Ramell International
Transatlantic Business Facilitator

The Problem

While running the corporate program of the World Affairs Council, identified the need to engage the emerging biotechnology industry, a fast-growing component of the U.S. and global economy, in the dialogue of international affairs at both the executive and public levels.

The Solution

Created a Biotech Task Force to involve senior-level executives in discussions of transnational issues affecting the life sciences industry.  Task Force led by Chiron Corporation and Nektar Therapeutics with the active involvement of universities, foundations, venture capitalists and smaller biotechnology companies.

The Results

• Engaged 43 biotechnology CEOs and venture capitalists in discussions of the social and political implications of scientific discovery with, for example, The Rockefeller Foundation to explore how public-private partnerships may be used to address the problems of hunger and infectious disease.
• Created ongoing programs for both the corporate community and the general public, such as how the San Francisco Bay Area is coping with the threat of bioterrorism.
• Program was featured on National Public Radio and in USA Today.