PRESS RELEASE
Hadassah and the Hebrew University to Establish a Biotech Park
on Hadassah's Ein Kerem Campus
JERUSALEM, November 17, 2004 – The Hadassah Medical Organization and the Hebrew University, already partners in five schools of allied medical professions, have come together again to establish a biotechnology park at Hadassah Ein Kerem to provide incubator conditions for startup companies in the life sciences.
In its initial stage, the 9,000 square-meter ( 96,840 square feet) facility will be able to house about 25 startup firms in a supportive and state-of-the-art environment. The physical proximity to the Hadassah University Hospital and the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, both located on the Ein Kerem campus, will allow biotech park tenants access to the facilities and services of both institutions. The park will consist of five floors for offices and laboratories, with three additional levels for parking. The facility is designed to be expanded if demand necessitates.
Hadassah and the Hebrew University have established a joint foundation – UNIHAD – to build and operate the park.
“The advantage of a biotechnological park in immediate proximity to an existing hospital has been proved beneficial in various places worldwide,” said Hadassah Director General Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef. “Urban planners realized that Jerusalem embodies the ideal array and maximum potential for a thriving biotechnological industry. The Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital are on the list of world leaders in accordance with indicators defined by international institutes that determine the impact of publications in the realm of biotechnology.”
According to Moshe Vigdor, Vice-President and Director General of the Hebrew University, “the vast biotechnological research conducted at the Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center is positioning Jerusalem as a national biotechnological hub and a major attraction for international enterprises in biotechnology and pharmaceutics. In addition to biotechnology startup activities,” he said, ”researchers from the Hebrew University, Hadassah and leading Israeli firms will conduct joint Reseach and Development projects in the new location.”
Dr. Raphael Hofstein, CEO of Hadasit, the Hadassah subsidiary that markets the scientific and intellectual products produced and developed at the Hadassah University Medical Center and Israel Amichay, Director General of the Hebrew University Assets Inc, urge entrepreneurs to join in building the biotechnological park. The tender for the park is to be launched within a few days, construction is expected to begin in spring, 2005 and the planned inauguration in spring, 2007.
Construction of the biotechnological park will be based on the BOT system, according to which land, planning of the building, its erection and operation are handed over to the entrepreneurs for 25 years said Dr. Hofstein and Mr. Amichay.
For further information:
Dr. Raphael Hofstein, CEO Hadasit: 972-2-677-8757
Yael Bossem-Levi, Hadassah Spokesperson: 972-2-677-6220
Orit Sulitzeanu, Hebrew University Spokesperson: 972-52-260-8016