About the Conference

"INCREASING U.S. - CROATIAN COOPERATION IN THE ICT, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY"

Objectives
This four-day conference will feature renowned experts from the U.S. and Croatia who will focus on determining opportunities and strategies that will lead to increased collaboration in several key areas that might directly influence educational and scientific exchange, investment and trade between the U.S. and Croatia in the ICT, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry sectors.

Focus
This meeting uniquely brings to the same experts with multiple disciplines critical for introducing educational and scientific exchanges, and investment and trade between the U.S. and Croatia in the ICT, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry sectors.

On the first day the topics will include key factors important for the development of collaboration and investment in high technology sectors between Croatia and the U.S. These include development of programs to exchange staff members between the U.S. and Croatian scientific organizations, approaches for increased university-to-university cooperation, and building relationships at the level of the research workbench. In addition, one section will be devoted to giving prominence to very successful Croatian scientists who were educated both in Croatia and the U.S., further emphasizing the direct positive impact of the collaboration between the two countries.

The second day will review mechanisms that will increase investment and trade between the U.S. and Croatia in high technology sectors. The focus will be on identifying factors important to increasing the number of U.S. companies operating high technology projects (R&D or production) in Croatia. The emphasis will be placed on opportunities for strengthening SMEs in Croatia, Croatian R&D capabilities for joint venture growth and factors that could directly influence increasing presence of U.S. investors in high technology sectors in Croatia (VCs, hedge funds, investors, etc). The role that Croatia could have as a bridge for U.S. business partnership opportunities elsewhere in Europe will be especially addressed.

On the third day the conference will focus on the U.S. technology transfer experience, goals and standards and will evaluate possibilities for establishment of successful technology transfer in Croatian research institutions. Furthermore, focus will be placed on steps to take on how to improve key areas, such as intellectual property management and technology development. The meeting is expected to result in a summary of recommendations to both the Croatian and U.S. governments relating to topics of interest.

Guidelines will be issued for Croatian companies that will better prepare them to participate in ventures involving technology transfer with the U.S.

Program

Monday, October 1, 2007

09.00 - 14.00	Registration
14.00 - 15.30	Pre-session meeting: Venture Capital Forum Chairs: Silvije Čipčić-Bragadin, Vice President, Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Zagreb, Croatia and Neven Karlovac, Vice President, Larta Institute, Los Angeles, CA (Vis Conference Room)
14.00 - 15.30	Pre-session meeting: U.S. Croatian Collaboration in Oncology Chairs: Steven Pavletić, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD and Eduard Vrdoljak, School of Medicine, University of Split (Korčula Conference Room)
15.35 - 16.30	Welcoming reception
16.00 - 16.30	Press Conference (Korčula Conference Room)
16.30	Opening session (Grand Dalmacija 1 Conference Room)
16.30	Moderator: Ms. Barbara Kolar
16.35	Chairperson opening remarks: Danica Ramljak, President and CEO, Medora Global Consultants, LLC, McLean, VA Damir Vucić, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia Nadan Vidošević, President, Croatian Chamber of Commerce Slobodan Mikac, Director, Croatian Trade and Promotion Agency Damir Kuštrak, President, Croatian Employer´s Association Ante Sanader, Governor of Splitsko-Dalmatinska County Robert Bradtke, U.S Ambassador in Croatia U.S. Congressman (To be confirmed)* Branko Vukelić, Minister, Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship, RH (TBC)* Dragan Primorac, Minister, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, RH Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister of Croatia (TBC)*
17.00 - 17.15	Music program: Klapa Sinj
17.00 - 17.45	Plenary Keynote: Croatia as a country for pharmaceutical industry growth: Barr Pharmaceuticals Perspective, Timothy B. Sawyer, Senior Vice President and European Head of Commercial Development, Barr Pharmaceuticals, U.S. and Croatia (45 min)
17.55 - 18.30	Plenary Keynote: R&D in ICT Industry in Croatia: Ericsson Nikola Tesla´s Experience, Gordana Kovačević, President of the Company, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Croatia (35 min)
18.30 - 19.30	Dinner with entertainment program: Klapa Sinj and guests

