, whereas PP13 indicates<br />
a woman’s risk right from the beginning of the pregnancy.<br />
“Clinical trials to date demonstrate that measuring PP13 in the mother’s<br />
blood in the first trimester of pregnancy predicts risk with a 90-percent<br />
accuracy rate,” stated the announcement.<br />
DTL is the first company in the world that has developed a test for<br />
predicting the development of preeclampsia from the early stages of<br />
pregnancy. The test kit has been approved for use in Europe and approval<br />
in other countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration<br />
(FDA), is anticipated soon. After signing the distribution agreement with<br />
PerkinElmer, which included an advance of $3 million, DTL moved into<br />
a newly equipped building in Yokneam, designed and operated according<br />
to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) regulations for manufacturing<br />
of medical products.<br />
DTL has established the European "Pregenesys" consortium whose<br />
aim is to advance the identification of early biomarkers to determine the<br />
risk for preeclampsia required to develop preventive treatment against<br />
preeclampsia. Prof. Nicolaides, head of the Fetal Medicine Foundation<br />
and a Pregenesys partner, illustrated the importance of the follow-up tests<br />
when he said that there is no proven method for preventing preeclampsia<br />
at present. “But there is evidence that taking low [daily] doses of aspirin<br />
from the first trimester can reduce its incidence,” said Nicolaides.<br />
DTL’s vision is to be the <strong>le</strong>ader of biomarkers for preeclampsia and<br />
women’s health disorders. The company is developing methods to<br />
increase the accuracy of the PP13 test. One method being examined is<br />
the combination of the PP13 blood test and the blood flow in the mother’s<br />
arteries to the placenta, which is measured via a Dopp<strong>le</strong>r ultrasound and<br />
can detect changes in blood flow to the placenta.<br />
Another project currently under way at DTL is the development of a kit<br />
for detecting papiloma virus associated with cervical cancer. The company<br />
is about to sign up with Grant Life Sciences of Los Ange<strong>le</strong>s an agreement<br />
to develop a new product for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
26 / 27<br />
Strategies for Winning Proposals<br />
Take into account a full range of<br />
factors - from EU priorities to your<br />
own long-term goals - when you<br />
plan to present a project to the<br />
Seventh European Framework<br />
Programme / Dror Yeger<br />
The Seventh European Union R&D Programme will soon be<br />
launched, and Israel is prominent among the participating nations.<br />
Israeli companies provide added value in both technological<br />
innovation and entrepreneurship. In encouraging R&D, the<br />
European Framework Programme offers great opportunities for<br />
Israeli industry, including help in entering European markets,<br />
creating strategic partnerships with <strong>le</strong>ading players, benefiting<br />
from grants and retaining full rights to intel<strong>le</strong>ctual property.<br />
The Seventh Programme will be conducted over the course of<br />
seven years, and its budget will reach over 50 billion Euros. Funding<br />
for small to medium companies has been increased by 75%. The<br />
Seventh Programme is continuing the Sixth Programme's efforts<br />
to simplify processes and allow more f<strong>le</strong>xibility, especially in the<br />
expansion of the authority of project coordinators.<br />
Your first consideration is whether to aspire to be a coordinator,<br />
or participate as a partner. Although partners need not take on<br />
certain responsibilities and administrative task, coordinators have<br />
an inherent advantage. They can develop and conduct projects<br />
adapted to their own organization's development plan. They direct<br />
the planning and procgress, have an impact on partner se<strong>le</strong>ction,<br />
and oversee the budget.<br />
This decision is significant over the long term. It is easier to join<br />
a project if you can provide "evidence of European Union club<br />
activities." If you have been a coordinator, you will have access<br />
to more information and offers to join projects than partners.<br />
Strategy for project presentation<br />
A company with a strong and unique technology has two<br />
options in presenting a project proposal. The first is the top-down<br />
