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BARCELONA GLOBAL and others, are active in this most popular of European cities, to attract and retain international talent. This hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, with a healthy infrastructure and strong universities, is moving quickly to being a leading European technology city. http://www.irbbarcelona.org/index.php/en/news/irb-in-the-media/science-promotes-the-barcelona-brand View in LinkedIn

APRIL 30th BIOBASH" "" "FIRST MONTHLY BioBash at The Gild International, 5 Permanayer, at Pau Claris and Diputaco in Barcelona, starting after 6 pm with door charge of 5€ to cover a couple of drinks and finger food. We hope you can come, enjoy some music, drinks and a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, to mingle and meet your fellow BioBashers socially. We will have speakers in the future. Everyone invited! View in LinkedIn

I OFTEN ADVISE YOUNG UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE to do three things. First, network and pick the brains of people within your chosen sector, to learn more about it; everyone will accept a 20 minute call or meeting if you are just seeking their opinions. Second, become a volunteer intern in your sector, so your CV is not just blank, and so you learn new skills. Most people will not turn away free labor, and if you shine, who knows. Finally, immerse yourself in learning something applied that is relevant to your career choice. http://lnkd.in/SsDius View in LinkedIn

RULE OF THUMB WHEN PRESENTING TO INVESTORS: ensure you have applied for a patent or have secured an exclusive license to a patent first. They will not sign CDAs, so just be smart. The chance of an idea being stolen is very low indeed. I did hear recently of a VC stealing an idea presented that was not yet licensed from the owner, but those events are rare. File the IP before you start to create your own prior art problems. In general investors see so many entrepreneurs burning to develop an idea that they do not have to go looking for good ideas to start a company around. View in LinkedIn

SMART NANO MACHINES DRIVE THE USB STICK DNA SEQUENCER that may revolutionize our world by providing cheap and fast DNA sequences. Calling it brilliant is an understatement. The pure leap in technology is simply breathtaking. The horse has bolted from the stable even while the debate continues about what we do with the animal. It will not go back, so this is here to stay. Whether we like it or not, DNA sequences are going to become an ever hotter topic in the future. http://lnkd.in/ZitjjQ View in LinkedIn

IDEAS ARE CHEAP, EXECUTION IS HARD. I am constantly meeting people with great ideas. Some of them are actually patented. I also read (browse) the Patent Office where over 7 M ideas have been filed. But the reality is that ideas are much easier to come up with than the resolve to choose JUST ONE and turn it into reality. When you present your concepts (hopefully patent applied for by then!) to investors remember this: nobody is likely to run off with your idea, because that is an immensely different task. http://lnkd.in/fRxDkp View in LinkedIn

ONE THIRD OF EU PATIENTS NEEDING A RARE DISEASE DRUG WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY getting the drug paid for as the EU tightens reimbursement on costly drugs. Different countries have different criteria on this controversial issue. Determining what is a 'fair' return for an innovator appears to be a consideration for some regulators. Without incentives, biopharma companies would not go after diseases with small populations. Patient groups are understandably concerned when drug access is limited, and a number of them have actually paid for R&D and clinical trials for these drugs (500 M USD/yr). http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-07/orphan-drug-prices-under-siege-in-austerity-minded-europe.html View in LinkedIn

GOING FOR SEED FUNDING? THINK INTERNATIONAL ANGELS. Yes, beyond your borders exist Angel groups and organizations that are worth talking to. This article is a useful start. http://www.midatlanticinvestmentnetwork.com/article/how-to-get-international-angel-investors-for-your-startup View in LinkedIn

US BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SPENDING is in danger of dropping, as this excellent article outlines. Almost all major commercial innovations have been linked to university work. Strong universities have spawned clusters of technology companies across the world. For the US, who has a commitment to excellence in research, to fall behind for spurious reasons would unwind its technological competitiveness. Politicization of science is threatening this important world leadership position. http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1675581& View in LinkedIn

THE HUMAN METABOLISM IS NOT SUITED FOR OUR SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE. Driving to work, you have a near-miss accident. Your adrenaline is released, fats mobilized, which for the cave man fleeing a predator would have fueled a flight or fight muscle response. But for you in the car, your fat released is just laid down in the arteries and ultimately, liver. Stress triggers that once served a vital function, now are harmful to our health. Our metabolic evolution is not matched to our social evolution. http://www.frontiersin.org/Neuroscience/10.3389/fnins.2013.00047/abstract View in LinkedIn