SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER

Enlivex Therapeutics approved for Phase I trial of Allocetra in TMJ osteoarthritis by Israeli Ministry of Health. Trial to assess tolerability, efficacy, and safety in six non-responsive subjects. Allocetra, a universal cell therapy, aims to reset macrophages and potentially treat critical illnesses.

NurExone Biologic Inc. announced significant findings from an expanded preclinical study of ExoPTEN, its drug for repairing optic nerve damage, in collaboration with the Goldschleger Eye Institute at Sheba Medical Center. The study showed clear recovery of signal transmission and enhanced survival of retinal ganglion cells, suggesting ExoPTEN's potential as a treatment for glaucoma. The Optic Nerve Disorders treatment market is expected to grow from $5.54 billion in 2023 to $11.5 billion by 2032.

Approval of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in 1997 significantly reduced liver transplant and death risks for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but up to 40% of patients do not sufficiently respond. Off-label use of fibrates and the 2016 approval of obeticholic acid (Ocaliva) as a second-line treatment provided additional options, though Ocaliva has downsides like increased pruritus. New PPAR agonists, seladelpar and elafibranor, have been approved for PBC, showing potential benefits but with unknown long-term risks.

ARC Innovation's Starget Pharma secures $5.1 million from Cancer Focus for precise cancer diagnosis and targeted radiotherapy, with a clinical trial at the University of Texas and other institutions starting in early 2025.

Yonalink launches Israel Clinical Trials Network (ICTN) to establish Israel as a leader in clinical trial research, supported by the Israel Innovation Authority and Ministry of Health. ICTN aims to attract global pharmaceutical and medical device companies, leveraging Israel's digitized healthcare system and robust innovation ecosystem. Participating hospitals include Sheba Medical Center, Rabin Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center.

The 2024 ARC Summit in Tel Aviv highlighted Israel's role as a global healthtech leader, showcasing innovations in AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, and personalized care. Sheba's ARC Innovation Center, an incubator for global healthtech solutions, launched embARC Ventures to support startups. A strategic partnership with Paradigm Health Inc. aims to revolutionize clinical trials using AI.

Starget Pharma, an Israeli startup, secured $5.1 million from MD Anderson’s Cancer Focus fund for AI-powered radioligand therapies targeting difficult-to-treat cancers. The investment supports clinical development, aiming to deliver targeted radiotherapy directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Starget’s technology, expected to revolutionize cancer treatment, offers hope to patients with complex cancers and limited options.

ARC Innovation announces $5.1 million funding for Starget Pharma, specializing in precise cancer diagnosis and targeted radiotherapy, secured from Cancer Focus in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center. Starget Pharma has raised $10 million to date, leveraging AI for personalized cancer therapies, aiming to begin clinical trials in 2025.

NAYA Biosciences plans to initiate a clinical trial for NY-303, a GPC3-targeting NK Engager bispecific antibody, in early 2025 at leading Israeli medical centers to treat hepatocellular carcinoma in non-responders to first-line immunotherapy. The trial aims to evaluate safety, efficacy, and progression-free survival, with potential expansion to the U.S. and Europe in Phase 2a.

NAYA Biosciences plans to start a clinical trial in early 2025 at leading Israeli medical centers to evaluate NY-303, a GPC3-targeting NK Engager bispecific antibody for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-responders to first-line immunotherapy.