Israel Active

I reported previously of Gilead’s $11.9 billion buyout of Kite - a biotech founded by Israel’s Professor Arie Belldegrun. Kite’s CAR-T technology cures non-Hodgkin lymphoma that kills 7,000 patients annually in the US alone. Prof Belldegrun gave his first interview since the deal.

Hebrew University researchers are working on preventing the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They are analyzing the concentrations of antibiotics and their timescales for destroying bacteria, to optimize treatment regimens and avoid the under / over-treatment of infections.

I reported previously on the “Digital Diabetes Clinic” developed by Israel’s GlucoMe. Yiftah Ben Aharon, CEO and co-founder of GlucoMe explains in an interview how GlucoMe helps the diabetic’s doctor make efficient use of the limited time available to review the patient’s condition.

Readers will remember when the BBC finally recognized Israel’s Weizmann Institute Tookad prostate cancer treatment. Israel’s Steba Biotech has now been given approval to market Tookad in Europe.  The treatment is already approved for use in Israel and Mexico.

The BBC World Service’s “The Thought Show” featured the study by Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists of declining male fertility.  The BBC praised the study method and allowed lead study author Dr. Hagai Levine to advise listeners on how to improve their lifestyles.

After colon surgery, there is a 22% risk of intestinal leakage. Israel’s Colospan has developed the CG-100 - a clinical sleeve to protect the inside of the colon. Colospan has received CE approval and has just raised $7.7 million to launch in Europe and fund trials to obtain US FDA approval.

Israel’s ElastiMed develops a leg compression device for daily wear that mimics natural muscle contraction and stimulates blood flow using electrical pulses. The device treats swelling, blood clots, chronic wounds and sports injuries. ElastiMed has just raised $1 million to help fund clinical studies and regulatory filings.

I reported previously on Israel’s Vensica and its innovative method of using ultrasound to increase the porosity of skin tissue and allow treatments to be given without the use of needles. Vensica has just raised $2 million of funds to enable it to begin human trials by end 2018.

Israel’s Magenta Medical has developed a catheter for patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), where the heart is too weak to pump enough blood throughout the body. Magenta has just raised $15 million of funds.

Israel’s CathWorks has developed innovative non-invasive systems and algorithms to construct 3D images of the coronary tree to help surgeons perform heart catheterizations. The systems use standard angiograms and no additional wires. CathWorks has just raised $15.8 million of funding.