Israel Active

A total of 68,500 units of blood - 25 percent of the total donated to Magen David Adom last year - were given by soldiers. Whilst handing out certificates, MDA blood services director Eilat Shinar said “You officers and soldiers are an example for pure and significant giving”.

The US FDA has approved the next generation Exablate system from Israel’s InSightec to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Exablate uses focused ultrasound plus MRI, which is used to guide the ultrasound waves to the specific target tissue. Also (TY ) a video of Israeli doctors using InSightec’s Exablate Neuro ultrasound to cure Essential Tremor.  

Israel’s BioSight has developed the amino acid astrabine which acts as a “Trojan Horse” chemotherapy treatment that kills leukemia cells without harming healthy tissue. Astrabine closely resembles a protein called aspargine that leukemia cells depend on and the cancer cells are fooled into self-destruction.

Israel’s BioBlast announced promising interim results from its Phase II study of its Cabaletta treatment for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Due to the success BioBlast seeks to fast track a Phase III study in 2016, leading to a 2017 launch date.  

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that abnormalities in the immune (“microglia”) cells of the brain could be a key cause of depression. The theory opens the door to development of a new generation of anti-depressant medications.  

Ohio USA’s Cleveland Clinic and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are to develop a virtual global center that will harness the power of nanoscience and nanotechnology to deliver therapies for cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and cancer.  

Texas surgeon Dr. Nancy Marquez describes using Israel’s MarginProbe to ensure that all cancerous cells have been removed during surgery to remove tumors.  

Ben-Gurion University’s Negev Center for Digital Innovation is partnering AllScripts Healthcare of the US to create the CDI-Allscripts Lab. The lab aims to become Israel’s center for developing apps for electronic health records, networking, information-sharing, and compliance.  

Israel’s MobileODT, which uses mobile phones to detect cancer and other diseases, is the winner of the 2015 MedTech Innovator competition in San Diego. The Israeli startup beat 300 international med-tech startups to win $200,000. Israel’s MedAware was also a runner-up.  

Analysis of 4000 users of Israel’s Hello Heart iPhone, Apple Watch and Android phone app reveals that, after six weeks use, 25% had reduced their blood pressure by 10 points or more, with an average drop of 24 points.