Month: September 2022

A THOUGHTFUL READ ABOUT TEACHING CREATIVE THINKING, by a leading Barcelona Professor. He sketches out his general method when working with different groups on Out-Of-The-Box thinking, in clear logical steps, making it sound deceptively easy (it is not!). A great read. http://lnkd.in/VebzYk View in LinkedIn

WHAT STRATEGY FOR A NEW US TEST? FDA KIT APPROVAL, OR THE CLIA ROUTE? I have seen some phenomenal strategic errors in this area (names withheld); the best blooper was a set of tests that took a decade and close to 100 M USD in the FDA KIT approval process. This same set of tests would have taken only a matter of months and a few thousand dollars to launch in a CLIA Approved reference lab. If you want an OTC test, there may be reasons to go the FDA route, but rarely does it make sense. Don't become another case study of a flawed strategy! View in LinkedIn

WANTED: SUCCESSFUL MENTORS AND TECHNICAL EXPERTS in Biopharma, IT, and GreenTech, to virtually work as Consultants with Spanish tech companies. You set your fees abd conditions. View in LinkedIn

NICE SUMMARY OF SOME STEM CELL COMPANIES. http://lnkd.in/YBBSGu View in LinkedIn

APRIL 25: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS TO VISIT BARCELONA, sponsored by ACCIÓ. Great projects fostered by this group that do good in the world. A must-see event! http://lnkd.in/yhTnjy View in LinkedIn

JAPAN'S INCJ IS A 21 BN USD VC FUND, surely one of the largest in the history of VC funds, constructed a few years ago by public-private money to revive the Japanese economy. This immense fund covers all area, and is designed to overcome 'Not Invented Here' paralysis that has been common in Japan recently. This very bold initiative again proves that Japan can respond to a big crisis in very forceful and creative ways. View in LinkedIn

PUBLIC GOOD GOOD TRUMPS PRIVACY ISSUES for large scale epidemiological studies such as UK's BioBank and Affymetrics' prospective study of genotypes. There are some European countries whose legislation prevents even identification-redacted patient samples being used in research, and this is plain backward. The public health benefits from large studies must come first. http://lnkd.in/A8uU_h View in LinkedIn

ISRAEL, THE START UP NATION with a tiny population of 8 M, is number 1 in device patents, and reportedly has a staggering 29,000 medical trials in progress in stem cells according to this article. These statistics prove what can be done with a smart and motivated population, that punches far beyond its weight. http://www.nzweek.com/world/israeli-bio-tech-and-medical-devices-industries-one-of-worlds-most-innovative-52712/ View in LinkedIn

CATALUNYA GENERATES ONE FIFTH OF SPAIN's GDP (Catalan Government 2012). This includes 18.4% os Spain's SMEs, which are entrepreneurial in nature, and about the same percent of Spanish companies headquartered in Catalunya. This has been achieved with a population a little smaller than Israel (7.5 M) or only 15% of Spain's population. With a world-class university system, top rated hospitals, and an infrastructure of tech parks, it is no surprise it is a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit. Come to Barcelona on business first, leisure second! View in LinkedIn

CATALUNYA HAS 247,500 STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES, and boasts two top business schools. Barcelona's IESE Business School ranked No 9, and ESADE Business School No 33, worldwide in 2012. By comparison, Oxford University's Said Business School ranked No 7, and Cambridge University's Judge Business School ranked No 8 worldwide in the sane year. These sources of bright young talent have significantly contributed to the entrepreneurial spirit in the Catalan region. View in LinkedIn