ILSI-Biomed Israel

Aiming for Near-Normal Blood Sugar Did Not Delay Combined Risk of Diabetic Damage for People With Long-standing Diabetes, NIH-Sponsored Trial Finds

In people with longstanding type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for heart attack and stroke, lowering blood sugar to near-normal levels did not delay the combined risk of diabetic damage to kidneys, eyes, or nerves, but did delay several other signs of diabetic damage, a study has found.  The intensive glucose treatment was compared with standard glucose control. These findings are from the NIH-funded Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial.  Although intensive t...

Stem Cells as Seek-and-Destory Missiles against Cancer

As published in New Scientist, stem cells were succesfully modified to act as seek-and-destroy missiles against cancer in mice brains Stem cells are often viewed as the ultimate solution for regenerative medicine, and for a good cause. Given the correct cues, they can regenerate whole parts of the body, and even re-create an entire embryo (although that would require QUITE some understanding of the cues involved in the process). It seems, however, that now a new use has been found for the...

A Novel Artificial Pancreas System

An aritifical pancreas system that maintains near-normal glucose levels by injecting both insulin and glucagon was succesfully demonstrated on a small number of patients An artificial pancreas system that closely mimics the body's blood sugar control mechanism was able to maintain near-normal glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia in a small group of patients. The system, combining a blood glucose monitor and insulin pump technology with software that directs administration of insulin an...

First worldwide patients treated with anti-adhesion SpineShield

Magen Medical Solutions Ltd., a medical device company developing unique anti-adhesion devices for orthopedic applications, is pleased to announce that it has successfully implanted its first product, the SpineShield, in three patients at a clinical site in Europe. Post-operative adhesion is considered a major cause of failed back surgery. In up to 15% of cases, patients suffer from pain due to spinal adhesion, or scar tissue formation around the spinal cord, which may require a second su...

Avraham Pharmaceuticals: $9 M Funding for a Multy-functional Alzheimer drug

Avraham Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has raised $9 million from Yissum Research Development Company (the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Pontifax, Clal Biotechnology Industries (CBI), Professor Marta Weinstock-Rosin and others.   Yissum has announced that, together with the Technion Research and Development Foundation (TRDF), the technology transfer arm of the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, it will exclusively license to Avraham the commercial rights of La...

Meet the Speakers: The Future of siRNA

siRNA is one of the molecules of future medicine, with some success at early clinical trials. How will this molecule affect the future of therapeutics? Twelve years ago, a novel mechanism for shutting down genes has been described in a nature paper. The mechanism described made use of molecules called siRNA – Small Inhibitory RNA – whose potential for the development of new therapies for diseases like cancer has been recognized immediately. Last year, Dr. Dan Peer managed to create lip...

Start-up Weekly: MGVS – a Israeli Cell / Gene Therapy Company

MGVS is a promising Israeli company, whose leading product has passed Phase I/II trial in December 2009 and could be used to treat critical limb ischemia. PLUS they're currently recruiting! Name: MGVS Ltd. CEO: Guy Yachin Sector: Biotechnology Suc-Sector: Cell therapy Medical Field: Cardiovascular Est.: 2000 Stage: Phase I/IIa Clinical trials Vision: To become the leader in advanced cell therapy based solutions for cardiovascular patients Employees: 21 and currentl...

Almost-Breakthroughs of the Year: Genetic Engineering and Longevity Drug

The magazine Science picked two runner-ups for the Breakthrough of the Year award: genetic engineering and a novel longevity drug Do you read Science, the magazine? You really should. It's one of the best sources for breakthroughs in research. This month they have a special section, where they tried to pick the Breakthrough of the Year. They probably had to do quite a lot of thinking, but eventually they settles on the discovery of Ardi - the missing link between our ancient ape-like ance...

Seminar: Patient Recruitment: Key Success Factor in Clinical Trials, January 19, 2010

SAVE THE DATE January 19, 2010, 4:00-7:00 PM Beit Chel Ha’avir, 15 Jabotinski Street, Herzelia Patient Recruitment: Key Success Factor in Clinical Trials The seminar will focus on issues related to excellence in clinical trial management, highlighting patient recruitment as a key to success. We will use case studies presented by: Dr. Yael Kenan, TransPharma Medical COO and ex Teva’s Global Clinical Drug Development in the field of Parkinson disease Dr. Yael Margolin, Gamida Cel...

Of Aging and the Universal Flu Vaccine

Two interesting headlines in Calcalist: in five years we'll get to know our approximated life expectency, and if everything goes alright, we'll have a universal Flu Vaccine  to boot. There’ve been two interesting articles in Calcalist (the Israeli Economist), lately. I really recommend reading this paper, as it has some quality articles appearing every few days. The first deals with the aging world, which is a topic that has vast ramifications on the economy, society and healthcare, espec...