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Do IT this week: Layering
Consultant is connecting Ohio, Finnish industries
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
Akron and state officials have spent several years nurturing technology business partnerships with Israel.
Now an area business consultant hopes to establish formal channels between Ohio's bioscience industry and its counterpart in Finland.
Robert Anthony, founder of REA Inc. in Bath Township, said the Helsinki Business and Science Park shares his vision.
The two entities are launching what they call a ''networking bridge'' for those in bio-life science fields.
''Finland has a very strong technology, (agriculture) bio and bioscience initiative'' fueled by networks and incubators across the country, Anthony said. So why not see if they have ideas to share with Northeast Ohio's renowned medical community, he said.
''When you look at early stage biomedical companies around the world, there are three things they need: access to markets, research partners and funding.''
As to the latter, Anthony said Ohio has more private investors and Finland has more public money and that might benefit some unique collaborations.
''It's not about us wooing Finnish companies here, because they want to woo us there, too,'' Anthony said. ''Right now, it's friends trying to help friends on a world-class stage.''
Akron and the region's efforts to work with Israeli companies are already ''paying early dividends'' and proving that international relationships are beneficial to the local economy, said Baiju Shah, president of Northeast Ohio's nonprofit BioEnterprise business development organization.
For instance, local investors are supporting a business incubator in Tel-Aviv, and several Israeli companies have opened offices in Northeast Ohio.
Shah said he hasn't spoken with Anthony about his plans, but he's encouraged by what he's heard.
BioEnterprise has been working to establish channels with Russia and Hungary, ''and we're pretty hopeful that Bob's efforts in Finland will be a way to connect to another country in a meaningful way.''
Shah said one significant benefit to opening doors in Europe is that there is an easier regulatory path for medical manufacturers. American companies with partnerships in Finland, for instance, might be able to conduct clinical studies faster and go to market sooner.
''In general, all these efforts can make Akron and the region more global,'' Shah said, ''and the benefits are hugely beneficial.''
Anthony said that initially, the target will be early stage companies in wound care, orthopedics, and rehabilitation medicine. Agricultural bio is also a common area of interest and one that Helsinki's Viikki Food Centre will participate in.
Anthony said the partnership is in the ''dialogue'' stage and he's been meeting with Akron city officials, BioOhio and others.
''They're aware of what I'm trying to do and I hope to get more people engaged,'' he said.
REA Inc. is a business development, commercialization and strategic planning company focused on bio-life sciences. Anthony said he has been active in Ohio's bioscience community for 35 years, and has been working with Finnish companies since 2001.
Helsinki Business and Science Park is, among other things, an incubator of companies in the bioscience, food and environmental technology fields.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron and state officials have spent several years nurturing technology business partnerships with Israel.
Get the full article here.
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