approach: from this perspective, projects are defined by their<br />
technological value and re<strong>le</strong>vance to the technological objectives<br />
of the EU's programme. The downside is that this approach is <strong>le</strong>ss<br />
precise, and it may be difficult to link the project to EU priorities<br />
(transportation, education, health, etc.). For examp<strong>le</strong>, a company<br />
developing advanced wi-fi will have a difficult time selling the<br />
project, since it has no direct re<strong>le</strong>vance to urgent EU issues. The<br />
project may not be conducive to building a consortium, since the<br />
focus is strongly linked with the initiator's As a result, the partners<br />
gain <strong>le</strong>ss added value, which makes the enterprise <strong>le</strong>ss viab<strong>le</strong>.<br />
The solution to define your project's agenda more broadly.<br />
The wi-fi developer should develop a proposal to plan an entire<br />
system to provide wi-fi to all of Europe's major cities. This would<br />
include hardware, software and integration e<strong>le</strong>ments. This kind of<br />
project offers excel<strong>le</strong>nt <strong>le</strong>verage for the coordinator, since it can<br />
recruit potential clients and strategic partners, and <strong>le</strong>ad to future<br />
collaborations through a 'pull', rather than 'push' method.<br />
The second option is a bottom-up approach. First you define<br />
the need, and then tailor-fit your solution via technological<br />
development. This makes it easier to market the project, since its<br />
value is relative to the cost of the prob<strong>le</strong>m. The consortium will<br />
also have a more attractive line-up of partners, because it will<br />
include a broader range of players.<br />
For examp<strong>le</strong>, for a Motorola Israel project, which specializes in<br />
communication systems, traffic was defined as a major European<br />
prob<strong>le</strong>m. An offer was made to develop a traffic monitoring<br />
system, consisting of smart communication boxes instal<strong>le</strong>d in cars<br />
alongside a central data processing system. The partners were a<br />
governmental traffic control company, a large auto manufacturer,<br />
two universities, a large te<strong>le</strong>phone company and others.<br />
In practice, the "value" of a project can be perceived in several<br />
ways: lowering congestion would reduce wear and tear on roads,<br />
and reduce the number of lost work hours, decrease traffic accidents,<br />
reduce the volume of vehicular pollution (a priority of the Kyoto<br />
Accords), and improve European competitiveness with other<br />
world powers.<br />
Choose your partners carefully<br />
Upon reaching the partner se<strong>le</strong>ction phase, one must consider<br />
both the consortium's structure and the partners' core capabilities<br />
on the other. Partners are naturally assessed by qualities such<br />
as technological capabilities, core capabilities and potential for<br />
synergy in sharing and transferring know<strong>le</strong>dge. Thought must<br />
also be given to funding allocations (among countries, partners,<br />
universities and industry), and the type of partners that will be<br />
members of the consortium.<br />
To achieve a high rating in the clause on "quality and re<strong>le</strong>vant<br />
experience of the individual participants" clause, it is helpful to<br />
include universities, small and medium-size entities and players<br />
from new EU nations, such as Poland and Malta. It is important<br />
to be attuned to the EU pulse, understanding the latest trends in<br />
Brussels is imperative to building a winning consortium.<br />
Of course, the peop<strong>le</strong> involved make all the difference. Consider<br />
the ro<strong>le</strong> of key players in the organizations and their commitment<br />
to the project's success. Too many projects have fai<strong>le</strong>d because not<br />
enough consideration was given to the human e<strong>le</strong>ment. Personal<br />
relationships and networking is vital, whether you take on the<br />
ro<strong>le</strong> of a partner or a coordinator.<br />
Other factors include planning prob<strong>le</strong>ms, a lack of compatibility<br />
between budgets and outcomes, <strong>le</strong>ms with initiating and planning<br />
the proposal, lack of compatibility between budget and results, a<br />
strained, poor use of funds, and of course, overlap with projects<br />
approved in the past.
