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Dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we present to you the last 2008 quarterly issue of the Jerusalem Life Science Bulletin, highlighting the latest achievements and news of the partners in Jerusalem's life science cluster.
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In these times of economic uncertainties, BioJerusalem's role of supporting the biomed industry in Israel's capital is further accentuated. In the past year, we have initiated two programs offering grants both to start-ups and more established life science companies that set up or expand their business in Jerusalem. These grants join significant multiple financial benefits offered by the Jerusalem Development Authority to biomedical companies and employees.
The year 2008, and particularly the last quarter, was also characterized by intensive global activities on behalf of BioJerusalem with the aim of strengthening ties and increasing collaborations with biomed clusters in Europe and the US. We organized in Jerusalem several workshops with our French colleagues, hosted delegations from various countries and were invited to present our biomed cluster in international forums and conferences. These efforts have already matured into a collaboration agreement with Bio-Ohio, including over 40 organizations and cities.
We are very pleased to see that, although the life science sector is not immune to the current hardships, Jerusalem's biomed industry continues to expand, with companies such as Teva Pharmaceuticals, Omrix and Sigma Aldrich as well as others currently recruiting employees, and new companies establishing their operation in the city. In addition, we are witnessing collaboration agreements between Jerusalem based biomed companies and global life science companies based on successful advancements in product development through the clinic and toward commercialization. The city is also continuing to retain its leadership in life science and biomedical research, especially in the areas of neuroscience and regenerative medicine with focus on stem cells and nanomedicine. Based on our 2008 achievements, we welcome 2009 with hope and enthusiasm.
Wishing you all a creative and innovative year,
Dr. Shirley Kutner, Executive Director, BioJerusalem
The Jerusalem Development Authority
| Medical & Scientific Discoveries/Research |
Israeli
scientists reverse brain birth defects using stem cells
The findings could lead in the long term to
a significant breakthrough in the treatment of neural and behavioral birth
defects.
Patient
photos aid docs reading faceless CT scans
Adding photos of patients' faces made
doctors more meticulous when looking at X-rays.
New
skin disease deemed too rare to warrant research
The disease and defective genes have been
discovered by a team at the Hadassah University Medical Center.
BioLineRx
and Yissum Sign a Licensing Agreement for the Development of a Novel Compound
for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The new drug candidate utilizes a mutated
version of leptin with anti-inflammatory properties.
Yissum
offers new technologies that are worlds apart: computer pattern matching, and
enhanced flower aroma
An algorithm that enables very rapid
pattern recognition and a way to genetically alter flower smell.
| Collaborations & Alliances |
Small
science offers big hope for Israeli and Palestinian scientists
A trilateral project uses nanotechnology to
investigate diseases such as AIDS.
Yissum
Subsidiary Jexys Pharmaceuticals Announces Strategic R&D Collaboration
Agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals
The agreement includes financing of Jexys' HTP drug discovery
platform.
Oridion
Signs Agreement With Major US Health Plan Provider for Microstream(R)
Capnography
The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. is America's largest
non-profit health provider.
Ohio
and Jerusalem combine bio-forces
BioOhio and BioJerusalem agreement aims to accelerate life
science economic development.
It's
official: J&J to pay $438m for Omrix Biopharm
Omrix CEO: We believe this merger is in the best interest of
Omrix's shareholders, customers and employees.
| Clinical & Regulatory News |
Biocancell
applies for FDA trial for pancreatic cancer drug
The company also plans to apply for a trial
of its drug for ovarian cancer.
Brainsway
gets FDA nod for device trial
The company plans to begin a multi-center
trial of its deep Transcanial Magnetic Stimulation device soon.
Oramed
Pharmaceuticals Launches Phase 1A Trials of its Insulin Suppository
An insulin suppository represents an important development in
the treatment of diabetes as it provides a painless alternative for effective
insulin delivery
Yissum
Launches Cleantech Programme in Support of Technologies Developed at the Hebrew
University
Initial Cleantech Inventions Chosen Include
Technologies Aimed at Reducing Polluting Effects of Fossil Fuels and Creating
Alternative Clean Energy Sources.
Stock
market provides biotech with financial life line
Among the newest arrivals at TASE are a
group of small biotech firms which launched thir IPO's in late 2005.
BioJerusalem
Announces Grant for Startup Life Science Companies Located in Jerusalem
The grant is intended to accelerate the establishment of
biomedical companies in Jerusalem.
Patience
pays in biotech
Hadasit Bio Holdings allows investors access to early stage
research.
Brainsway
seeks more, not fewer employees
The company is seeking five R&D
employees following the launch of new clinical trials.
Weizmann,
Hebrew University top world ranking
'The Scientist' ranks Israeli academic institutions in first,
second places in its annual search 'the best places to work in academia' outside
the US
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This newsletter is brought to you by BioJerusalem, an initiative of the Jerusalem Development Authority, committed to building a strong life science industry in Jerusalem.
Please visit www.biojerusalem.org.il or contact us for more information on how BioJerusalem can assist your business.
NanoIsrael 2009
– Israel's 1st International Nanotechnology Conference supported by BioJerusalem, the Jerusalem Development Authority, will be held on March 30-31, 2009 at the Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem.
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BioJerusalem
High Tech Village, Bldg. 1-1
Edmond Safra Campus
Givat Ram, P.O.Box 39026
Jerusalem 91390, Israel
Phone: 972-2-5617532
Fax: 972-2-6796358
Email: info@biojerusalem.org.il
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