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

08.00 - 08.10	Meeting charge: Danica Ramljak, Conference Chair, CEO, Medora Global Consultants, LLC, McLean, VA
08.10 - 10.15	Scientific and Educational Exchange Between U.S. and Croatia: Basis for future (first part) Chairs: Jelena Filipović-Grčić, Vice-Dean, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb and Steven Pavletić, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
08.15 - 08.35	Plenary Lecture: "Scientific and Educational Exchange between Croatia and the U.S: An Overview ", Radovan Fuchs, Assist. Minister, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Republic of Croatia (20 min)
08.40 - 08.55	MBA program with the Kelly Institute at the Indiana University, Sandra Švaljek, Director of Economic Institute, Zagreb (15 min)
09.00 - 09.15	The American College of Management and Technology: Ten years of Croatian experience, Don Hudspeth, Dean of the American College of Management and Technology in Dubrovnik, Croatia (15 min)
09.20 - 09.35	In the spotlight: U.S. Affiliates Community in Croatia, Ninoslav Šćukanec, Director, Institute for the Development of Education, Zagreb (15 min)
09.40 - 10.25	Special lecture: The scientific collaboration between U.S. and Croatia in oncology: The role of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Lee J. Helman, Scientific Director for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (45 min) Introduction: Danica Ramljak
10.35 - 10.55	Coffee Break
11.00 - 13.00	Scientific and Educational Exchange Between U.S. and Croatia: Basis for future (second part) Chairs: Melita Kovačević, Vice-Rector, University of Zagreb, Croatia and Goran Matijašević, Director of Research Development, UC Industry-University Cooperative Research Program Fellow, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering - UC Irvine, CA
11.00 - 11.20	The importance of scientific training at the NIH: Croatian Scientist's View, Siniša Volarević, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka (20 min)
11.25 - 11.45	U.S. - Croatian scientific collaboration: The importance of the joint NIH funding, Stipan Jonjić, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka (20 min)
11.50 - 12.10	Novel Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases in Zagreb: The Role of U.S. Collaborators, Alemka Markotić, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb (20 min)
12.15 - 13.00	Special lecture: Gray F. Handly, Associate Director for IRA, International Research Affairs, National Institutes of Health, NIAID, Bethesda, MD: (Presentation Title to be Determined) (45 min) Introduction: Alemka Markotić
13.00 - 14.00	Lunch break
14.05 - 15.55	Upcoming Challenges for Croatian Science in High Technology Era Chairs: Alemka Markotić, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb and Vesna Hassler, European Patent Office, Wiena, Austria
14.05 - 14.35	Plenary lecture: Croatian National Science Foundation: Vision for the Future of Science in Croatia, Pero Lučin, President, Croatian National Science Foundation, Zagreb (30 min)
14.40 - 15.00	The potential of the University of Zagreb to meet a challenge of high technology era in Croatia, Melita Kovačević, Vice Rector for Science, University of Zagreb (20 min)
15.05 - 15.25	Medical School of Zagreb and its role in future development of academia and industry partnerships, Nada Čikeš, Dean, Medical School of Zagreb, Zagreb (20 min)
15.30 - 15.50	Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Zagreb: Prominent Partner to Croatian ICT Industry, (Speaker to be Announced), Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Zagreb University (20 min)
15.55 - 16.15	Coffee Break
16.20 - 18.20	U.S. Experience and Exchange of Knowledge in the Key Areas for Academia Industry Collaboration Chairs: Boro Dropulić, CEO, Lentigen, Baltimore, MD and Damir Vucić, Executive Director, AMCHAM in Zagreb, Croatia
16.20 - 16.40	U.S. University Technology Transfer: An important basis for Academia-Industry Collaboration, Goran Matijašević, Research Development UC Industry-University Cooperative Research Program Fellow, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering - UC Irvine Technology Transfer Director, Irvine, CA (20 min)
16.45 - 17.05	The importance of patenting for future development of Croatian Science: Combining U.S. and Croatian Experience, Mladen Vukmir, Vukimir and Associates, Zagreb (20 min)
17.10 - 17.30	Networking and connecting with a global entrepreneurial community, Neven Karlovac, Vice-President, Larta Institute, Los Angeles, CA (20 min)
17.35 - 18.05	Special lecture Office of International Affairs, National Cancer Institute: Current Activities, Joe Harford, Director, Office for International Affairs, NCI, Bethesda, MD (30 min)
18.10 - 18.20	Conference Chair Concluding Remarks: Danica Ramljak (10 min)
19.30 - 21.30	In the Spotlight: Special Dinner Evening Session with David Wetherell Interview and QA with pioneer of the U.S. IT industry David Wetherell, Founder and Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT Moderator: Mr. Goran Milić, journalist, Croatian Television

