What's Wrong With Israel Bio-Tech?

Those of you who work in the Science Park, Kiryat Weizmann, are fully aware that the Swiss company, Serono, closed InterPharm Laboratories, based in Rehovot(see recent BioMedMarket News). As a result, more than three hundred people (including many scientists with advanced professional degrees) have lost their jobs. In its November 2004 front page story, BioIsrael wrote that Serono's CEO Ernesto Bertarelli is "violating a commitment made by his father and himself."

The question is: can one be sure that everything is well with Israel High-Tech in general, and Bio-Tech in particular?It is no secret that recent stagnation yielded the default by many firms. It was just in Spring 2004, when a large amount of spare lab and office space in the Science Park was available at attractive prices, indicative of the resources idle time.

If so, is the Serono case an indication that something is wrong with Israel Bio-Tech? What should we expect in the near future and in a distant perspective?What are the thoughts of Israel High-Tech and Bio-Tech insiders?

What are the feelings of those trained to advance biomedical science and committed to develop the prestige of their country in this important field of knowledge?Do they share the recent optimistic prognosis as published in various other articles (see BioMedMarket News of 12 November and 13 November 2004)?

Think about it. Make a summary of your thoughts and submit it as a comment to MyRehovot. Your opinion will no doubt help to understand the true nature of Israel Bio-Tech trend, and its creative development.