Israel Active

OX1, a key drug compound that was developed by Dr. Daniel Chain while heading the Israeli company Mindset BioPharmaceuticals, protects nerve cells from highly oxidizing neurotoxins. OX1 is treating Friedreich’s Ataxia and may be used for other neuro-degenerative diseases.

Israel’s Glycominds (through its US subsidiary) is to market its multiple sclerosis tests through Multiplan to 20 million subscribers and 900,000 health providers, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, doctors, and health providers who work with 1,400 insurance companies.

An OECD report shows that in 2009 Israel spent an average of 7.9% of its GDP on health compared with the OECD average of 9.6%. Average life expectancy in Israel is 81.6 years (7th in the world) compared with the OECD average of 79.5. Survival rates for cancer are also far higher in Israel.

Israel’s Apos, which developed a device for the treatments of knee osteo-arthritis, has signed an agreement with BUPA, one of Britain's largest healthcare insurance companies. Muscle-bone degeneration, mainly manifested in knees, costs the UK the equivalent of 1% of GDP.

Israeli start-up MMAtech Ltd. has obtained EU CE Mark certification for its low-friction knee implants. MMAtech's polymer implant is based on materials originally developed by NASA.

Israeli biotech Compugen has tied up with the US DiscoveRx Corporation in order to find more peptides (short amino acids) that have therapeutic properties. Compugen’s innovative technology has already discovered peptides to treat cardiovascular, fibrotic and inflammatory conditions.

NanoVibronix, based in Nesher near Haifa, has just received a $300,000 injection of funds to help develop its proprietary low-intensity surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology for the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds. NanoVibronix already has US and EU certification for its unique devices for treating tendonitis, muscle pain, catheter-associated infection and trigeminal neuralgia.

Surgeons at Hadassah hospital performed an innovative procedure to remove cancerous tumours. Using special instruments inserted through an endoscope – a surgical tool used to examine body cavities – surgeons ‘peeled’ the lesion from the gastrointestinal wall.

When asked what skills he possessed he once said “Other than driving a tractor, none.” Eli Hurvitz went on to found Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals – the largest generic drug company in the world. Eli passed away last week, aged 79.

Medical errors are the fifth leading cause of death and exact a greater toll on human life than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. Israel’s Pro-IV has developed a computerized medical management system that ensures that caregivers must meticulously follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) when administering drugs. Any deviation from the plan, and the system that administers infusions of medications won't work.