Even after receiving a project,<br />
there are still many factors<br />
that can make-it-or-breakit:<br />
management, intel<strong>le</strong>ctual<br />
property issues, budget control,<br />
European bureaucracy, departure<br />
or dismissal of partners and<br />
failure to achieve key mi<strong>le</strong>stones.<br />
It is also important to cultivate<br />
the ability to overcome cultural<br />
differences among group<br />
members.<br />
In recent years, there has<br />
been a significant increase<br />
in the number of specialized<br />
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of<br />
specialized consulting and management firms involved in all phases of<br />
managing international R&D projects<br />
consulting and management firms involved in all phases of<br />
managing international R&D projects. Beyond their diverse skills<br />
in areas from proposal writing strategies to in-depth networking,<br />
they take responsibility for thoughtful and professional management<br />
of all phases of the project, providing all partners (including the<br />
coordinator) with the peace of mind needed to focus their energies<br />
on core R&D activities.<br />
A comparative study proves that projects conducted by the<br />
Sixth Programme (done with the help of management firms)<br />
achieved better results and higher <strong>le</strong>vels of effectiveness than<br />
those conducted in the Fifth Programme (without the help of<br />
Innovation: the best response to long-term chal<strong>le</strong>nge<br />
In The Ambidextrous Organization, Dr. Tushman of Harvard University notes that due to the dynamic nature<br />
of today's market and the rapid pace of change, executives must plan for the short, medium and long ranges.<br />
Beyond the day-to-day administration of the organization, they must anticipate trends and assess future<br />
opportunities. How can this be achieved whi<strong>le</strong> coping with competing priorities and limited resources?<br />
In a survey of executives conducted by IBM (“Expanding the Innovation Horizon Global CEO Study<br />
2006”), 765 managers from firms throughout the world were interviewed on the topic of innovation. Of the<br />
respondents, 66% estimated that their business environments would undergo radical changes in the next<br />
two years, and that innovation would be essential to survival.<br />
Among the <strong>le</strong>ading insights expressed by the executives:<br />
n The responsibility for innovation must be <strong>le</strong>d at the <strong>le</strong>vel of the chief executive; Innovation is best created<br />
through cooperation with other companies (business partners, clients and others)<br />
n Collaborations with other companies are more efficient then self-produced innovation<br />
n Innovation can be achieved through the application of new business models, and not only by developing<br />
new products<br />
n New business models require cooperation with outside companies<br />
n The two greatest stumbling blocks to innovation are an unsupportive business culture and limited<br />
funding<br />
The Seventh R&D Programme provides an effective response to these issues through its structured system<br />
of practical research collaborations, generous budget allocations, and deference to intel<strong>le</strong>ctual property<br />
rights of participants.<br />
management firms.) This <strong>le</strong>d to the decision that for the Seventh<br />
Programme, the EU will underwrite 100% of all management<br />
costs, with no ceiling. This approach has been so well inculcated in<br />
Europe that conglomerates such as Airbus employ external project<br />
management departments to hand<strong>le</strong> aspects of management. We<br />
predict this trend will have an impact on Israel during the course<br />
of the Seventh Programme.<br />
Dror Yegar directs strategy for ARTTIC Israel, of ARTTIC<br />
International, which specializes in managing and building international<br />
R&D projects, including projects in the framework of the EU's R&D<br />
program. Contact: Yeger@Arttic.com
≤∏ Ø ≤π<br />
Ten recommendations for writing a winning proposal<br />
Important tips for presenting your project to the European Framework<br />
Programme for R&D<br />
The European Union’s Framework<br />
Programme for Research and<br />
Technological Development defines its<br />
goals by topics and broader research<br />
aims. The program is a competitive<br />
platform in which every proposal is<br />
examined against other proposals and the<br />
determining factor is the final total points<br />
awarded. Below are ten recommendations<br />
for building an attractive proposal, for<br />
proposal writers and everyone involved<br />
in advancing the project.<br />
1You must understand the program<br />
The Framework Programme’s goals<br />
are to strengthen Europe’s status in a<br />
know<strong>le</strong>dge-based society, increase<br />
the competitiveness of the European<br />
economy and bolster its technological<br />
foundation. For this purpose, Israel is part<br />
of Europe. It is important to be aware of<br />
the main programmatic <strong>document</strong>s and<br />
