(Shutterstock)

Israeli startup CorNeat Vision has completed the design and development stage of its artificial cornea implant; Jewish state sees 50% decrease in mortality rates from heart disease over the past 15 years; Swiss-based life sciences company Lonza establishes R&D center in Haifa, and much more.

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

An artificial cornea

Israeli startup CorNeat Vision has completed the design and development stage of its artificial cornea implant. The CorNeat KPro is produced using nanoscale chemical engineering that stimulates cellular growth. CorNeat is aiming for its first implantation in humans by mid-2018.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-co-corneat-vision-unveils-artificial-cornea-1001207325

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3722598,00.html

50% fewer deaths from heart disease

Israel has seen a 50% decrease in mortality rates from heart disease over the past 15 years and is one of the leading Western countries in heart disease detection, prevention and treatment. In 2000, 20% of patients died one month after their first heart attack. In 2016 it was just 7.5%.

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5020346,00.html

Lonza to open Israeli R&D center

Swiss-based life sciences company Lonza is establishing a Research and Development center in Haifa. The Lonza Collaborative Innovation Center will leverage Israel’s scientific strength in areas such as engineering, software and cell and molecular biology.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3722662,00.html

5 days after “dying”, baby dances on stage

Two-year-old Elchanan wandered off from his family’s succah and fell into a nearby pond.  When United Hatzalah EMT volunteers arrived, Elchanan was clinically dead. After on-site and hospital CPR, Elchanan made a full recovery and danced at his Sukkot concert 5 days later.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/236551

Computer-generated protein design

Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have engineered new proteins, e.g. antibodies or enzymes, that do not exist in nature.  They are designed to have specific properties and can usher in a new age of custom-designed medical treatments. http://www.pnas.org/content/114/41/10900.abstract

https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/spare-parts-might-%E2%80%9Cjump-start%E2%80%9D-protein-design

Israeli to head World Medical Association

Israel Medical Association Chairman Professor Leonid Eidelman has been elected President of the World Medical Association (WMA), an umbrella body representing national medical associations with more than nine million members around the world.

http://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Israeli-doctor-elected-head-of-World-Medical-Association-507585

 

For this week’s Good News from Israel, click HERE.