Israel Active

Israeli startup Vensica Medical is developing the ‘VensiCare, a painless needle-free ultrasound catheter system to deliver treatments for overactive bladder, bladder cancer and interstitial cystitis.  Vensica has just raised $500,000 for R&D and completion of device design.

Israeli-based NRGene is the only company in the world to map the genome for bread, pasta and wild emmer wheat.  Now it is turning its attention to the human genome in order to help diagnose genetic disorders at an early stage and strive to personalize medications.

Researchers, led by Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Carmit Levy, have unraveled the metastatic mechanism of melanoma (how it spreads to other organs).  They have also crucially found chemical substances that can stop the process - promising news for future treatments.

A covert operation has ensured that Yehia (born with multiple heart defects) is the first Afghan to have been treated by Israel’s Save a Child’s Heart organization, joining over 4,000 children from over 50 other countries who have been saved by SACH.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and in the Netherlands have developed a breakthrough material that can be “morphed” into any shape.  The programmable metamaterial could be ideal for prostheses or wearable technology in which a close fit with the body is important.  

Israel’s POP Medical has obtained US FDA approval for the marketing of its medical device for treatment of pelvic floor prolapse. 20% of the women in the world suffer from this condition at any given moment, and 30% at some time in their lives.

Israeli startup VRPhysio matches virtual reality and physiotherapy to help patients exercise and speed up recovery.  The system includes a headset, a mobile app, weights and body sensors to monitor body movement and a set of virtual reality games that aim to make exercising more fun.

Hadasit, the Hadassah Medical Organization’s technology transfer company, and Israel’s BioLineRx are to develop a treatment BL-1210 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fatty liver disease.  It modulates the immune system to reduce scarring that leads to cirrhosis.  There is currently no FDA approved treatments.

Israeli biotech Pambio is developing a treatment that prevents bleeding and subsequent damage from brain hemorrhages.  No existing treatment exists.  Pambio has just received $7 million of funding.

Researchers at Israel’s Ben Gurion University are studying how to use male prawns in Africa to kill the parasitic worm that causes Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia).  The disease affects 200 million people worldwide, coming only second to Malaria in terms of the devastation it causes.