Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Advances in biomedical technologies are creating global effects on individual and public health and safety; social and political systems; and economic development. The current biomedical revolution opens up possibilities for increased life span, economic prosperity, and improved quality of life. As such, Biomedical Research can play an important role in at least four of the WEF�s 12 Pillars of Global Competitiveness: Health and Primary Education, Higher Education and Training, Innovation, and Business Sophistication. It is clear that MENA Region countries will have to invest their exceptional wealth in the types of innovation and transfer of technology and know-how that can translate into future, non-petroleum-based, economic growth. In the WEF�s latest Global Competitiveness Index, Qatar and the UAE ranked 14th and 17th, respectively, overall and were numbers one and two in the MENA Region. It is not surprising that both countries are investing heavily in the development of Biomedical Research capacity and ongoing efforts, like Sidra�s Research Branch and DuBiotech, are starting to pay significant dividends both technically and economically. With a focus on state-of-art research in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics, among others, Sidra Research is leading the way for the development of new technologies in the treatment of acute and chronic disease. Sidra Research is trying its best to have a tangible impact on public health, especially as it relates to fetal/maternal conditions that are endemic in the MENA Region. Cancer immunotherapy is one of several areas of focus that will be highlighted in this keynote presentation.

Biography

Mark G Bloom, as Director of the Office of Technology Transfer, is responsible for leading the long-term growth of Sidra’s technology transfer program. In addition to the traditional duties of overseeing Sidra’s intellectual property rights portfolio, he is responsible for developing technology transfer and intellectual property rights management strategies that support Sidra’s mission to become a world-class academic health center focusing on women’s and children’s health. Sidra expects to become a regional leader in moving innovation and research to the commercial marketplace and is looking to its Office of Technology Transfer to play a leading role in realizing that goal.

Email: mbloom@sidra.org