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Business Plan Evaluation. BIOSIGNAL Pty Ltd. Tove Ringbom Lotta Ekman. Biofilms are colonies of living micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, and/or protozoa) growing on any surface (e.g. metals, plastics, tissue, soil particles, teeth, and so forth). What is a biofilm?.
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Business Plan Evaluation BIOSIGNAL Pty Ltd Tove Ringbom Lotta Ekman
Biofilms are colonies of living micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, and/or protozoa) growing on any surface (e.g. metals, plastics, tissue, soil particles, teeth, and so forth) What is a biofilm?
How are biofilms formed? http://www.crca.asn.au/activities/2002/conference/Plenary2/Jasjit/Biofilm_Jasjit.swf
cause dental cavities, gum disease, as well as ear-, heart- and lung infections Biofilms also form on contact lenses and on intrauterine birth control devises Biofilms on the inner surfaces of medical equipment (catheters) hospital infections Biofilm infections
The seaweed (Delisea pulchra) remains slime-free due to the production of furanones Biosignal has patented synthetic analogs of these furanones Furanones prevent bacteria from attaching to surfaces no biofilm formation The Innovation
http://www.crca.asn.au/activities/2002/conference/Plenary2/Jasjit/PreventionJasjit.swfhttp://www.crca.asn.au/activities/2002/conference/Plenary2/Jasjit/PreventionJasjit.swf
Business Opportunity • By attaching furanones to polymers, biofilm formation could be prevented in • 1) marine and agriculture usages • 2) bound to polymer coatings • 3) in implantable medical devices such as catheters
Evaluating the Business Plan • Plan dated December 6th 2000 • Clear purpose stated • $5.3 million to expand R&D • to hire an experienced chief executive officer • raise money in order to register its patented compounds with the EPA and FDA
Management • Biosignal lacks a CEO at the moment • Demanding requirements • An experienced polymer chemist must be hired • Professors Kjellberg & Steinberg possess scientific experience in the field of marine biology and microbiology • GM Rohan McDougall
Market Assessment • Biosignal found six different areas of interest:- Household cleaners - Oral care - Contact lens solutions - Anti-foulant in marine paint - Commercial farming applications - Biomaterials
Risks • Biosignals technology may fail to deliver on its early promises • The safety risks to patients and to the environment are not known at this point
Segment for first market entry • Catheter market • The medical grade polymers demonstrate the greatest revenue opportunity of the six different options • The catheter market is growing rapidly, as is the total biomaterials market • Reason for choosing the segment: the disposable catheter is a relatively simple device • ambition is to move to more technologically advanced medical devices at a later stage
Competitor Information • 156 companies operate on the global catheter market today • Several multinational polymer giants operate in this field • PROBLEM: big organizations such as hospitals generally make group purchases and catheters are often priced as a part of a bundle of products
Collaborations • Biosignal gets office space and lab space support from UNSW and the two Research Directors are employed part time by UNSW • A cooperation project to manufacture Biosignal’s product with an “American specialty chemical manufacturer” • Multinational partners are key success factors for this venture
Financials • Biosignal has established connections to a few companies • Estimated personnel expenses may not be big enough • R&D expenses ought to rise as time goes by - Biosignal is aware
Our conclusion • Start with any of the applications that are outside the human body to get cash flow • The biomaterials market is very tricky • Get experience in manufacturing, sales and running a business before entering the markets that require FDA approval