Insulating the brain from nerve damage

Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that reducing the protein Tfii-i enhances the production of myelin - a essential for nerve communication and brain function. It could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Positive results in Crohn’s treatment trial

Israel’s Amorphical (see previously) announced positive interim results from its ongoing open-label clinical trial evaluating its amorphous calcium carbonate therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.

Hypnosis simulates gastric bypass

The UK Daily Mail has reported about Hadassah hospital’s program of hypnosis to convince obese patients that they have had gastric bypass surgery. Patients no long have cravings for food and their body weight has been reduced by more than 10 percent.

Biotech research center

Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center have established the $120 million Health Tech Valley biotech research institute. It will enable research into cancer, 3D organ printing, medical devices, sensors, robotics, AI medical data, personalized medicine, genetic engineering, and more.

Happy patients

Netanya’s Laniado Medical Center topped the Israeli Health Ministry’s National Patient Experience Survey. Even during the height of the war, 88% of Laniado’s patients were satisfied with their treatment. Every one of Israel’s 24 hospitals surveyed scored over 70%, with the average being 82%.

Eye-opening

Two Israeli news media sites have just announced that, for the first time, an artificial cornea from Israel’s EndoArt was transplanted into a patient. The operation was performed at Israel’s Kaplan Medical Center.  But (see previously) Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center did the first one in 2022!

New Eilat medical school approved

Israel’s Council for Higher Education has approved setting up a three-year pre-clinical medical school in Eilat. It aims to boost medical services and raise life expectancy in the area.

Underground emergency medical unit

Hopefully, this will never be needed. The Helmsley Charitable Trust has donated $10 million to build an underground emergency hospital at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's (Ichilov) new Alrov Rehabilitation Tower. On level -5 it will have 250 beds, with plans for 150 more.

AI decision support at children’s hospital

An Israeli-developed Pediatric AI Navigation and Decision Assistant (PANDA) has begun trials at Israel’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center. It answers clinical questions from the hospital’s knowledge base, so doctors can give children the most accurate treatment.

AION Labs biotech startups

I24 broadcast its first “INNOV'NATION” program (Tues 9pm IST). It featured several interesting biotech companies. E.g., AION Labs (see previously) which now has nine startups in its portfolio. These include Cassidy Bio which is developing the first AI platform for faster, safer, gene editing.