Does your DNA define you?
Israel’s OMGene is developing an AI decision-support system based on personal genetic information. It links the genome to a database of health, psychological, and social characteristics, from thousands of individuals and generates recommendations e.g., on sleeping, relationships, hobbies, health etc.
Predicting the next accident
The AI accident prediction system (see previously) built by the IDF for Israel’s United Hatzalah, really works. It sent a team to the Azrieli Mall in Ramat Gan just as someone began suffering a heart attack. With 14% of UH’s volunteers on IDF reserve duty, the system is literally a life-saver.
Restoring the lives of wounded IDF soldiers
This article describes the life-saving work of the charity Belev Echad (see previously). It facilitates the recovery of wounded men and women of the IDF through physical, medical, legal, emotional and financial support. And sometimes it requires a miracle.
Clowns relieve the ultimate pain
This article features medical clowns alleviating both physical and mental suffering - for children and adults. (Aside, I went to see a friend in hospital recently who was visited by clowns while he was on a video call to his work office. “You’re at the circus!” his colleagues exclaimed.)
Natural antibiotic is safe
Israel’s Omnix Medical (see previously) has completed Phase 1 trials of its lead antimicrobial, nature-derived, peptide OMN6 on 80 patients to show its safety. It is now starting Phase 2 FDA-approved clinical trials to establish its efficacy, especially on superbugs.
Positive proof of concept for arthritis treatment
Israel’s Raphael announced positive proof-of-concept clinical study results of its HPC1 non-psychoactive cannabinoid-based formula developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. 12 adult participants reported lower pain levels and better sleep quality.
European approval for stroke therapy
Israel’s Brain.Q (see previously) has received the CE-Mark for its BQ 2.0 system, designed to reduce disability following ischemic stroke, the number one cause of disability worldwide. Brain.Q is also enrolling in the EMAGINE II pivotal study to seek US-FDA clearance.
Fast track for blocked blood vessel treatment
The US FDA has granted Fast Track Designation to Israel’s BioGenCell (see previously) for the development of BGC101 – its lead candidate for treating severe Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI).
Innovation in Cardiovascular Interventions
Israel recently held the 2024 conference on innovation in interventional cardiology (ICI) for the 29th year in Tel Aviv. Levron Medical won the $200,000 Jon de Haan Innovation award for its Cardio-Respiratory Physiological Assist (CRPA) Treatment..
Revolutionizing healthcare in the South
The new Mor Institute's Be'er Sheva branch allows residents to get cancer screening, low-radiation CT scans, virtual colonoscopies, eye care services such as retina consultations and OCT exams, cardiac tests like Holter monitoring and vascular ultrasounds, bone density tests, and more.