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Bertold Fridlender, Ph.D., President and CEO, formerly the CEO of Biotech M.A.H. and the Plant Genomic Fund of Israel, received his Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA (1971). After research and academic work in the U.S., Chile, Argentina and Israel, Dr. Fridlender moved into industry in 1977 when he joined Ames-Yissum Ltd., a company co-owned by Miles Laboratories Inc. and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This company specialized in medical diagnostic kits. After managing the R & D department, Dr. Fridlender became Technical Director, where he had responsibility for evaluating and structuring all new product opportunities. In 1982, he became the Scientific and Operations Director of International Genetic Sciences Partnership, a company partially owned by First Mississippi Corporation. This led to his being promoted to General Manager and then Managing Director of Biotechnological Applications, Ltd., another company in which First Mississippi Corporation had an ownership interest. Biotechnological Applications Ltd. focused on ag-biotechnology, especially the development of biopesticides. When this company was bought by Ecogen Inc. in 1991, Dr. Fridlender remained as Managing Director and joined the Operating Committee of Ecogen, Inc. in 1992. Ecogen was a publicly traded company that discovered and manufactured biopesticides. In 1994, Dr. Fridlender became President and Director of Ecogen Biotechnologies Israel, an Ecogen subsidiary established to manufacture new products, particularly biopesticides, developed by Ecogen. Dr. Fridlender moved to Italy in 1996 to be Managing Director of Bio Integrated Technology S.r.l. This company was involved in the development and marketing of bioinsecticides for the European markets. Dr. Fridlender had all operational responsibilities of the Company, including setting its business strategy and managing its growth. He was also an active member of the Board of Directors of Bio Integrated Technology. He then returned to Israel in 1999 to be CEO of the newly formed Biotech M.A.H. His career path has given Dr. Fridlender experience in managing small but growing businesses, in assessing the value and viability of businesses, in negotiating new product arrangements and in maximizing the benefits from partnerships. Dr. Fridlender was responsible for the Biotech M.A.H. investment in Phytomedics and held a Board seat prior to moving to the States and joining the Company in late 2000. | 