Israel Active

An interview on ILTV Daily with Dr Alan Schwebel, President and CEO of Israel’s BioView, which I reported on previously . Dr Schwebel describes Bioview’s scanning system for early detection of cancer cells and identification of the most appropriate treatment.

Mobile app “Belong” was developed by Israeli entrepreneurs who had lost family members to cancer.  The app (iOS or Android) allows patients to share vital information whilst reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety. It also provides tips, questions for doctors, and info on medical procedures.

In laboratory tests, researchers at Tel Aviv University and MIT have used gene therapy to prevent metastasis - the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body. 80% of women with metastatic cancer die from the disease within five years of being diagnosed.

The UN has prioritized fighting antibiotic resistance. Meanwhile, the European Commission has granted 2.3 million Euros to Israeli biotech MeMed to help develop its fast blood test that distinguishes between bacterial and viral infections – and thus significantly reduces the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

MotionCure from Israel’s Sidis Labs can provide relief from motion sickness within minutes.  MotionCure’s combination of a neck collar and a travel pillow transmits customized pulses to the median nerve at the back of neck. These counter negative signals from the brain that upset the stomach.

The first patient with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has received a transplant of CordIn from Israeli biotech Gamida Cell.  CordIn is an alternative for patients awaiting a suitable match for bone marrow transplants.  Trials of CordIn are planned for patients with aplastic anemia.

Quark is a US company with its R&D in Israel.  The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Quark a key patent for its ocular neuro-protectant QPI-1007, covering the treatment of patients suffering from non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Israel’s Check-cap, developer of the world’s first ingestible colon X-ray capsule, has announced three key news items.  It is partnering with GE Healthcare to develop high-volume manufacturing. It also received $1.2 million from the Israeli government and $5.9 million from private sources.

Israel’s Teva has launched in the US the generic equivalent to Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) for the treatment of leukemia and other cancer-related diseases. Also, Europe has approved Teva’s CINQAERO (reslizumab) – the first intravenous anti-IL-5 biologic therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma.

Israel’s InSeal Medical has received CE Mark approval for its InClosure VCD (Vascular Closure Device), designed to close large bore arterial punctures. These could be emergencies such as abdominal aortic aneurysms or in procedures such as heart valve replacements.