Israel Active

The USA’s annual TedMed conference is normally an American-only event, where doctors can relax and discuss matters that really concern them. This year, Israel will be the first country outside of the US to be officially represented. And on the final day, a satellite TedMed event will be held in Israel.

(Thanks to NoCamels) Israeli herbs have generated special chemical compounds to deal with the extremes of the climate. Israel’s Nufar Natural Products is developing these plants to treat problematic wounds, assist in treating fungal and other skin infections and fight parasites.

Researchers at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center have found mutations in the LRRC6 gene cause primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Symptoms are repeated lung infections, sinusitis, frequent ear infections and fertility problems. Early diagnosis may reduce the damage. And in half these cases, the heart grows on the right of the chest instead of the left. The liver, stomach and spleen are also transposed.

In January I mentioned Apocell from Israeli biotech Enlivex, which prevents GVHD rejection of bone marrow transplants. Now, the treatment has received US FDA “orphan” status due to its importance and lack of alternatives for treating the unwanted autoimmune response.

Hebrew University researchers have discovered the mechanisms that the body uses to shut down the immune system. The process can be beneficial in preventing chronic inflammation, but very dangerous in patients with cancer and HIV. This knowledge can help develop better therapeutic strategies.

For the 3rd year running, an Israeli has won the L’Oréal-UNESCO “Women in Science” prize. Osnat Zomer-Penn received the European award for determining the genetic basis of autism. Israelis Hadar Gelber-Sagiv won in 2012, and Na’ama Geva Zatursky in 2011.

There were two positive results from the latest trials by Israel’s largest biotech. Patients who started Teva’s Laquinimod MS treatment early halted progression of the disease. Then Teva’s Azilect add-on treatment for Parkinson’s disease improved patients’ condition significantly.

(Thanks to NoCamels) Diabetics can now measure their blood-glucose level with the Israeli-developed “Dario” attachment to their smartphone. A lancing device takes your blood and a test strip measures the glucose. The smartphone displays the result and records it, for sharing with the doctor.

To mark “Save Your Vision Month”, Weizmann Institute’s vision research projects include sensory whiskers, glaucoma medication, photon analysis and brain imaging.

Israel’s Biocancell Therapeutics Ltd has reported success in the Phase IIb clinical trial of BC-819 for the treatment of bladder cancer in patients for whom chemotherapy or standard treatment using Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) failed.