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VALENCIA'S OPERA HOUSE is a stunning modern soaring blue and white creation that at times is a ship, a Greek helmet, or a spaceship. Typical of Spain's taste for dramatic contrast of modernity with antiquity, this remarkable building is one of a number scattered across this surprising country. My host at lunch confessed that her grandparents dined on Paella daily, and that only the Valencia Paella was the authentic version. Combined with the large and very modern (of course) polytechnic campus, this city was full of surprises. View in LinkedIn

ABOUT 870 BIOSIMILARS are reportedly in development, and many more are likely when more patents expire. It remains to be seen how this market will shake out from a regulatory and from a pricing perspective. http://lnkd.in/Jkkd75 View in LinkedIn

VALENCIA's Polytechnic University is an impressive giant campus full of modern buildings. Its chemical engineering building is stuffed full of simulated mini petroleum reactors, and ultra high-tech instruments. The Red Cube building is the Innovation group. True to form, its conference rooms on the top floor are named Aprende, Atiende, Debate, Descubre, Escoge, Resuelve, and last but not least, Seduce. View in LinkedIn

ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION view of innovation in the next 100 years, a thought-provoking read. http://lnkd.in/YCPYz8 View in LinkedIn

1,000,000,000, then 5,000, then 1,000, then 100. The relationship between these numbers? Very soon, the price to sequence the entire human genome. Game Changer. http://lnkd.in/CXdsgu View in LinkedIn

PERSONAL TESTIMONY about the utility of genetic testing by somebody with a familial cancer mutation that decimated his family. Very compelling read if you doubt that knowledge is power. http://lnkd.in/Tpda-j View in LinkedIn

CTCs (Circulating Tumor Cells) in blood as a prognostic for cancer is an important avenue of investigation, since tumor biopsy is often difficult or undesirable. Furthermore, it may be this very subpopulation that is involved in metastasis. As analytic techniques become more sensitive, this approach becomes increasingly feasible. " "" " http://lnkd.in/fZg-Aw View in LinkedIn

MICRODIAGNOSTIC devices are at prototype level in a number of SMEs, and can perform analysis on very small samples, replacing large and expensive machinery with very small instruments. The portability and cost advantages make these devices perfect for Point of Care (POC) uses, at the bedside in acute care, and in the field for developing countries. But unless more cost effective and reliable than lab-based tests, their utility will likely be limited to acute and severe conditions. " "" " http://lnkd.in/wWAx_M View in LinkedIn

FASTER FDA DRUG APPROVALS have several old and new mechanisms, including Priority Review, Fast Track, Accelerated Approval and most recently, Breakthrough designation. These are aimed at life-threatening diseases. Under enormous public scrutiny and patient group pressure, the data will emerge how effective these measures are in an understaffed and overworked agency. " " http://lnkd.in/87Ruxm View in LinkedIn

ROBOTIC PILLS to monitor vital sign, activity and even medication compliance are emerging. The FDA has approved such a device from Proteus that wirelessly transmits data to a patch worn by the patient. Marry this with Intelligent Drugs, and you have reinvented the Pharma industry, and given new life to off-patent drugs. " "This happened with asthma drugs: suddenly old molecules were wrapped in delivery device IP and revitalized this sector. Pharma needs some new plays as the patent cliff eats their lunch. This could be one of them along with biologicals. " "" "" "" " http://lnkd.in/YScYp5 View in LinkedIn