Key enzyme discovery in fight against cancer; Israeli biotech Neurim signed marketing agreements for its new treatment for sleep disorders in children with autism and neurogenetic diseases; Israeli surgeons from Save a Child’s Heart saved 14 young, faulty hearts, and much more.

By: Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Key enzyme discovery in fight against cancer

Israel Technion researchers have found that the ubiquitin enzyme RNF4 binds to oncogenic proteins to give cancer cells longer lives. Increased levels of RNF4 have been found in colon and breast cancer patients. Removing or inhibiting RNF4 leads to the death of cancer cells.

http://www.technion.ac.il/en/2016/12/crucial-enzyme-for-tumor-development/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC53-lREHQg

Success in sickle-cell disease trial

Israeli biotech Gamida Cell published positive results in its Phase I/II trial of NiCord, for the treatment of Sickle-Cell Disease (SCD). All the patients that completed the trial were free of SCD symptoms.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-gamida-reports-positive-nicord-results-1001165382

Full remission in Leukemia treatment trial

Israel’s BioSight has reported that in treating patients with its Astarabine leukemia treatment, three patients with late-stage leukemia achieved full remission to date. Good results were also reported for older patients over 80.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-biosight-completes-successful-cancer-drug-trial-1001165482

Sleep disorder treatment for autistic kids

Israeli biotech Neurim (featured Nov 20) has signed marketing agreements for its new Rx PedPRM treatment for sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders and neurogenetic diseases. Kuhnil will market Rx PedPRM in Korea; Aspen in Australia and New Zealand.

http://www.neurim.com/news/2016-12-06/neurim-pharmaceuticals-paediatric-prolonged-release-melatonin-pedprm-to-be-marketed-by-kuhnil-pharmaceutical-in-south-korea/

Portable blood test for malaria

Israel’s Sight Diagnostics (SightDx) (see here) in collaboration with the US Army Medical Research Directorate Kenya (USAMRD-K) is developing a portable malaria and complete blood count (CBC) reader. It will be calibrated and tested in clinical trials at the USAMRD-K Field Station in Kisumu, Kenya.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sight-diagnostics-ltd-and-the-united-states-army-announce-a-joint-collaboration-598337901.html

14 more hearts mended in Tanzania

Israeli surgeons from Save a Child’s Heart were back (again) in Tanzania, fixing another fourteen young, faulty hearts. The Israelis worked with a German team from Berlin’s Deutsches Herzzentrum during the five-day medical mission.

http://www.israel21c.org/israeli-german-medical-team-gives-14-children-gift-of-life/

Device to keep track of insulin doses

Israel’s Insulog is a device to help diabetes patients keep track of their insulin doses and prevent accidental overdoses. It snaps onto most types of disposable insulin pen, monitors and logs the dose and sends data to a smartphone app. It displays details of the last dose to the user. Insulog is funding on Indiegogo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vscMWDcjlA

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-smart-tracker-aims-to-keep-tabs-on-insulin-shots/

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/insulog-the-smart-snap-on-insulin-tracker-health–2#/

 

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