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.
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
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.
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.
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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