the strategic policy <strong>document</strong>s re<strong>le</strong>vant<br />
to your research proposal.<br />
2Choose the most suitab<strong>le</strong> topic<br />
A proposal submitted to the EU must<br />
match the requirements of the work<br />
plan of the public call from the re<strong>le</strong>vant<br />
program. You must identify how your<br />
project matches and contributes to the<br />
technological, scientific, policy and allover<br />
social goal as they are worded in<br />
the work plan. If your project meets<br />
more than one goal, make sure that<br />
the proposal relates first to the most<br />
important goal. To keep up to date with<br />
these goals, it is important to keep in<br />
touch with ISERD (the Israel Europe<br />
Research and Development Directorate)<br />
and participate in events that ISERD<br />
and the EU Commission organize in<br />
your field. It is advisab<strong>le</strong> to consult and<br />
meet the re<strong>le</strong>vant research officers at the<br />
EU Commission in Brussels whenever<br />
possib<strong>le</strong>.<br />
3Find the right partners<br />
The consortium structure proposed<br />
by the Framework Programme is very<br />
important and you must ensure (and<br />
emphasize in the proposal) that each of<br />
the consortium’s members represents a<br />
unique link in the project’s “value chain.”<br />
Each partner has a different task, and<br />
you must be confident (and indicate in<br />
the proposal) that the partners are suited<br />
and committed to the task assigned to<br />
them. The right partners are ones that<br />
comp<strong>le</strong>ment one another well.<br />
Stress 4 the excel<strong>le</strong>nce of the<br />
proposal<br />
Emphasize and explain why your<br />
proposal is of the highest standard and<br />
advances the state-of-the-art. Highlight<br />
your project's contribution to improving<br />
Europe’s competitive ability and to<br />
solving social prob<strong>le</strong>ms.<br />
5Remember that the proposal is a<br />
marketing <strong>document</strong><br />
Your proposal must compete with other<br />
proposals that have similar features.<br />
Remember, your <strong>document</strong> must sell<br />
your idea—especially the abstract. The<br />
examiner receives many proposals.<br />
The abstract will be read first and will<br />
determine the first impression, and thus<br />
the attitude to the other components.<br />
6Meet the criteria<br />
The EU Commission defines three<br />
basic criteria:<br />
(a) Scientific and technological<br />
excel<strong>le</strong>nce: Repeat and emphasize how<br />
the project advances the program’s goals<br />
in new and extraordinary ways.<br />
(b) Degree of influence: Define<br />
explicitly how your proposal promotes<br />
the program’s goals. Write in detail,<br />
to demonstrate your proficiency in the<br />
subject and in the program’s goals.<br />
(c) The quality of the consortium<br />
and the project’s management: Stress<br />
the unique contribution of each of the<br />
partners and demonstrate that the who<strong>le</strong><br />
is greater than the sum of its parts. The<br />
proposal must include a c<strong>le</strong>ar and detai<strong>le</strong>d<br />
operating plan for the execution of the<br />
project and the realization of its goals.<br />
Bear mind of course, that additional<br />
criteria and different focal points may<br />
come into play in varying programs. .<br />
7Read the guidelines carefully<br />
Proposals are evaluated n the basis of a<br />
questionnaire in which examiners verify<br />
that the proposal meets the requirements<br />
of each of the guidelines, and they must<br />
explain the rating they give each criterion.<br />
The proposal must therefore meticulously<br />
follow and relate to all the requirements<br />
in the guidelines.<br />
Show 8 that the proposal can be<br />
imp<strong>le</strong>mented<br />
The work plan must ref<strong>le</strong>ct the ability<br />
to imp<strong>le</strong>ment the proposed project, with<br />
a reasonab<strong>le</strong> budget and a well-planned<br />
and balanced timetab<strong>le</strong> that includes<br />
c<strong>le</strong>ar mi<strong>le</strong>stones and a detai<strong>le</strong>d, but<br />
reasonab<strong>le</strong>, analysis of the tasks. One<br />
must specify the risks (technical and<br />
organizational).<br />
9Pay attention to the fine details<br />
The final polish indicates a quality<br />
proposal. You must therefore review<br />
the proposal a number of times before<br />
submitting it, to ensure that it is worded<br />
c<strong>le</strong>arly and that the content is logically<br />
organizing. Give careful attention to<br />
consistency and comp<strong>le</strong>teness of the<br />
details.<br />
Take 10advantage<br />
of assistance<br />
Every bit of advice is valuab<strong>le</strong>.<br />
Consult with ISERD and with other<br />
experienced organizations to formulate<br />
and draft your proposal. Ask col<strong>le</strong>agues,<br />
project partners and, of course ISERD<br />
personnel, to review your proposal prior<br />
to submission.
