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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

"MIND THE GAP" is the London underground logo to describe that dangerous gap that presents itself as you mount some trains, which doubtless has swallowed countless innocents. The same applies to funding of Spanish biopharma: add up the amount needed for clinical trials in coming years, and the amount available from the Usual Suspects, and the Gap is large. This means these companies have to seek capital outside of Spain to survive. In today's world, that is most likely through partnerships and alliances. View in LinkedIn

REPROGRAMMED STEM CELLS ARE BECOMING ROUTINE: in this study, patient skin samples are turned into beating heart cells in a dish to investigate a familial heart defect. This powerful technology will be invaluable to uncover disease causes. http://lnkd.in/DxQHZt View in LinkedIn

POLITICIANS WHO FEAR PROPOSING TAX BREAKS FOR R&D INVESTORS should read this report. The tiny sliver (really) of lost taxes can create a mountain of jobs and even more wealth. Short-term stasis and fear of taking a bold step (not so bold because the US, UK, France, Israel and others have already done this) is short-sighted and irresponsible. It is time that the public, energized with the concept of entrepreneuring, pressure these laggards to join the real world, or be remembered as dinosaurs. http://commercialbiotechnology.com/article/view/145 View in LinkedIn

BIG PHARMA CONTINUES TO TRY AND REINVENT ITSELF, with rare diseases, big data, and new ways of doing R&D, in order to avoid extinction. Pain is a spur of creativity, and fear of death an even greater goad. I think we will see some radical solutions emerge, since most of the Hymn Book ones have been tried and failed. http://lnkd.in/F6-rh4 View in LinkedIn

WHACKY SPANISH FIESTAS: the Fiesta of The Dead Sardine is an example of wild and wonderful. In February, before Lent, this fiesta takes on super-theatrical proportions as large processions of mourners with the coffin of the Dead Sardine circuit the streets of towns, with lamentations, and end up with a funeral. First commemorated by a Goya painting, this annual ritual has been preserved as part of Spain's passion for silliness, dressing up, having a thoroughly good time, and generally seeking any excuse to connect and entertain. There is a rich history of Spanish fiestas that lives on today. View in LinkedIn

"HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING" is a useful way to ask legal advice about a delicate personal or corporate issue, because it is the modern analogue of "I have a friend who..." strategy. It does not put the lawyer in any compromised position in giving an answer, and is the equivalent of an academic case study. Use this for those sensitive issues. View in LinkedIn

EASTER IN SPAIN IS BIG: on Maunday Thursday, the small Catalan town of Verges held a nighttime spectacular (La Processó de Verges) with processions through town and an ancient play about Christ and Death that had been held every year since the Black Death (1358) decimated the town (and 25 million others). The thousands gathered was somber. Elsewhere across Spain Easter lively celebrations go until the very earlyhours. It is one of the remarkable charms of this country that it can respect an event in the 14th Century and participate at the cutting edge of technology at the same time. View in LinkedIn

ENTREPRENEURS MUST BE ADEPT AT NETWORKING. Shrinking violets need not apply. That said, most people find it understandably tough. This article has some helpful hints. Join Toastmasters if you want a fuller introduction to not being shy. I met a VC recently who went to a standup comic bootcamp to break his phobia. Admittedly, that is a choice that is pretty drastic, but I was informed that it worked a charm, http://lnkd.in/viCjjk View in LinkedIn

THE GENTLE ART OF PERSUASION is a term of art, or a fuddy-duddy old-fashioned way of saying the Art of Pitching. Personally, the sports metaphor grates, and there is a nasty front-of-the-tongue rancid taste of the used car salesman. The ancient Greeks found oration a noble art, full of strategems and lucid use of the language. For them, it was a high art. If you prefer, as I do, to think of persuasion as different from coercion or some type of trickery, you may want to use an older term to describe the life of an entrepreneur. http://lnkd.in/qddjb9 View in LinkedIn