Israel Active

Israeli biotech BioView Ltd has announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with OncoMDx of California, to develop a non-invasive diagnostic test for the early detection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases.

Israeli researchers have identified a chemical compound that may lead to prolonged lifespans for patients with Amytotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuro-degenerative diseases. The compound can induce an increased production of the enzyme telomerase which slows the progression of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Israeli inventor Yossi Gross founded Vascular Dynamics in 2008. Its stent is implanted by a non-invasive procedure into the cerebral arteries and increases blood-flow to the brain. Vascular Dynamics has just raised $13.2 million to help take the stent through human clinical trials.

The University of Haifa has developed a virtual reality (VR) therapy combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to treat the fear of flying (aviophobia) and many other psychological conditions. Psychology Prof. Marilyn Safir and Dr. Helene Wallach developed the technique, which already shows an impressive success rate.

(Thanks to Yoeli) A delegation of Nigerian doctors from the University Teaching Hospitals of Abuja, Jos, and Maiduguri, is in Tel Aviv for a 2-week training course. The course focuses on emergency medical preparedness and response; mass casualty incident management; trauma care and disaster management.

26 Palestinian Arabs were evacuated to Israeli hospitals following a bus accident South of Ramallah. Raida Elian is typical – she suffered severe burns and is being treated in Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) Hospital. Raida thanked the Israelis for their treatment and for saving her life.

Doctors from Israel’s “Eye from Zion” organisation removed a large tumour from the eye of a 10-year-old Kavda Imsak,thereby saving her life. Israel’s MASHAV and the Jewish Joint organisations paid for Kavda to be brought to Israel and surgeons worked free of charge.

Dr. Ehud Lamm of Tel Aviv University is at the front line of research into how the genome affects the way our genes change and develop. And below, the first article in TAU’s latest magazine shows that the university is at the centre of the race to develop solutions to rare genetic diseases.

Yissum, the research and development company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, had signed a licensing agreement with a UK company, for the commercialisation of kits that enables immediate detection of drug-resistant infections.

Scientists at Israel’s Technion have developed tiny containers made of natural materials that can protect the drug inside until it is broken down inside the intestines. The drug can then target more precisely the required location of cancers, inflammation and other gastro problems.