Israel Active

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.

Israeli biotech BiondVax has announced that its M-001 vaccine has been validated against all H7 virus strains, thus protecting against all avian (bird) flu variations.

In the last decade, mortality rates have plummeted, especially for cancer, strokes, respiratory disease and diabetes. Life is more healthy here than in the USA and Europe.

Nazareth based Alpha Omega has won the American-Israeli Chamber of Commerce’s Eagle Star Award for its medical device to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. The sophisticated microelectrode technology allows doctors to stimulate and record the brain’s natural electrical impulses.

Formal US and European clearances have been granted to FLXfit, the world's first 3D expandable interbody cage, developed by Israel’s Expanding Orthopedics. The minimally invasive implant corrects spine deformities.

Israeli startup Convergent RNR has developed MercyBeam, to improve radiation therapy for patients. A patented lens collects most of the X-rays from any standard X-ray generator and focuses them at the tumor. It increases the therapeutic dose where it’s needed and not at surrounding tissue.

Researchers at Soroka University Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University have developed a simple way to identify clotting problems early in pregnant women. The team used a point system to determine a baseline to diagnose clotting disorders.

(Thanks to Michael H) Israeli researchers have discovered that consuming whey protein before a regular breakfast reduces blood sugar spikes after meals and also improves the body's insulin response. Thus whey protein could help diabetics control blood sugar.