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

08.10 - 10.15	Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry: U.S-Croatian Experience (first part) Chairs: Slobodan Vukičević, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia and Douglas D. Lind, Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT
08.15 - 08.35	Ruđer Inovacije: Spin off Biotechnology Company in Croatia, Božidar Etlinger, Ruđer Inovacije, Zagreb (20 min)
08.40 - 09.00	Start-up biotechnology company: Advantage of U.S. experience, Slobodan Vukičević, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb (20 min)
09.05 - 09.35	Lentigen Corp. among 100 best U.S. biotechnology companies: Sharing business experience, Boro Dropulić, CEO, Lentigen Corp, Baltimore, MD (30 min)
09.40 - 10.00	Croatian Emerging Pharma Company: Opportunities and Challenges, Teo Rakočević, Director for Strategic Planning and Business Development, Jadran Galenski Laboratory, Rijeka (20 min)
10.05 - 10.50	Special lecture: Healthcare Venture Investing: Perspectives from the World of Technology, David S. Wetherell, Founder and Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT (45 min) Introduction: Boro Dropulić
11.00 - 11.15	Coffee Break
11.20 - 13.20	Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry: U.S-Croatian Experience (second part) Chairs: Danica Ramljak, CEO, Medora Global Consultants, LLC, McLean, VA and Biserka Furčić, COO, Veterina Animal Health, Ltd., Zagreb
11.20 - 11.50	Plenary Lecture: The Global Biotechnology Industry: Accelerating the Course of Innovation, Douglas D. Lind, Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT (30 min)
11.55 - 12.15	Potential for Development of Novel Veterinary Vaccines: Veterina Animal Healths Perspective, Biserka Furčić, COO, Veterina Animal Health, Ltd., Zagreb, Croatia (20 min)
12.20 - 12.40	Research and Patient Advocacy: Essential Partners for Development of Novel Therapies, Paula Kim, CEO, Translating Research Across Communities, Fallbrook, CA (20 min)
12.45 - 13.05	Challenges for development of novel therapies in oncology and chronic illness:. The model of Graft versus Host Disease, Steven Pavletić, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (20 min)
13.10 - 14.10	Lunch Break
14.10 - 14.45	Special Lecture: Barr Pharmaceuticals, U.S. and Croatia (TBA)
15.00 - 18.00	ICT Industry: The U.S. and Croatian Perspective Chairs: Gordana Kovačević, President of the Company, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Zagreb and Goran Radman, Chairman, Microsoft Southeast Europe, Brussels
15.00 - 15.30	Plenary Lecture: Croatian ICT industry status, challenges and opportunities, Goran Radman, Chairman-Microsoft South East Europe, Brussels (30 min)
15.35 - 15.50	Status of the ICT industry in South East Europe,  Ante Babić, CEO, Sigma Consulting, Zagreb (15 min)
15.55 - 16.10	Croatian ICT start up company: Challenges and Solutions, Zdenko Ćorić, CEO, Utilis, Zagreb (15 min)
16.15 - 16.30	U.S and Croatian scientific and business exchange: Important government and legal considerations, John Nahajzer, Maggio-Kattar, Law Firm, Washington, D.C. (15 min)
16.35 - 17.05	Round table: Croatian ICT, biotechnology and pharma companies and potential for collaboration with the U.S. companies Participants: Leo Begović, Assist. Minister, Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship, RH, Vesna Trnokop-Tanta, Vice Presidnet, Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Damir Vucić, AMCHAM, Zagreb Moderator: Danica Ramljak, CEO, Medora Global Consultants, LLC, McLean, VA
17.10 - 18.00	Round table: Bridging IT, Health and Pharmaceutical Industry Participants: Gordana Kovačević, President of the Company, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Zagreb, Leonardo Berezovsky, CEO, MedAssist, LA, CA, Croatian Government Representative (TBA), Ivan Vidaković, General Manager, IBM Croatia and Global Health Care Partners (TBA). Moderator: Neven Karlovac, Vice President, Larta Institute, Los Angeles, CA (50 min)
18.10	Sailing Trip to Island of Hvar and Dinner Reception on the Boat