The fast lane between Israel and Europe<br />
"Europe is Israel’s closest and<br />
most natural market,” says ISERD<br />
Director General Marcel Shaton<br />
"The European Framework Programme was designed to create<br />
scientific and industrial cooperation and help Europe increase its<br />
capacity to compete,” says Marcel Shaton, director general of<br />
ISERD (Israel Europe Research and Development Directorate).<br />
“Our participation in the program enab<strong>le</strong>s us to benefit from the<br />
achievement of these goals.”<br />
ISERD was established in 1996 to serve as the liaison between<br />
Israel and the European Framework Programme for Research and<br />
Technological Development. Its establishment was supported by<br />
Israeli government ministries: the Ministry of Industry, Trade and<br />
Labor, the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sports and the Planning<br />
and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education.<br />
ISERD advances four fronts simultaneously:<br />
n promoting Israel’s interests at the European Commission and<br />
assuring that financing and projects are appropriate for Israeli<br />
organizations<br />
n conducting negotiations with the European Union regarding the<br />
terms of Israel’s participation<br />
n representing the European Framework to Israeli government<br />
offices<br />
n “marketing” the Framework Programme to research entities in<br />
eligib<strong>le</strong> Israeli research entities<br />
What is ISERD’s ro<strong>le</strong>?<br />
“Nine years ago, ISERD began its operations <strong>le</strong>d by: the<br />
chief scientist at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, who<br />
serves as chairman; the chief scientist at the Ministry of Science,<br />
Culture and Sports, and a representative of the Planning and<br />
Budgeting Committee, who serve as deputy chair. There are also<br />
representatives of the Finance and Foreign Ministries. ISERD<br />
formulates Israel’s position on all aspects of the Framework<br />
Programme and presentation to the EU authorities, ensuring the<br />
participation of Israeli entities in the program and reporting to the<br />
Israeli government on the imp<strong>le</strong>mentation of ISERD’s goals.<br />
“ISERD represents Israel in the Framework Programme’s<br />
management committees at the European Commission, is<br />
responsib<strong>le</strong> for the promotion of Israeli interests to the Framework<br />
Programme’s key organizations, such as research institutions<br />
and universities. We function as the national contact point for<br />
the 20 sub-programs in the Seventh Framework Programme and<br />
participate in networking and training projects. Our ro<strong>le</strong> includes<br />
increasing the awareness and recognition of the program in Israel<br />
among candidate organizations, university research authorities,<br />
the professional examiners at the chief scientist’s office at the<br />
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry. We are also a<br />
key contact for Israel’s consulting companies.”<br />
How can you quantify the benefit derived from Israel’s<br />
participation in the Framework Programme?<br />
“A review of the Sixth Programme, conducted by ISERD,<br />
revea<strong>le</strong>d that the Israeli partners in this program participated<br />
in projects valued at over 3.5 billion euros, even though they<br />
received only about 200 million euros [in research grants]. We<br />
figure that the total sum ref<strong>le</strong>cts the value of<br />
the know<strong>le</strong>dge Israel gained from the Sixth<br />
Programme, along with other e<strong>le</strong>ments, such as<br />
contacts and reputation.<br />
“Compugen, for examp<strong>le</strong>, partnered with a<br />
consortium that received a budget of 4 million<br />
euros from the EU. Even though only a quarter<br />
of that sum reached Compugen directly, over 80<br />
percent of the consortium’s activity was designed<br />
to enrich Compugen’s know<strong>le</strong>dge inventory,<br />
which benefited from the know<strong>le</strong>dge gained<br />
from the project. This means that the value of<br />
the know<strong>le</strong>dge the company received equals<br />
the value of the entire project. Without the EU,<br />
Compugen would have had to raise the total<br />
investment required for the project.<br />
“When I visited Peptor, I heard about their<br />
participation in a small consortium. Peptor<br />
received just a few tens of thousands of euros.<br />
There are new developments in themes, such as nanotechnology. There are<br />
