06/04/05

Hadasit Medical Research Services, the technology transfer subsidiary of Hadasit Medical Organization, today announced the formation of an Advisory Board that will assist in identifying new markets in North America for its diagnostic and treatment technologies. 

The Advisory Board includes top representatives of the U.S. life science business community:

·        G. Steven Burrill , Chief Executive Officer, Burrill & Company

·        Dr. Howard Fillit, Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Aging

·        Jonathan Fleming, Managing General Partner, Oxford Bioscience Partners

·        Tamar Howson, Senior Vice President, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

·        Cheryl V. Reicin, Partner, Torys LLP

·        Jonathan Silverstein, General Partner, OrbiMed

“Commercializing our cutting edge technologies will enable Hadasit to further its pioneering research and development programs,” said Dr. Rafi Hofstein, Chief Executive Officer of Hadasit.  “These prominent individuals on our Advisory Board will provide additional discipline and expertise to focus on technologies that are most likely to produce commercial success and to receive follow-up financing and partnerships.”

Mor Yosef, the Chairman of Hadasit and Director General of HMO, added: “Having access to this invaluable and unique brain trust further distinguishes Hadasit from any other technology transfer arm of academic institutions.  Our advisory board’s involvement demonstrates a strong commitment to the development of health technologies, their belief in commercialization of Hadasit’s life science technologies, and a commitment to Israel.”

Hadasit has spun out 20 life science companies.  The firm’s technologies include regenerative medicine technologies based on embryonic as well as adult stem cells; novel treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, and bio-active drugs for various cancers and for degenerative diseases of the nervous system as well as metabolic disorders.  

Hadassah and Hebrew University are constructing a $US 12-million biotech park on the grounds of Hadassah Ein Karen. Dr. Hofstein observed “our new real estate resources and biotech park, together with our new advisory board, move Hadasit closer to its goal of becoming the preeminent center for biotech and medical device commercialization.”

About Hadasit

Hadasit Ltd., a subsidiary of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem, Israel, promotes and commercializes its continuously generated intellectual property and R&D capabilities aimed at finding solutions to problems faced by modern medicine. HMO has already gained a place of honor in the international medical research arena with cutting-edge biomedical technology for the development of novel therapeutics, diagnostic methods and devices.

Guiding technologies from innovation to commercial application, Hadasit is equipped with the full-spectrum of resources and capabilities required for composing and conducting the "symphony" of pre-clinical services & clinical studies, establishing start-up companies, offering product licensing and providing international consulting services.

 www.hadasit.co.il.

For further information: 

Yael Bossem-Levy, Spokesperson   02-6776220