EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: ISRAEL INSTITUTE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002064 SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/SWADDY/DJOHNSON USDOC FOR 3131 CS/OIO/ANESA/BORR/GLITMAN ROME FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE STATE FOR EB/ESP US CUSTOMS HQ FOR STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS E.O. 129585: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETTC IS ETRD ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS HUMANITARIAN AID SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: ISRAEL INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL RSC DEPT OF PHARMACOLOGY (D355002) REF: USDOC 01502 DATED 03/30/2006 AND E-MAIL DATED 06/09/05 FROM WILLIAM FANJOY/HQ/USFCS/USDOC. ¶1. On May 24, 2006 Commercial Officer John Coronado and Commercial Specialist Yael Torres conducted a Pre-License Check at the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) located at: 24 Reuven Street, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel. Named institute is listed in BIS application D355002 as the end-user for 0.5 milligram Cholera toxin, a subunit from Vibrio, controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Industry & Security for chemical or biological warfare reasons. ¶2. Coronado and Torres met with Dr. Zvi Teitelbaum, Head of the IIBR Medicinal Chemistry Research Division and Dr. (Mrs.) Adina Amir, one of the scientists/investigators on the corneal epithelial cells research that involves the use of listed controlled substance. Contact information for this office is tel: (972-8) 938-16918 and (972-8) 938-1504, fax: (972-8) 940-7686, emails: tzvi@iibr.gov.il and amir@iibr.gov.il. Ministry of Defense representative Mr. Ilan Mesushan escorted Coronado and Torres to the IIBR premises and attended the meeting. Mr. Shlomo Shapira, Head of Pharmacology and Mrs. Shlomit from the IIBR research team also attended the meeting. The head of IIBR security was also present at all times during this meeting. ¶3. Dr. Teitelbaum and Dr. Amir provided an overview of the Institute. The Israel Institute for Biological Research is a governmental, applied research institute specializing in the fields of biology, medicinal chemistry and environmental sciences, under the jurisdiction of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. It is located approximately 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. The staff is comprised of 350 employees, including 150 scientists and 160 technicians. The institute is located within a high-security compound, surrounded by an electronic fence and guarded 24 hours by armed guards and a CCTV system. The entrance to the compound is restricted and visitors must be accompanied at all times. ¶4. Throughout its history, stories have circulated about the IIBR's alleged research and activities in the areas of chemical and biological warfare projects. ¶5. The IIBR works closely with Israel's Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. International authorities and institutions including the U.S. Public Health Services, Center for Disease Control, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, the World Health Organization, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, National Foundation of Cancer Research and the German Ministry for Scientific Research and Technology sponsor some of IIBR's research projects. In addition, IIBR is regularly contracted by international and domestic companies to undertake R&D projects. ¶6. Following the overview, Coronado and Torres visited the research area located in a separate building. Entry to this building is limited to staff with appropriate access cards. IIBR commented that the handling and storage protocols for the material listed in BIS application D355002 would follow ISO 9002 standards, and that refrigeration, if necessary, would be in a locked refrigeration unit. Final handling and storage protocols may be modified, based on specifications from the exporter. ¶7. Dr. Amir provided Embassy officials with a copy of the end-user statement and the order for 500 micrograms, from Sigma catalog # C8180, dated February 20, 2006. The order was addressed to the local distributor, Sigma Israel Chemical Company. The end-user statement detailed that the cholera toxin will be used as one of the supplements needed to grow primary corneal epithelial cells in-vitro, citing common practice for this type of research. ¶8. The meeting lasted 1.5 hr and took place approximately one month after Post initiated its first call. Post initiated contact with the Institute upon receipt of the PLC request, but was informed that the principal investigators were not available until the end of May. As such, IIBR requested the May 24, 2006 visit. ¶9. RECOMMENDATION: All indications are that IIBR is engaged in research in the fields of national health and security concerns, as well as legitimate commercial activities. Post believes that the requested substance listed in BIS application D355002 is for purely scientific/medical research and that the Israel Institute of Biological Research will comply with the conditions of the license. ¶9. Post considers this PLC to be complete, unless BIS requests further action. Post contact is Commercial Officer John Coronado email: John.Coronado@mail.doc.gov or telephone (972-3) 519-7471. Cretz