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Israeli startup creates ultrasound device for smartphone; Five Israeli bio-techs at Israel’s MIXiii-Biomed 2018 develops new therapies for ‘orphan’ genetic diseases; ImmunoXpert reduces unnecessary antibiotic use by nearly 90%, and much more.

By: Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

DIY ultrasound for pregnant mothers

Israeli startup PulseNmore is completing development of a revolutionary handheld ultrasound device that will allow pregnant women to check on the health of their baby using a smartphone. On its website, PulseNmore says it’s in stealth mode, so shhh! this new “baby” is asleep.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-device-would-let-pregnant-women-take-ultrasound-scans-on-phone/

https://www.pulsenmore.com/

Reducing overuse of antibiotics

I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s MeMed which has developed ImmunoXpert – a fast test to determine whether an infection is bacterial or virus. ImmunoXpert is now EU approved and a recent study shows it can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use by nearly 90%.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3738353,00.html

http://www.me-med.com/html5/sbs.py?_id=11282&did=2466&G=11049&SM=11282

Reprogramming cancer cells

I reported previously (9th July) that Ben Gurion University Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz had discovered that suppressing the protein VDAC1 inhibits tumor growth. Her team’s latest research shows that small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs) can reprogram the cancer cells back to normal-like cells.  Ointment for pre-skin cancer is in Phase 2 trials. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/bgn/pages/news/cancer.aspx

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-researchers-say-they-have-found-way-to-curb-growth-of-cancer-cells/

http://www.vidacpharma.com/index.php/news/78-vidac-pharma-reports-positive-results-from-phase-2a-proof-of-concept-trial-of-vda-1102-ointment-in-actinic-keratosis

Treatments for rare diseases

Five Israeli bio-techs at Israel’s MIXiii-Biomed 2018 are developing new therapies for “orphan” (rare) genetic diseases. They include ART Bioscience (Duchenne’s), Eloxx (cystinosis), SpliSense (Cystic Fibrosis), NewStem (Fragile X Syndrome) and Minovia (mitochondrial diseases).

https://www.israel21c.org/5-israeli-startups-seeking-cures-for-rare-genetic-diseases/

https://www.artbioscience.com/  http://www.eloxxpharma.com/

http://www.integra-holdings.com/portfolio-items/splisense/ http://www.iati.co.il/company/3793/newstem

http://www.iati.co.il/company/3522/minovia-therapeutics http://kenes-exhibitions.com/biomed/program/#day1

AI to treat brain disorders

Israel’s BrainQ is developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to treat neurological disorders. These identify high resolution spectral patterns in a patient’s Electroencephalogram (EEG) that can be used to treat patients after strokes or spinal injury with tailored electromagnetic therapy.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brainq-technologies-raises-88-million-to-treat-neurodisorders-with-artificial-intelligence-682666821.html  http://brainqtech.com/

Stimulating the brain to relieve migraines

I reported previously (Oct 2016) on one Israeli bio-tech that had developed a non-invasive neural stimulation device to reduce the pain from migraines.  Here is another – Neurolief’s neuro-modulation stimulates the brain stem, preventing secretion of agents that can trigger pain.

https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-neurolief-develops-non-invasive-neuro-modulation-system-to-treat-migraine-1001235443

US Government funds Israeli flu vaccine trial

The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is sponsoring a US-wide Phase 2 trial of the M-001 Universal Flu vaccine from Israel’s BiondVax.  A 9,630-person, EU-financed Phase 3 trial is already scheduled.

http://nocamels.com/2018/05/us-turn-to-israeli-flu-vaccine-maker-outbreak/

Wiping out mosquito-borne viruses

Israel’s Senecio has invented and implemented innovative technology for the mass releases of sterile mosquitoes to disrupt the breeding of the virus-spreading insects. It is a vital part of the battle to end diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, yellow fever, Chikungunya etc.

http://www.senecios.com/

A robot that rehabilitates patients

Scientists at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University have designed a robotic arm that plays tic-tac-toe. Patients can play against the robot to exercise upper limbs following surgery or strokes. Patients were more motivated to compete against the robot than against computer-controlled lights.

https://www.israel21c.org/playing-tic-tac-toe-with-robot-can-help-rehab-patients/

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