Israel Active

Two Israeli news media sites have just announced that, for the first time, an artificial cornea from Israel’s EndoArt was transplanted into a patient. The operation was performed at Israel’s Kaplan Medical Center.  But (see previously) Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center did the first one in 2022!

Israel’s Council for Higher Education has approved setting up a three-year pre-clinical medical school in Eilat. It aims to boost medical services and raise life expectancy in the area.

Hopefully, this will never be needed. The Helmsley Charitable Trust has donated $10 million to build an underground emergency hospital at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's (Ichilov) new Alrov Rehabilitation Tower. On level -5 it will have 250 beds, with plans for 150 more.

An Israeli-developed Pediatric AI Navigation and Decision Assistant (PANDA) has begun trials at Israel’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center. It answers clinical questions from the hospital’s knowledge base, so doctors can give children the most accurate treatment.

I24 broadcast its first “INNOV'NATION” program (Tues 9pm IST). It featured several interesting biotech companies. E.g., AION Labs (see previously) which now has nine startups in its portfolio. These include Cassidy Bio which is developing the first AI platform for faster, safer, gene editing.

Israel’s Techsomed (see previously) has received US FDA approval for its BioTraceIO360 software platform to be used to burn or freeze kidney tumors. The device was previously approved only for destroying liver tumors.

Israel’s PatenSee (see previously) has received US FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its non-contact vascular access (VA) management technology designed for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Its imaging & AI warns of fistula deterioration.

Following 4 major US trials, the ES device from Israel’s Pulsenmore (see previously) has received US-FDA approval. It allows pregnant US women to carry out ultrasound fetal monitoring at home and will expand access to prenatal care in areas facing physician shortages.

Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), combined with an automated computational tool, to quickly analyze how topical medications, from antifungal creams to anti-aging serums, navigate and absorb the layers of the skin.

Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed biomimetic hydrogel bio-adhesives that can seal wounds quickly and effectively even under extreme conditions and environments. The scientists were inspired by how mollusks / molluscs adhere to wet surfaces.