The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC have announced that Dr. Michael Fine, Director of HEALTH will lead an official Rhode Island Healthcare and Life Science Trade Mission to Israel on November 8-16, 2013.
The RIEDC-led a trade mission to Israel in 2011 generated more than $5 million in export sales, academic partnerships, and research agreements for Rhode Island businesses and institutions.
“This is a great opportunity for Rhode Island and Israeli healthcare providers and healthcare-related business4es to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and develop joint ventures”, said Dr. Fine. Over the past 10 years, Israel has become a major center of innovative research and cutting-edge technology” said Nili Shalev, Israeli Economic Minister to North America.
Israel is home to about 1,000 innovative life science companies, where 60 percent are medical device companies, 17 percent are pharmaceutical companies, and 10 percent are in the health IT sector.
Israel has produced the highest number of medical device patients per capita in the world and is a hub for numerous groundbreaking innovations in the field. Israeli company researchers are constantly looking to partner with U.S. companies, academic institutions, and hospitals to jointly develop products and establish a beachhead to the U.S market.
The agenda for the mission will include meetings with key contacts in Israel’s healthcare and life science industry, including key government officials from the Ministry of Health, Industry and Trade Labor, and the Office of the Chief Scientist. The trip will also include visits to medical, biomedical, and pharmaceutical facilities, medical schools, life science incubators, and emergency management system facilities.
Rhode Island businesses interested in participating the Trade Mission should contact Kathy Therieau, Director of International trade Programs at ktherieau@riedc.comor call 401-278-9139.