NEWS OF THE WEEK INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Malta conference aims to strengthen scientific ties in troubled region
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CIENTISTS FROM 12 MIDDLE
Eastern nations and the Palestinian Authority met from Nov. 4 to 10 for the second conference designed to forge relationships between scientists in the region. Organizers hope the meeting will draw the attention of national governments to the fact that improving regional scientific cooperation could aid economic development and promote political reconciliation. The five-day meeting, held on neutral ground in the Mediterranean island republic of Malta, was organized by the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the German Chemical Society, and the International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry. It built upon the progress made to overcome political and cultural boundaries during a similar meeting held in Malta two years ago. "We can't leave the peace process in the Middle East only to the politicians," commented Zafra M. Lerman of Columbia College Chicago. Spreading the message that everyone can work together "is the best thing we can do for the Middle East," she told C&EN. Lerman served as chair of the conference organizing committee and leads the ACS Committee on Scientific Freedom & Human Rights. "The unfettered and timely exchange of ideas, information, and research findings is absolutely critical for the advancement of science," ACS President-Elect E. Ann Nalley said during the opening ceremony. "Together, we can catalyze the scientific interactions that are essential to the progress and welfare of all people, no matter what WWW.CEN-0NLINE.ORG
language we speak or no matter what our ideologies are." Malta 2, as the conference was called, was headlined by six Nobel Laureates and other distinguished chemists who gave plenary lectures overfivedays. The key topics covered were environmental air and water quality, medicinal chemistry, nanotechnology, science education, and energy and solar cells. Workshops held in conjunction with the plenary sessions highlighted research by some of the 65 prominent Middle Eastern scientists attending the conference and provided a forum to discuss challenges and needs in the topical areas. A poster session held throughout the conference featured presentations by nearly 40 of the Middle Eastern scientists. By the close of the Malta 2 con-
MAKING CONNECTIONS Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann (seated, right, top photo) of Cornell University talks with scientists from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, ference, new action items had been Lebanon, and Qatar. identified for the topical areas, Nalley (left, bottom and working groups had been es- photo) learns from tablished to pursue international Boshra Awad of funding opportunities for projects Egypt about an online in some areas. The conference at- chemistry course mosphere was friendly and optimis- written in English tic, although many of the scientists and Arabic. remained concerned that progress might be limited until the overall political climate improves in the Middle East—STEVE RITTER
PHARMACEUTICALS
Serono Eyes Strategic Shake-Up
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wiss biotechnology company Serono, which is 62% owned by the founding Bertarelli family, says it has retained investment firm Goldman Sachs to "explore various strategic alternatives." Serono isn't commenting further, but such an announcement usually implies that a company has decided to put itself up for sale. Indeed, press reports say Serono has talked with at least four major pharmaceutical companies about being acquired, a deal that could be worth up to $15 billion. Industry observers point out, though, that Serono's move could indicate the opposite decision: that it is putting together an acquisition strategy of its own. Serono's multiple sclerosis treatment, Rebif, accounted for 54% of its sales in the first three quarters of 2005. That relatively limited product slate—and a limited pipeline of new drugs, particularly in late-stage clinical development-
may put off prospective buyers, some analysts conjecture. They suggest that Serono could instead embark on an acquisition-driven push to broaden its existing offerings or add new treatment areas. Serono's move comes just two weeks after the family-held German drug and chemical maker Altana hired Goldman Sachs for a similar exercise for its pharmaceutical operations. Altana is committed to spinning off its chemical operations through an initial public offering on the German stock exchange next year. However, the future is open with regard to the pharma division, says Altana CEO Nikolaus Schweickart. Pharmaceuticals, he says, wilt be strengthened through acquisitions. But "the pharmaceutical group's shareholder structure may undergo a change, because without such a change, a strategic alliance is hard to conceive," he says.-PATRICIA SHORT
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