larger budgets for safety in transportation and a greater emphasis on alternative<br />
energy. There will also be structural and organizational changes
30 / 31<br />
However, under the auspices of the consortium, clinical testing<br />
was conducted on a mo<strong>le</strong>cu<strong>le</strong>, thanks to a financing grant of 1.8<br />
million euros. This means that Peptor saved 1.8 million euros<br />
on tests that the company would have conducted anyway. These<br />
examp<strong>le</strong>s demonstrate how total project budgets can be used to<br />
measure the true value of the benefit Israeli organizations derived<br />
from their participation.”<br />
How did the Framework Programme develop?<br />
“Over the years, the EU’s attitude toward the R&D program<br />
changed. The original intention was to encourage research that<br />
supported policies. It gradually developed into a program that<br />
initiates research designed to respond to social prob<strong>le</strong>ms within<br />
the EU. This is the source of the emphasis on applied research.<br />
“At the same time, the program expanded: the budget for the<br />
Fourth Programme was doub<strong>le</strong> that for the Third Programme,<br />
and the budgets kept growing: from 13.5 billion euros for the<br />
Fifth Programme to 17.8 billion for the Sixth Programme, and<br />
an estimated total of 50 billion euros for the Seventh Programme.<br />
The Seventh Programme, unlike its predecessors, will run for<br />
seven years to bring it in line with the EU’s budget, which is<br />
drafted every seven years. The program’s budget will be about<br />
7 billion euros a year, although after 2010 there will be larger<br />
annual budgets.”<br />
What is new and different about the Seventh Programme?<br />
“There are new developments in themes, such as the increased<br />
budget for nanotechnology – which is up to 3.5 billion. There<br />
are larger budgets for safety in transportation and a greater<br />
emphasis on alternative energy. But there will also be structural<br />
and organizational changes. The Seventh Programme will establish<br />
a fund to finance research, to be cal<strong>le</strong>d the European Research<br />
Council (ERC). Its ro<strong>le</strong> will be similar to the American National<br />
Science Foundation. Individual researchers will be ab<strong>le</strong> to submit<br />
applications for funding. The ERC’s budget for 2007 will be 500<br />
million euros, designated for young researchers who comp<strong>le</strong>ted<br />
their doctorates within the past ten years.<br />
“Reimbursement of costs to universities will be substantially<br />
higher, relative to the Sixth Programme. Rebates to small and<br />
medium enterprises will also be increased, to preserve the program’s<br />
attraction for small companies in the EU. The EU Commission’s<br />
projects are becoming suitab<strong>le</strong> mainly for large companies.”<br />
What does this mean for Israel?<br />
“In the short term, there will be greater competition, since<br />
larger budgets will be re<strong>le</strong>ased only in another three years. Israeli<br />
companies and research organizations will have to study the calls<br />
for proposals more closely to find suitab<strong>le</strong> partners. In the Seventh<br />
Programme, Israeli organizations will be ab<strong>le</strong> to obtain financing<br />
for Homeland Security projects. This will be the first time Israeli<br />
participants will be ab<strong>le</strong> to join a pan-European program in the<br />
field of security.<br />
“One must remember that Israel is in the Framework Programme<br />
as an associate partner and enjoys all the rights of member<br />
countries. This is the only arena in which there is full integration<br />
between Israel and the European community. When a young<br />
Israeli engineer works with a German engineer, he or she gains<br />
insight into new thought processes and business methods and<br />
gains familiarity with the European industrial culture. This is an<br />
opportunity for Israelis to have close encounters with the EU.<br />
From the perspective of the Framework Programme, Israel is part<br />
of the European continent.”<br />
How much does the program cost?<br />
“In the Fourth Programme, Israel paid membership fees of 100<br />
million euros, and in return received grants totaling 50 million<br />
euros. In the Fifth Programme, Israel paid 154 million euros and<br />
received 167 million euros in grants. In the Sixth Programme we<br />
paid 191 million euros, and will receive a total of 203 million in<br />
grants. As for the Seventh Programme, we could receive up to 40<br />
