Overview
Dear Friends,
The Israeli biotechnology industry is a world pioneer in research and
development and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor is an eager and
encouraging partner of the ever-expanding number of Israeli companies
involved in ground-breaking biotechnological activities.
The statistics are amazing; Israel biotechnology sales have increased from
USD $15 million in 1988 to USD $2 billion last year. The number of Israeli
biotechnology companies has grown from just four companies in 1980 to
over 200 in 2003 and includes some of the world's leading firms. Though
Israel is just a tiny country, it represents 2.5% of world biotech sales, has
many manufacturing plants devoted to manufacturing biopharmaceutical
products.
The main keys to the success and potential of the Israeli biotechnology
industry are a strong academic research base and enthusiastic governmental
support. Thirty-five percent of Israel's civilian research activities are devoted
to life sciences and the country has at least ten research institutes that are
heavily invest significant resourcesed in R&D in biotech and related fields.
Israeli researchers are involved in cutting-edge biotech research in fields
such as stem cells, genetic engineering and drug development.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, along with the Office of the Chief
Scientist supports, encourages and invests in young companies through
technological incubators and by providing pre-seed funding at the early
research stage through a variety of programs.
With such a strong base, I believe that the Israeli biotechnology industry will
continue to go from strength to strength, making it an ideal investment
opportunity for the long-term. The emphasis in our industry on biotherapeutics
especially in the fields of neurology disorders, cancer
prevention and cure, and autoimmune system disorders is in line with the
fastest growing markets in the world.
I invite you to become our partner in this exciting industry and together we
can reach new successes that will benefit both Israel and the world.
Sincerely,
Ehud Olmert
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