Israel Active

Weizmann Institute graduate Leemor Joshua-Tor describes her research which includes the discovery of a protein that can destroy defective genes in the RNA that are responsible for viruses and diseases such as macular degeneration and cancer.

Israel’s Entera Bio has obtained orphan status from the US FDA for its oral treatment for hypoparathyroidism (decreased function of the parathyroid glands). The condition results in muscle cramping, twitching, or involuntary contraction, and several other symptoms.

Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center now offers radiowave treatment instead of surgery to eliminate abnormal cells and prevent the development of cancer in patients suffering from Barrett esophagus. Instead of 10 days’ hospitalization, patients go home the same day.

There is hope for many of the 5 million sufferers of colitis thanks to scientists at Israel’s Bar Ilan University. They have identified that the gene tmf1 controls the production of beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut, which stop colitis developing.

Israeli biotech Bonus Biogroup, which has developed a method for producing bone grafts from stem cells, has begun a clinical trial of jawbone grafts. The trial's interim results are due in four months.

Israel’s Syneron has obtained FDA approval for its non-invasive UltraShape System for fat cell destruction. Pulsed focused ultrasound energy targets subcutaneous fat, while keeping the surrounding tissue intact. The system is already sold in Europe, Canada and Asia Pacific countries.

Surgeons at Poland’s John Paul II hospital were impressed with the first use of Israel’s Gardia WIRON devices. The devices place filters into the arteries prior to stent insertions, which then protect patients against dangerous blood clots and emboli that develop during these vital operations.

Cardiologist Prof. Ilan Goldenberg from Israel’s Sheba Medical Center led an international study into cardiac insufficiency - also known as heart failure. It reported that an automatic cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator implanted at an early stage of common heart failure could extend life significantly.

Israel’s Amorphical has successfully completed a clinical trial of its amorphous calcium. The trial found that the patients' absorption of amorphous calcium was double the average absorption of crystalline calcium. Amorphical aims to develop a product as a nutritional supplement.

Israel’s Itamar Medical has signed an exclusive marketing agreement with Medtronic Corporation to market the company's sleep apnea diagnostic product to a select segment of the US market - patients with atrial fibrillation..