Israel Active

20,000 babies were born at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem during 2013 – the highest number ever in any Israeli hospital and almost unsurpassed in the world. 2014 will see more delivery rooms, a huge neonatal intensive care unit and new obstetrics wards.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s OrthoSpace has developed the InSpace Balloon. It alleviates pain for patients recovering from massive injury to the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize and activate the shoulder. 2000 people in Europe and Israel have used the implant invented by Israeli orthopedic surgeon Dr. Assaf Dekel.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a computer algorithm that identifies genes involved in the aging process. The findings could lead to the development of medication that transforms cells from a diseased state into a healthy one.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) The US FDA has granted orphan designation for Teva’s TREANDA treatment for indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL). TREANDA is already used for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Israel’s B-Shoe has developed a “smart shoe” that stops wearers from falling if they lose their balance. A microprocessor and patented algorithms detect a stumble triggering the motion device to roll the shoe slightly and gently backwards until the person regains balance.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) In March I included the NoCamels article about the Dario glucose iPhone monitor from Israel’s LabStyle. In Sept the Dario received the European CE Mark and last week the world launch commenced in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

A new video showing how much easier life has become for patients with type-1 diabetes who are using the MD-Logic Artificial Pancreas. An international program based at the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petach Tikvah, Israel.

Israel’s Kadimastem is turning stem cells into beta cells that can produce insulin in the pancreas or nerve cells in the brain. Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist has just given Kadimastem an NIS 8.5 million grant to continue its research into both technologies.

Israeli biotech Ormed is developing oral medicines to treat conditions that normally require injections. Its flagship product, the ORMD-0801 insulin capsule for Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes has just successfully completed clinical trials. Ormed’s share price rose 115 percent on the news.

Israeli biotech Prolor reported positive pre-clinical trial results of its long-acting anti-obesity drug candidate oxyntomodulin.