Israel Active

Following on from good Phase 2 trials Israel’s Sol-Gel reported excellent results from pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of its Twyneo treatment of patients with acne vulgaris. The trial significantly reduced moderate-to-severe acne in 858 patients aged nine and older.

Israeli-founded Emendo Biotherapeutics, based in New York, utilizes protein engineering for precision gene editing, to treat certain genetic disorders and diseases. It has seven treatments in early stages of development. Emendo has just raised $61 million of funding.

Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University and Weizmann Institute have discovered how shrimp can see in the murky depths of the sea. The biocrystal coating of their retina light detectors may inspire the development of new optical coatings and specialized paints.

As reported previously , Israel’s Nanox has developed technology to lower the cost of X-ray imaging and make it more accessible to the developing world. Nanox has just received $26 million funding for its Nanox.Arc digital X-ray device and accompanying Nanox.Cloud software.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Motti Chevion has developed Zygosid-50, the first treatment to restore near-normal cellular sensitivity to insulin, without side effects. Israel’s Concenter BioPharma is preparing to trial Zygosid-50 and give new hope to Type 2 diabetics.

The wearable wristband from Israel’s CardiaCare treats atrial fibrillation (rapid and irregular heartbeats). It combines advanced sensors, AI algorithms and neuromodulation stimulus to restore heart rate and rhythm. CardiaCare won 2019 Innovation in Cardiovascular Interventions Technology.

Several Israeli companies have AI technology to detect health issues by monitoring the voice of the patient. Now, two of them (Beyond Verbal and Healthymize) have merged to form Vocalis Health. Its initial focus is on cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Israel is building a new medical center in Sha’ar Binyamin, Samaria, about 15 minutes from Jerusalem. It will serve the 150,000 residents of Binyamin, Israel’s largest region, where a new medical school opened in Ariel recently. The hospital will save many lives, as the video explains.

Israel’s Health Ministry has approved a 3-year pilot program for early detection of lung cancer. Those at high-risk of lung cancer (age 55 – 75, heavy smokers and ex-smokers) will receive low-intensity CT scans. It could save many of Israel’s 1,800 lung cancer deaths each year.

Israel’s Ibex Medical has deployed its Second Read cancer diagnostic system at Israel’s Maccabi  Health company. It is the first Artificial Intelligence-powered lab for diagnosis of breast cancer biopsies.