Israel Active

Israel’s PolyPid (see previously) reported positive Phase III trial results on its delayed-release antibiotic treatment applied at the site of surgical infections. The reduction in the risk of infection after surgery was 58% in the 800-patient trial.

Prof Liat Ayalon, of Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, is one of the United Nations’ Healthy Ageing 50: leaders transforming the world to be a better place to grow older. She has just been awarded a 2.5 million Euro grant from the European Research Council to advance her HALFLIFE project.  

A third of 97 “terminal” myeloma patients are still alive after five years thanks to Car-T cancer treatment, originally invented by Israeli scientists. These were the findings of an international study, including Israel’s Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center.

Israel’s MeMed (see previously) reached a major milestone of more than 100,000 patients tested with its MeMed BV, the company’s flagship technology that accurately distinguishes between bacterial and viral infections in just 15 minutes.

For decades, scientists believed that paracetamol relieved discomfort by working only in the brain and spinal cord. Now, Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists show that the AM404 active metabolite which it releases, shuts off sodium channels to stop pain signals while they are still at nerve endings.

Dozens of doctors, who were at a European medical conference, have boarded a merchant ship on a special rescue voyage back to Israel. Among them are doctors from Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Sheba Medical Center.

Israel’s Ben-Gurion University has partnered with the Sagol Network to launch the Sagol Medical School for International Health. Its 4-year MD program, open to all Israeli citizens, uses hi-tech, global health, and AI to train Israel’s medical leaders. Currently, some 160 students are enrolled in the school.

The Israeli-invented CAR-T cancer treatment is saving thousands of lives today. The patient’s own immune T-cells are extracted, increased and put back in the patient. Ben Gurion University researchers have extended T-cell longevity using different shaped surfaces for the growth medium.

Tel Aviv University researchers have advanced the 2015 research by Hebrew University scientists (see previously) and isolated the specific neutrophils that support cancer progression. It boosts the development of new therapies and adds a biomarker for early detection of the disease.

Israeli emergency medical NGO United Hatzalah has unveiled a groundbreaking mobile emergency clinic in Ofakim. The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art treatment beds, smart triage, and medical tech that doubles the capacity of a standard ambulance. It is staffed by doctors and paramedics.