Funding for 16 research projects on personalized medicine
The Israel Precision Medicine Partnership (IPMP – ), has granted another NIS 60 million to 16 projects researching into specific targeted personalized medicine that can treat ailments such as autism, cancers and trauma.
Personalized pregnancy care
Israel’s NUVO has partnered with Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital to develop an AI platform for accurate decision-making about pregnancy complications. NUVO has also just received US FDA approval for its INVU device (reported previously) to be used in monitoring maternal fetal heart rate.
A better medical trial experience
Israel’s Habitu develops a platform specifically targeting clinical trials and patient support programs in community-based healthcare. It provides flexible, continuous, emotional, professional and procedural support to patients, leading to more efficient trials and lower drop-out rates.
Heart stent gets Breakthrough status
Israel’s Endospan (reported previously) has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. FDA for its NEXUS Aortic Arch Stent Graft System. It already has the CE Mark of European approval.
Decoding the immune system
Israel’s Immunai is developing a technological platform that aims to map the entire immune system for better detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. It uses single cell genomics that could in the future unlock the secrets of infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
US Covid-19 vaccine progress
The Israeli Chief Medical Officer of US biotech Moderna reported that company’s mRNA-1273 Covid-19 vaccine successfully produced antibodies on 8 patients. Dr. Tal Zaks received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Ben Gurion University, joining Moderna in 2015.
Good progress of Pluristem trial
Seven of the eight critically ill coronavirus patients on ventilators, treated with PLX stem cells from Israel’s Pluristem, survived after 28 days. Only one of those still needed mechanical ventilation - the other five having been discharged from hospital. 10 further patients have now begun treatment.
US patent filed for 8 antibodies
The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) in Ness Ziona has just completed the patent application process for eight new coronavirus antibodies (reported previously).
Teva donates medicines for US Covid-19 study
Israel’s Teva is donating the medicines for a US study into the effectiveness of a potential combination coronavirus treatment. The study will evaluate whether combining the antibiotic azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine can prevent hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19.
Bone-grafting cells may treat coronavirus symptoms
While developing its unique treatment for growing human bone grafts, Israel’s Bonus BioGroup discovered MesenCure - a new pneumonia treatment that could help coronavirus patients. A study on animals was successful; human trials are planned.