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News from MIBB

APRIL 2008

Ron Perry appointed MIBB Executive DirectorRon Perry

The Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB), a new, not-for-profit business organization dedicated to promoting business and investment opportunities between Michigan and the State of Israel, announced the hiring of Ron Perry as its first executive director.

"Ron is the ideal candidate for the position; he has the skills, experience and enthusiasm to help lead Michigan in securing business opportunities with the State of Israel, said Chuck Newman, CEO of ReCellular Inc and president of the MIBB Board of Directors. “Ron, who speaks fluent Hebrew and worked in Israel's hightech industry, understands the unique nature of Israel's culture and economy."

Perry joined the MIBB shortly after its inception. He was one of a small, but dedicated, group of volunteers whose passion for the MIBB mission helped turn the vision into action and created an organization with an already impressive track record. As executive director, Perry’s first priorities are to attract Israeli businesses to Michigan by leveraging the under-utilized resources and strategic advantages that Michigan has to offer and to continue actively recruiting new members. Perry said he strongly believes that the power of MIBB lies in the strength of its network.

Prior to MIBB, Perry was a successful and highly recognized sales representative with Medtronic in Southeast Michigan. Prior to Medtronic, he lived in Israel and was a strategy consultant for hightech companies seeking to penetrate the U.S. market. In addition to his professional pursuits, Perry is actively involved in various volunteer activities in his community. He resides in Southeast Michigan with his wife and two sons. (April 7, 2008)

To reach Ron please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

FEBRUARY 2008

RenoPharm returns for second visit to Michigan

In February 2008, RenoPharm returned for another visit to West and Mid-Michigan. This visit was once again facilitated by the MIBB. RenoPharm is a developer of a novel group of NO-donor drugs RenoPharmwith the lead product, Pet-8, being a potentially effective non-tolerant drug candidate for treatment of epilepsy and hypertension.

The company is seeking investment and research collaboration to continue development of the Pet-8 drug.

For further information on Renopharm and investment opportunities, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

MIBB facilitates return visit of Orabio to explore opportunities in Ann Arbor

In February 2008, the CEO of Orabio, Yossi Israel, and his colleagues returned to Ann Arbor to continue discussions on pre-clinical collaboration for its age-related macular degeneration research efforts. The group from Orabio also presented information on the company and its technologies to interested investors.

Orabio has developed ORA101, a novel angiogenesis inhibitor drug that has multiple applications. The drug is effective against malignant tumors and metastasis, and is characterized by its lack of toxicity and by its oral bioavailability. The unique properties of this drug can be appreciated when compared to state-of-the-art treatments.

Orabio is in the middle of a multi- center, randomized phase II clinical trial in lung cancer patients, and is also in the process of initiating pre-clinical research in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

For further information on Orabio and investment opportunities, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

DECEMBER 2007

 

MIBB matches Michigan and Israeli businesspeople.

Before the Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) was formally established, we had already hosted several Israeli companies in Michigan in 2007, with more visits planned during 2008. The goal of these visits was to introduce Israeli companies to potential business, research, and investor partners in Michigan.

Several of these visits have been facilitated by local MIBB member Eyal Dolev. Eyal is well connected with the Israeli high-tech industry and serves as the North American business development representative of New Generation Technology (NGT) incubator in Nazareth, Israel. NGT is the first incubator in Israel to be jointly owned by Jewish and Israeli Arab businesspeople. Both Orabio and Renopharm (described below) originated from the NGT incubator.

Below are a few examples the active work MIBB is engaged in to fullfil one of it goals of bringing jobs to Michigan through Israeli companies locating here.
 
 

MIBB brings together 16 Israeli auto suppliers and 12 Michigan auto companies for matchmaking at a MIBB initiated event.

Save On November 4-6, the Michigan-Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) in partnership with Automation Alley(AA), the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, the Michigan Economic Development Organization (MEDC), and Oakland County--- organized an intriguing series of matchmaking events that brought 16 Israeli automotive related companies to Michigan to meet with 12 Michigan automotive manufactures and suppliers.

This event was conceived by Eyal Dolev, a member of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge, who realized that Israeli companies could supply high quality products to US companies just as they do to their European counterparts. He also knew that the heart of the Michigan auto industry was the natural place to have matchmaking sessions.
It may surprise you to know that Israel has a vibrant automotive supply industry providing both new and replacement parts and high technology solutions to the world automotive industry. Israeli companies have many customers in Europe and are now seeking to enter the US market in a big way. In fact, your next car’s oil pan may have a Hebrew stamp on it (Article).

The events began on November 4 with a reception and private dinner in honor of the visiting Israelis. The next morning the main matchmaking took place at Automation Alley in Troy. After welcomes and company overviews, representatives of the Israeli and Michigan companies met at meetings set up by MIBB to discuss product needs and sales. That evening many of the participants attended a dinner and on the following days additional matchmaking meetings were held at Michigan company offices.

Dignitaries in attendance included Noa Asher, Israeli Consul for Economic Affairs for the Midwest and State Senator Martin Knollenberg.

Participating Israeli companies were - Eltam Ein-Hashofet, Foamotive, Israel Rubber Products Co., Carmel, MAG-EH, Mivrag, Omen, Ornit, Ortal, Tadir-Gan, Prime Sense, Raviv, Siron, Supergum, Thermosiv, Traffilog.

The Michigan based companies were Ford, Visteon, Delphi, Takata, Aisin-Seiki, TACOM, Hirotec America, Foamode, Magna Steyr, Versatube, Yazaki, Hi-Lex and Foamode.

Additional contributions to the event were made by:

Butzel Long – hosted evening reception for Israeli delegation (at home of Beth Gotthelf). This was a fabulous event that provided a warm reception to the Israelis and allowed us to provide an overview of the next day (Ron) and the MIBB organization (Chuck).

Cantor Colburn – provided welcome baskets to Israeli delegation.

Jaffe Raitt – sponsored lunch on the day of the event.

Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute – sponsored dinner following event.

This event highlighted the important roll Israeli companies and play for the US auto industry. Uri Pachter, Business Development Manager, Automotive & Subcontracting Sectors, The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, said “I can say…..that the best thing [our Deputy Director] has done so far for the automotive sector was to introduce you [MIBB] to our organization”