percent more in grants. Negotiations are still under way between<br />
Israel and the EU.”<br />
What is the program’s impact on Israel?<br />
“It is evident that the Sixth Programme became the second<br />
largest financer of academic research in Israel, after the Israel<br />
Science Foundation. In the Fifth Programme there were some<br />
3,300 partnerships in proposals for projects and this number<br />
grew to over 4,000 in the Sixth Programme. A total of 783 Israeli<br />
proposals were accepted: university proposals numbered 429, there<br />
were 209 from industry and another 145 from other organizations,<br />
including government ministries. That is a success rate of close<br />
to 20 percent.”<br />
What are the main hurd<strong>le</strong>s facing Israel?<br />
“The competition in the Seventh Programme will be much stiffer,<br />
so greater effort must be invested in the quality of the projects.<br />
There will be large projects managed by big companies and research<br />
institutions. This requires a greater presence in Europe and a change<br />
in the nature of the preparations by Israeli organizations. They will<br />
have to promote their candidacy with marketing and sa<strong>le</strong>s skills:<br />
<strong>le</strong>arn the market well, and know the competition, the partners<br />
and the customers. The improved success<br />
rate for university proposals in the Sixth<br />
Programme, for examp<strong>le</strong>, was the result of<br />
better organization and a greater investment<br />
of effort in proposal preparation.<br />
“This past year, ISERD initiated a pilot<br />
support fund for small enterprises, to assist<br />
them in integrating into the Framework<br />
Programme. The fund awarded grants of<br />
up to NIS 10,000 so that small companies<br />
could send representatives to meetings,<br />
briefings or for consulting services, in<br />
exchange for expense receipts totaling NIS<br />
20,000. ISERD plans to expand and extend<br />
the pilot project with the commencement<br />
of the Seventh Programme.”<br />
What is the relative impact of the<br />
Framework Programme in the context of<br />
the full range of economic and scientific<br />
contacts between Israel and Europe?<br />
“The Framework Programme is a useful<br />
means for gaining entry to the European<br />
integration process, along with the<br />
EUREKA program and various binational<br />
programs. The Framework Programme is a<br />
European highway for which you are not<br />
only given a car, but also gas and travel<br />
expenses so that you can get to Europe and<br />
spend time there. It is worth noting that<br />
Europe is Israel’s closest and most natural<br />
market. One can go to Europe and return<br />
on the same day. We are accompanying<br />
the European integration process, and<br />
essentially, we are an inseparab<strong>le</strong> part of<br />
this process.”
ISERD Staff<br />
The Israeli Management Team for the European Framework Programme for Reseach and Development<br />
Information & Communications Technologies (ICT); Research Infrastructure<br />
Dorit Geifman<br />
Director<br />
dorit@iserd.org.il<br />
Dr. Eva Rockman<br />
Director<br />
eva@iserd.org.il<br />
Lior Ben Artzi<br />
Project Officer<br />
lior@iserd.org.il<br />
Smadar Hirsh<br />
Assistant to the Director<br />
Smadar@iserd.org.il<br />
Boaz Levi,<br />
Coordinator<br />
boaz@iserd.org.il<br />
Health; Food, Agriculture & Biotechnology; Environment; ERC<br />
Nanotechnologies; Materials and New<br />
Production Processes; Transport (incl.<br />
Aeronautics); Energy; Space; Security<br />
Dr. Neomy Soffer<br />
Director<br />
neomy@iserd.org.il<br />
Management<br />
Marcel Shaton<br />
General Managermarcel@<br />
iserd.org.il<br />
Orly Goldstein<br />
Coordinator<br />
orly@iserd.org.il<br />
Vered Arieli<br />
PR Officer<br />
vered@iserd.org.il<br />
Adva Schwartz-Ossad<br />
Project Officer<br />
Adva@iserd.org.il<br />
Yair Forman<br />
Coordinator<br />
yair@iserd.org.il<br />
Tony Levi<br />
Information and Web Specialist<br />
tony@iserd.org.il<br />
Marie Curie Fellowships; Social<br />
Sciences & the Humanities;<br />
Science in Society<br />
Einat Tamir<br />
Advisor<br />
einat@iserd.org.ilֿ<br />
Nitza Porat<br />
Secretariat<br />
nitsa@iserd.org.il<br />
ISERD conducts weekly guidance sessions for the Seventh Framework Programme<br />
Contact us to register for a session: 03-511-8122<br />
ISERD, Beit HaTaasiya, 29 Mered Street, Tel Aviv<br />
w w w . i s e r d . o r g . i l<br />
Gabriel Levy<br />
System Administrator<br />
gabriel<strong>le</strong>vi@iserd.org.il