Three takeaways from Day Six of Gov. Phil Murphy’s nine-day trade mission trip to Germany and Israel. Sunday, the governor was in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
- New Jersey may land more Israeli startups when they want to come to U.S.
Murphy signed an agreement with the Israel Innovation Authority, making New Jersey the 10th such state to do so. The agreement puts New Jersey on a list of recipients for investment by the authority for companies which are ready to grow in the U.S. market.
This makes the IIA a sort of brand ambassador for the state, when it finds a company that is an ideal fit for the state, New Jersey officials said.
- Teva picked New Jersey over Massachusetts
At a roundtable discussion with life sciences companies Sunday at the headquarters of Teva Pharmaceuticals near Tel Aviv, Brendan O’Grady, executive vice president of North America at Teva, said the company had contemplated Massachusetts for its U.S. headquarters, but chose New Jersey for its historical reputation in the life sciences sector and for its value.
Murphy said New Jersey is using a new strategy to win companies such as Teva. He said the strategy comes straight out of the playbook used by Massachusetts, as it will focus on greater research collaboration with academic research institutions.
- Murphy coming home one day early due to death in the family
Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, will be returning from their nine-day trade mission trip to Germany and Israel a day early due to the passing of the first lady’s father, Edward Brown Snyder. The Murphys will return home Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday, as originally planned.
In a joint statement Saturday, the Murphys said Snyder would have wanted them to finish their trip before returning. “As a proud member of the Jewish faith, his final ask of us was to continue our trip to Israel. Ever the mensch, he left specific instructions for services to wait until our return. With heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, we will dedicate our presence in this holy land to his memory.”