Thursday, October 4, 2007

08.30 - 13.00	Intellectual property, Technology Transfer, Patenting and Licencing Chairs: Pero Munivrana, Director, Croatian Institute for Technology, Zagreb and Silvije Čipčić-Bragadin, Vice President at Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Zagreb
08.35 - 08.55	Business Innovation Center of Croatia: Current and Future Government Programs, Hrvoje Prpić, Director, Business Innovation Center of Croatia, Zagreb (20 min)
09.00 - 09.20	Government Strategy for the Implementation of Intellectual Property in Croatia, Goran Zeković, Department for Intellectual property, Croatian Institute of Technology, Zagreb (20 min)
09.25 - 09.55	Special lecture: Patenting in the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector: EPO perspective, Vesna Hassler, European Patent Office, Vienna, Austria (30 min)
10.00 - 10.20	New Financial instrument for Croatian S&T development: Unity through Knowledge Fund, Hrvoje Meštrić, Program Manager, Unity through Knowledge Fund, Zagreb (20 min)
10.25 - 10.45	Overview of the venture capital in Croatia: Current status and future, Silvije Čipčić-Bragadin, Vice President at Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Zagreb (20 min)
10.50 - 11.50	Round Table: Technology Transfer in Croatia (speakers TBA) Chairs: Hrvoje Prpić, Director, Business Innovation Center of Croatia, Zagreb
12.15 - 12.35	Conference Chairs Concluding Remarks

List of Speakers

1. Radovan Fuchs, Assist. Minister, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Republic of Croatia
2. Sandra Švaljek, Director of Economic Institute, Zagreb
3. Don Hudspeth, Dean of the American College of Management and Technology in Dubrovnik, Croatia
4. Ninoslav Ščukanec, Director, Institute for the Development of Education, Zagreb
5. Lee J. Helman, Scientific Director for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
6. Siniša Volarević, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka
7. Stipan Jonjić, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka 
8. Alemka Markotić, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb
9. Gray F. Handly, Associate Director for IRA, International Research Affairs, National Institutes of Health, NIAID, Bethesda, MD
10. Pero Lučin, President, Croatian National Science Foundation, Zagreb
11. Melita Kovačević, Vice Rector for Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb
12. Nada Čikeš, Dean, Medical School of Zagreb, Zagreb
13. Goran Matijašević, Research Development UC Industry-University Cooperative Research Program Fellow, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering - UC Irvine Technology Transfer Director, Irvine, CA
14. Mladen Vukmir, Vukimir and Associates, Zagreb
15. Neven Karlovac, Vice-President, Larta Institute, Los Angeles, CA
16. Joe Harford, Director, Office for International Affairs, NCI, Bethesda, MD 
17. David Wetherell, Founder and Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT
18. Božidar Etlinger, Ruđer Inovacije, Zagreb
19. Slobodan Vukičević, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb
20. Teo Rakočević, Director for Strategic Planning and Business Development, Jadran Galenski Laboratory, Rijeka
21. Danica Ramljak, CEO, Medora Global Consultants, LLC, McLean, VA
22. Douglas D. Lind, Managing Partner, GBP Capital, Greenwich, CT
23. Biserka Furčić, COO, Veterina Animal Health, Ltd., Zagreb
24. Paula Kim, CEO, Translating Research Across Communities, Fallbrook, CA
25. Steven Pavletić, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
26. Goran Radman, Chairman-Microsoft South East Europe, Brussels
27. Ante Babić, CEO, Sigma Consulting, Zagreb
28. Zdenko Ćorić, CEO, Utilis, Zagreb
29. John Nahajzer, Maggio-Kattar, Law Firm, Washington, D.C.
30. Goran Zeković, Department for Intellectual property, Croatian Institute of Technology, Zagreb
31. Timothy B. Sawyer, Senior Vice President and European Head of Commercial Development, Barr Pharmaceuticals, U.S. and Croatia
32. Gordana Kovačević, President of the Company, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Zagreb
33. Vesna Hassler, European Patent Office, Vienna, Austria
34. Boro Dropulić, CEO, Lentigen, Baltimore, MD
35. Silvije Čipčić-Bragadin, Vice President, Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Zagreb
36. Vesna Trnokop-Tanta, Vice President, Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Zagreb 
37. Leo Begović, Assist. Minister, Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship, RH
38. Leonardo Berezovsky, CEO, MedAssist, LA, CA
39. Pero Munivrana, Director, Croatian Institute for Technology, Zagreb
40. Ivan Vidaković, General Manager, IBM Croatia
41. Eduard Vrdoljak, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split
42. Jelena Filipović-Grčić, Vice-Dean, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb
43. Damir Vucić, Executive Director, AMCHAM in Zagreb, Croatia
44. Hrvoje Prpić, Director, Business Innovation Center of Croatia, Zagreb
45. Hrvoje Meštrić, Program Manager, Unity through Knowledge Fund, Zagreb