Israel Active

A study by researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute shows intestinal microbes can have a direct effect on the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease).  Certain strains of gut microbes (or their secretions) slowed ALS-like diseases in the lab.

I reported previously on the Relivion headset device from Israel’s Neurolief that treats migraines using adaptive multi-channel brain neuromodulation technology. Relivion has just received the CE mark to allow it to be sold over the counter in the EU.

I reported previously when Muslim doctor Aziz Darawshe became director of the emergency department at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center. Now, Hadassah’s Dr. Shaden Salameh has become the first Arab woman to head-up an Israeli emergency room.

Six Israeli bio-techs pitched their therapies to investors at the Azrieli College of Engineering. Concenter (type-2 diabetes treatment), Omnysense (hi-tech thermometer), Omnix (antibiotic), Neurogenesis (neuron injections), Vaxil (anti-cancer vaccine) and Virucure (anti-cancer virus).

This latest “Weizmann in Focus” video summarizes the work of Professor Yardena Samuels, tuning treatment to an individual’s unique genomic profile. She also discovered the signposts to guide immunotherapy treatments and destroy 90% of the targeted melanoma cells.

I reported previously on two innovative Israeli medical procedures for pelvic prolapse. However, two devices from Israel’s ConTipi Medical are much simpler. Impressa was acquired by Kimberly Clark in 2013. ProVate has CE and now FDA approval.

I reported previously on Israel’s ProArc Medical and its ClearRing implant to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). ProArc has just received a $2.2 million grant from the Horizon 2020 program to commercialize the minimally invasive reshaping implant.

I reported previously on the Moses laser from Israel’s Lumenis that urologists were using to smash bladder stones. Its technology was the Silver Winner in the Operating Room Medical Device category of the 21st Annual Medical Design Excellence Awards.

I reported previously about the 5-mer peptide, developed by Professor David Naor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Its potential to treat inflammatory and brain diseases has now been recognized by donors and an Israeli biotech which has signed contracts for clinical trials.

I reported previously on the AI system devised at Israel’s Technion for identifying the right antibiotic and dose for curing an individual’s infection. Now, thanks to the KSM Institute of Israel’s Maccabi Health company, the system is getting much nearer to fruition.