Israel Active

Israel’s ban on immigrants from the UK, Ireland and France donating blood has been lifted after 24 years.  The epidemic of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in cattle in those countries raised the possibility of causing variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans.

The Jerusalem Therapy Center for mental health has been inaugurated. The JTC will benefit patients suffering from a variety of mental health issues such as depression, trauma, and certain addictions. It will be staffed by senior clinicians, plus post graduate Yeshiva University therapists.

Back in 2014 (see ), Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center and Haifa University scientists diagnosed ADHD using the Test of Variables of Attention - tracking a patient’s involuntary eye movements. Now Israeli startup MindTension is using the Moro reflex test in the same way.

Tel Aviv and Hebrew University researchers have discovered an abnormal genetic process responsible for the brain disorder known as Williams Syndrome. A molecule known as a 'methyl group' disrupts healthy gene production. The findings could lead to future treatments.

A 15-year study by researchers at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center showed that children suffering from Crohn’s disease and treated with nutrition had a lower chance of needing surgery in the first two years of the disease than those treated with steroids. There were many other benefits.

Two articles about the biosensors of Israel’s Neteera (see previously). They uniquely use safe, very high-frequency radar to penetrate clothing but not skin, programmed specially to monitor human vital signs. No cameras, no wearables, accurate up to 5 feet away. US FDA approved in 2022.

A detailed article about Israel’s Healables (see previously). The wearable AI device is undergoing clinical trials at Israel’s Wolfson Medical Center. Interesting background on the CEO of Healables - a Lubavitcher Chasid whose motivation was his own brain tumor and the pain after its removal.

Israel’s Novocure (see previously) announced that using its TTFields (Tumor Treating electrical Fields) technology in combination with other therapies, improved overall patient survival compared to standard therapies alone.

Israel’s Purple Biotech has two promising treatments for solid tumors in clinical (human) trials. CM24 has completed Phase 1 and is in Phase 2 for Pancreatic cancer. NT219 is in Phase 1/2 in the USA. Purple is also partnering Mor, the technology transfer subsidiary of Israel’s Clalit.

Very positive video featuring the groundbreaking cancer treatment of Israel’s New Phase (see previously). 12 patients at Israel’s Beilinson (Rabin) Medical Center in Petah Tikva are undergoing Phase 1 human safety and tolerance trials.