Bibiana Campos-Seijo
|
On 7–9 May I attended ERBI's Biopartnering Exchange in Cambridge (UK), an event that brought together national and international
entrepreneurs, senior executives and industry experts of the biotechnology sector.
As 2008 was ERBI's 10th anniversary they really pushed the boat out: we enjoyed talks by Nobel Prize winners, Professors and
one or two Sirs, and were treated to a fabulous firework display.
From where I was sitting, the meeting was hugely successful: the sessions were interesting, informative and entertaining,
and the hectic biopartnering schedule saw many delegates trying to fulfil their extremely busy timetables yet maximize the
quality of the time spent meeting potential clients and investors.
A very insightful session was chaired by Andy Richards, who invited four key players in the industry to discuss their experiences
and reminisce about the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly days that have helped shape their careers. It was also very refreshing
to hear Clive Cookson, Science Editor of the Financial Times, encouraging researchers and scientists to engage with the press and talk to journalists. Simultaneously, he called for the
media to focus on the relevance of the information provided and not its entertainment value when reporting scientific developments.
And there was debate too! There seemed to be strong disagreement among the different experts with regard to funding availability
(i.e., venture capitalists or VCs) and the future of the biotechnology sector. While some asserted that there are no funds
and many small companies, unviable in their view, should disappear, others maintained that although a proportion of VCs appear
to have vanished into thin air, there is still money, room for investment and will to aid start-up private companies. However
controversial this may be, it is a sign that all parties (industry, academics, investors) are still passionately trying to
steer any developments in the biotechnology sector in the right direction.
But my favourite moment of the event has to be Professor Sir Christopher Evan's presentation. Among many incisive comments,
whacky slides and clever quotes, the concluding statement "I'd rather be a tiger for one day than a sheep for 100" was the
icing on the cake. It is a very romantic notion indeed, but one that, I fear, remains quite invalid as a business model. It
makes, however, for wonderful life ethics...
Dr Bibiana Campos-Seijo
bcampos.seijo@advanstar.com
Quality Contract Manufacuturing for semi-solids and liquids
Achieve optimum FTIR performance, sensitivity, reliability and value with Shimadzu spectrometers.
Introducing the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System, the new UPLC system for HPLC users
Celebrating 35 years of processing solutions! Join us, May 4-6, in Rosemont, IL.
Introducing the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System, the new UPLC system for HPLC users
See the latest news from Optima Group pharma.
Buy new and used pharmaceutical equipment, used process equipment and laboratory equipment at LabX. Auctions, classifieds, and post FREE wanted ads to locate equipment.
Try a complimentary sample of the new ultra-pure gasket from Gore PharmBIO Products
Major Biotech & Pharmaceutical Equipment Auction from Pfizer, Merck & More
Special offers on new and improved products from Restek.