RICHMOND, Va., September 2, 2007 - The
Virginia Israel BioSciences Commercialization Center (VIBSCC) announced today that it will dispatch a business and scientific delegation to Israel to select up to five of the most promising Israeli bioscience companies that would benefit from participation in
Gateway America, a program that supports Israeli bioscience companies seeking to enter the U.S. market. The delegation will be interviewing Israeli companies the week of October 7-11, 2007 to determine which companies will be invited to participate in a special two day program held at the VIBSCC in Richmond, Virginia, on December 4 -5, 2007.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Israeli businesses in the bioscience field. The purpose of the VIBSCC is to benefit Israeli bioscience companies through a combination of services that ultimately give them the upper hand when entering the U.S. market,” said Ralph Robbins, executive director of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board. “These interviews are the first step to identifying the most qualified companies to which we can offer these advantages.”
One-on-one meetings with Owen’s & Minor, McKesson, potential investors, serial entrepreneurs connected to the Center, medical experts, senior management
The two day
Gateway America program will offer each of the selected Israeli companies “tachlis”, one-on-one meetings and working sessions with venture capitalists, angel investors, and leading medical distributors including Owens & Minor and McKesson. Additional meetings will take place with the management of the Commercialization Center.
The VIBSCC comprises part of one of the fastest growing Biotech parks in the U.S. and features a medical center with an award-winning Center of Excellence in the BioTechnology Research Park and the Virginia BioSciences Development Center. The Center connects participating businesses with a group of senior staff with expertise in sales, marketing, distribution and clinical academic fields nationwide. VIBSCC participants obtain direct access to external marketing and distribution channels, as well as investment capital, including a $3 million Israeli Opportunity Fund established by Virginia-based angel investors.
The delegation will arrive in Israel on October 6, 2007 and start the interview process in Tel Aviv on October 7, 2007.
