MATIMOP – The Israeli Industry Center for R&D
Industry House, 29 Hamered St.
POB 50364
Phone: + 972-3-5118111
Fax: + 972-3-5177655
Web site: www.matimop.org.il
Contact: Edith Moshe, MARCOM
The pace of innovation, development and growth within Israel’s Life Sciences sector represents one of the country’s most impressive opportunities for economic and industrial expansion. Built on a foundation of academic excellence, a highly skilled workforce, entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge technological innovation, Israel has rapidly evolved into a recognized world leader for breakthroughs in medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Ranked No.1 in the world in Medical Device patents per capita, and No. 4 in Bio-Pharma patents per capita, Israel is widely regarded as a source of innovation throughout the medical world.
This innovative activity has been translated to flourishing Bio-Medical industry. By the beginning of 2006, the total number of Life Sciences companies reached over 600 companies, with an average of 53 new companies being formed per year over the last 6 years. Almost 40% of these companies already generate revenue, demonstrating that Israel has crossed the threshold of excellent early-stage R&D activity and moved into running attractive and commercially viable businesses.
The attractiveness of the innovative sector is further highlighted by the interest afforded it by international investors and Life Sciences companies. Venture Capital investment in the industry has risen to $369 million in 2006, and almost every multinational Pharma and medical device company is represented in Israel.
Israel has been noted for its excellent resources and innovation in the realms of Cardiology, Oncology and the Central Nervous System (CNS). In recent years, driven by growth in the medical device sector, the country has also come to be recognized for its achievements in orthopedics and ophthalmology. Top class research in genetics and cell therapy have established Israeli scientists among the earliest pioneers of Stem Cell therapy, and a government sponsored research consortium spanning academia and industry aims to keep Israel at the heart of the regenerative medicine map.
The combination of this Israeli expertise in research and excellent progress in drug development has led to blockbuster drugs as well as other promising treatments emerging from Israeli companies and research institutions. The four best selling prescription drugs of Israeli origin generated worldwide sales of $3.4bn in 2005.
Drug |
For |
Developed by |
Pharma Company |
Worldwide Sales 2005 |
Copaxone |
Multiple Sclerosis |
Weizmann Institute |
Teva |
$1.12bn |
Rebif |
Multiple Sclerosis |
Weizmann Institute |
Serono |
$1.30bn |
Exelon |
Alzheimer’s |
Hebrew University |
Novartis |
$470m |
Doxil |
Cancer |
Hadassah Medical Center |
Johnson & Johnson |
$500m |
Research carried out in 2004 demonstrated that Israel invests a larger percentage of its GDP - 4.8% - on civilian R&D than any OECD country.
Industrial R&D is Israel’s growth engine and the Office of the Chief Scientist is the government arm for defining and implementing support of industrial R&D.
The Israeli government is involved in various efforts to encourage global companies to increase their direct involvement in Israel and provides generous incentives packages for companies interested in developing R&D or manufacturing facilities in Israel.