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RAD BioMed: A Goodwill Ambassador of the
Israeli Incubation & Seed Funding Models in Europe
The Biomedical incubator located
in Tel Aviv's “Silicon Valley”, assists
Israeli start-up companies on their
road to making a difference in
Europe / Ynon Avishar
Transforming scientific research into a viable commercial application
is the goal of the Israeli Biomedical incubator RAD BioMed. The
company is considered unique in Israel and Europe for its experience
in leading research projects and developing new technologies. It is
focused in the life-sciences and covers the spectrum from academia
and research labs to industrial implementation through to profitable
products addressing unmet clinical needs.
EU early-stage biotech efforts are inspired by RAD BioMed's
extensive experience and by Israel's unique system for encouraging
early-stage start-ups via funding by the Office of the Chief Scientist
of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (OCS). Dr. Idan Tamir - RAD
BioMed's president and CEO , and Dr. Binah Baum - director of
business development, note that RAD BioMed has become a goodwill
ambassador of the Israeli incubation model, assisting European start-up
endeavors and playing an active role in European-Israeli collaboration
frameworks, representing Israeli advantages in transforming basic
research into thriving biomedical companies.
The RAD BioMed incubator was established in 1992 by Zohar and
Yehuda Zisapel and in collaboration with the OCS. It was a pioneering
effort of the RAD Data Communications Group.
RAD BioMed is, first and foremost, an incubator that nurtures
enterprises in the field of life sciences:
n Biotechnology
n Medical devices
n Diagnostics
n Drug delivery and targeting
n Genomics & Proteomics.
RAD BioMed provides its start-up enterprises with a physical
infrastructure (laboratories and office space and support) in the
high-tech compound on HaBarzel St. in Ramat Hachayal, Tel-Aviv.
All additional funding, beyond that of the OCS, is provided by the
incubator's owners. RAD BioMed provides business development
and legal services, as well as marketing and global exposure at
international conventions to promote strategic alliances. It also helps
raise capital for select incubator graduates.
Today, the RAD BioMed incubator manages eight companies:
ArioMedica is developing a device for opening occluded peripheral
arteries. ImmunArray develops arrays and software for diagnosing
cancer and autoimmune diseases via a simple blood test. SteadyMed is
developing a single-use system for delivering drugs currently given by
injection, and focuses on pain management. Recogene advances AIDS
treatment using a novel gene therapy approach. R&A Biotechnology is
developing a kit for the diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder via
a simple blood test. Proterec
is developing unique enzymes
which enable inexpensive
conversion of vegetable
and other oils to bio-diesel.
Maimonidex RA is developing
Dr. Bina Baum
Dr. Idan Tamir
an antibody for the treatment
of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Situgen is developing a disposable device
for efficient collection of umbilical cord blood - an important source
for stem cells.
Over the past two years RAD BioMed has extensively represented
Israel's incubation model in Europe – recently, its delegates were
invited to attend the BioValley convention in Basel, Switzerland in
June 2006, which focused on new funding approaches for biotech
start-ups. They also attended the CEBR meeting in Berlin last August,
which discussed new biotech incubation and seed funding approaches.
The Israeli incubation method and the OCS support for start-ups,
continue to draw interest and enthusiasm among European investors
and bio-incubator specialists.
RAD BioMed was recently invited to advance the development of
European biotech consortia within the FP7 program. In the context
of FP6, RAD BioMed has been a synergistic partner and a hosting
incubator for projects of new member states, and plans to play a
similar role in FP7.
RAD BioMed's experts collaborated with their European colleagues
on international “seed” investments in bio-medical start-ups, which is
especially valuable to new EU member states that exhibit advanced
academic research but lack incubators or the capacity to develop
start-up enterprises.
RAD BioMed's assistance focuses on ways to progress beyond the
first phase of the enterprise, securing funding for continued R&D,
ensuring thorough follow-up for the development of the enterprise,
and transforming theoretical research into marketable products.
In order to further the success of collaborations and interactions
with European enterprises, the EU founded multinational European
models such as European biotechnology incubator consortium NATIBS
and the Council for European BioRegions (CEBR). These consortia
promote international collaboration in biotechnological incubators.
(For more information, see www.natibs.net or www.cebr.net). RAD
BioMed incubator, an active participant in NATIBS, was chosen as
a full member of CEBR and as the representative of the Israeli bioregion
within this council.
Israel can greatly benefit from Rad Biomed's European activity:
Israeli startup companies are exposed in an institutional, orderly and
non-episodic fashion to further development within the framework of
European incubators, to the European venture capital community, to
EC funding and to the European industry and market.
“The advantages of these unique capabilities,” according to Drs.
Tamir and Baum, “make our European activities a win-win proposition:
everyone benefits from excellent value for their money by participating
in joint ventures.”