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READ THE PATENT OFFICE to find IP to bolster your own position! Most IP at www.uspto.gov is unlicensed, and for small upfronts and reasonable royalties tech entrepreneurs can start to create an "IP THICKET". An IP thicket can be a formidable hedge against competition. Forget ego, and Not Invented Here! Adopt the strongest ideas and patents. IP is at the heart of tech companies, so value it and constantly expand it. View in LinkedIn

A SURPRISE FINDING IN MENTAL DISEASE of distinct illnesses being genetically clustered continues to bolt the foundations of these terrible diseases to biology, rather than 'character', and with this knowledge, will inevitably (eventually) help guide the search for effective drugs to treat these conditions. http://lnkd.in/iP9KCk View in LinkedIn

EXPERIENCE IS AN ODD QUALITY to quantify. Mentors and Advisors to entrepreneurs are often sought not for their in-depth expertise, but for their experience. This is that fuzzy combination of: been-there-done-that, connections, worldly awareness of the history of graveyards, gut feel about strategies, the ability of empathic listening, and calm-in-the-storm under fire. It is not what the mentor started with in early life, that was more related to expertise, but is suited to their stage in later life. Go find a mentor, young entrepreneur! View in LinkedIn

AN INTERESTING CONTRARIAN VIEW ON COMPANION DIAGNOSTICS from an industry veteran with a realist's perspective. Noting that the companion diagnostic field in oncology is likely to get crowded, and speculating about the impact of this on reimbursement, he offers a cautionary perspective. Remember, though, that private pay by patients in dire need may trump the need fir reimbursement, as most of these patients go to great lengths to get the best treatment. http://www.diaceutics.com/pm-partnering-pharma-retort View in LinkedIn

BARCELONA HOSTS THE MWC, amid a lot of buzz and excitement. This region of Spain is home to a really vibrant entrepreneurial community in high tech. Even Telefonica, the giant telecom, has an incubator for ideas and new ventures in the city. This region of Spain is also vibrant in the Smart City scene, and Biopharma. No longer just a fantastic vacation destination, Barcelona is a player in early stage companies. http://lnkd.in/wU_J3X View in LinkedIn

ANGEL INVESTORS play a critical role in financing one of the hardest rounds -- the first one (Seed round). In the US, most VCs are not active in Seed rounds, while in Europe they are much more active in this space. Two key considerations in Angel deals are board seats and valuation. If the Angel has no sector experience, they do not typically add value on the board. secondly, if possible, avoid valuation-tied deals, and instead offer a discount against the next Series A round. Angel-set valuations can be big problems for Series A rounds if they are set significantly too high or too low. http://lnkd.in/mX9PM3 View in LinkedIn

AN INTERESTING POST FOR BOARD DIRECTORS. In today's environment, being a Director of a US public company is more demanding than ever. Public Watchdog groups effectively drive many Committee decisions, in an attempt to comply Class Action lawfirms are constantly opportunistic, and increase personal liability risks, and agencies like SEC can FDA make your life hell. SOX is burdensome, and will never prevent criminal players like Enron. Quarterly reporting tends to keep a short-term focus. Net net, only go public if you absolutely must. http://lnkd.in/dBfG6x View in LinkedIn

A EUROPEAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNSEL has been created to advise on how to harness this economic driver. Firstly, it is a formal recognition of its economic importance. Secondly, it will influence capital expenditure. Assuming the advice forthcoming is halfway valuable, this is cause for optimism, and a sign that growing our way out of the Crisis is at least as important as austerity approaches in the eyes of Brussels. Watch this space. http://lnkd.in/2_afT9 View in LinkedIn

HOW MUCH STOCK TO GIVE IN EARLY TECH COMPANIES? The issue is most key for non-founders, since the founding team typically split the pie. The key is to give enough, but not too much. A hired-gun CEO can earn 5% post Series A; a CFO 1%; a CMO or CSO 4-5%; a COO 2-3%. Board members 1-2%, and SAB 1-2%, typically with double for the Chairman. It is important to give annual MBO based awards to keep them current, and always vesting straight line over 3-4 years. Try and leave enough in the SOP for future hires and distribution. View in LinkedIn

THIS BEAUTIFUL PICTOGRAM OF THE COST TO DEVELOP DRUGS BY BIG PHARMA is at the heart of the urban myth that discovering a new drug costs billions. While it is true for Big Pharma, it only costs that much because they are so inefficient. Small Biopharma companies can do it for 30 - 100 M USD. Do not let the incredible inefficiency of Big Pharma wrongly steal the headlines. It can, and is being done cheaply in small companies all over the world. http://lnkd.in/SNAjxE View in LinkedIn