Israel Active

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Kadimastem is to work with giant Merck to conduct screening for new treatments into Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. Kadimastem’s revolutionary technology uses stem cells to produce cells that protect or repair brain function.

Dr. Svetlana Bunimovich of Ariel University has developed mathematical models to improve the treatment of bladder cancer. She was inspired to study the issue when her mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Soldiers wounded in Operation Protective Edge are benefiting from a brand-new Israeli technology to close open wounds quickly. TopClosure acts like a medical zip to protect wounds immediately when they are inflicted, allowing them to be fully treated later.

Electronic Medical Records transformed Israel’s health system and convinced the USA to implement them. Sensing technology is the next big advance. Jerusalem’s symposium “Connected Health and Vulnerable Populations” showed how Israel is a prototype for global better health.

ALS sufferers live longer in Israel.  In global terms, between 5 and 10 percent of ALS sufferers survive more than 10 years after being diagnosed. But in Israel, 20 percent of ALS patients survive longer.  The high survival rate is thought to be due to family support systems, the Israeli health care system and early diagnosis.  (link expired) (link should work)  

Israel’s BrainStorm, together with Canadian company Octane Biotech, has built a bioreactor for commercial production of the stem cells used as a basis for the company's treatment for ALCS. The ability to multiply stem cells is critical for the treatment's success.

Virologist Dr. Leslie Lobel from Ben Gurion University is developing a vaccine to defeat the Ebola virus by studying the immune systems of the disease’s survivors. He has spent 12 years studying the disease in Uganda.

Normally, foreign investors acquire Israeli biotechs that develop cancer treatments. But here, Israel’s Redhill Biopharma has bought pancreatic cancer treatment RP101 from Germany’s RESprotect GmbH. RP101 has passed Phase II trials and has vital orphan status.

Israel’s MMATech Ltd develops components for total hip implants, made of a revolutionary Polyimide material, MP1 developed originally for the aerospace industry. They are self-lubricating, durable, and have a long lifespan. MMATech is raising funds for FDA approval.

Israeli start-up Oxitone literally keeps a “watch” on blood-oxygen levels affecting the heart. Two optical lasers are built into an oximeter that sits on the wrist. GE Healthcare chose Oxitone from 400 companies and is the only foreign company to join GE’s entrepreneur program.