Dear Friends,
It is with great pride that we present to you the first issue of Jerusalem's Life Science Bulletin that highlights the achievements of the city's life science industry during 2007. In the past year, we have witnessed impressive advancements by life science companies, including significant strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and progress in development of products from pre-clinical to clinical stages, including marketing approvals. In addition, during 2007 the city experienced an upsurge in its biopharma infrastructure with the building of a new Biomed Park in Ein Kerem, and new facilities for several leading biomed companies in Har Hotzvim. We are confident that these developments are part of a trend that will continue and flourish in 2008 placing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel's biomed industry.
Wishing you a successful and innovative 2008,
Dr. Shirley Kutner, Executive Director, BioJerusalem
Licensing & IP
BioLineRx In-Licenses Novel Formulation BL-5010 for the Non-Surgical Removal of Skin Lesions
A non-invasive treatment for skin lesions.
TK Signal, a Hadasit Bio-Holdings Portfolio Company, Signs a Licensing Agreement for New Oncology Therapy.
The company has concluded a binding MOU to license and develop new technology, developed by Dr. Miya Levite, for the treatment of several types of cancer.
BioLineRx In-Licenses Anti-Cancer Compound BL-4060
The compound considerably reduces the size of pancreatic, prostate and breast tumors.
Belgian co licenses Hebrew U biodegradable plastic
The plastic is produced from protein-rich crops such as soy beans, canola.
BioLineRx In-Licenses Novel Peptide BL-4050 for the Treatment of Cancer
The peptide is expected to have a wide spectrum of activity against many types of cancer types.
BioLineRx In-Licenses Novel Drug for the Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury
The compound was shown to be effective for the treatment of AKI in pre-clinical trials.
Teva buys Asthma treatment rights from Yissum
The treatment was found in testing to have eliminated four different types of allergic diseases in mice.
Yissum and Protalix BioTherapeutics Sign Agreement to License Acetylcholinestrase Development Technology
Protalix BioTherapeutics to Explore Biodefense and Civilian Applications with Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Hebrew University’s Yissum signs deal with Neocrine Biosciences
Valnoctamide and its individual stereoisomers have a potential $15 billion worldwide
market for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Clinical & Regulatory News
Biocancell cancer fighting drug succeeds in trial
The biotech company's share rose over 13% on the news.
First Patient Undergoes Expanded Cord Blood Transplant in the ExCell Registration Study of StemEx® for Leukemia and Lymphoma
Patients are now being enrolled in the U.S. for the Gamida Cell-Teva Joint Venture ExCell trial studying StemEx® as an alternative treatment for bone marrow transplants.
Positive results for InCure cancer diagnostic test
The test uses blood samples to diagnose breast and colon cancers.
Omrix begins Adhexil clinical trials
Adhexil is a human fibrin-based sealant after gynecological surgery.
BioLineRx Announces Positive Results from Phase 2a Interim Trial Analysis of BL-1020 for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia
Phase 2a interim results suggest that BL-1020 has the potential to become an effective antipsychotic with minimal side effects.
Biocancell drug effective against several cancers
The company will now apply to the FDA for Phase I human clinical trials for BC-819.
Biocancell cancer drug trial shows good results
The company expects to begin a Phase IIb trial.
Hadasit commences Phase II trial of stroke treatment
Early data shows that the virtual reality system helps patients suffer less pain.
Brainsway widens scope of its magnetic stimulation products
The company will begin a trial of its TMS system to treat post traumatic stress disorder.
Biocancell completes Phase I clinical trial
The trial is for a prostate cancer treatment.
Brainsway reports positive interim results of trial
The company has developed Deep TMS - a transcranial magnetic stimulation device - for the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression.
Hadasit cervical collar passes Phase I safety trials
The study was registered with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and operated under the guidelines of both the NIH and the Israeli Ministry of Health.
Brainsway gets permit for Parkinson’s trial
The company is currently conducting clinical trials of its device to treat depression.
BioLineRx Announces Results of Clinical Receptor-Occupancy Study of BL-1020, a First in Class GABA-Enhanced Antipsychotic for the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Study determines that BL-1020 significantly blocks dopamine receptor – direct evidence of antipsychotic efficacy.
FDA approves Omrix sealant for vascular surgery
Johnson and Johnson subsidiary Ethicon will market Evicel.
Verto begins Phase I/II trial of Lupus drug
Verto has developed a combined device and drug, the Lupusorb column.
Brainsway to conduct human trial for Deep TMS
The trial will test the effectiveness of its Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device its marijuana rehab.
Financial News
Cell Cure raises $3 million
The firm will continue its stem cell research, and not be limited to a specific disease.
BiolineRX mulls dual listing on Nasdaq
CEO Morris Laster: I didn’t immigrate to Israel to emigrate back.
Teva to invest in stem cell start-up Cell Cure
The Hadasit Bio portfolio company previously received funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Oramed raises $2m in private placement
The company is developing an oral insulin capsule for treating diabetes.
Jerusalem's BreathID IPO is 37% oversubscribed
The company's offering was oversubscribed despite the absence of an underwriter and institutional tender.
BiolineRX, Pan Atlantic Bank set up $6m research fund
The companies intend to invest in 8-10 projects in fields related to BiolineRX.
Michael J. Fox Foundation puts faith in Israeli Parkinson's research
Molecule is an antioxidant that overcomes the blood-brain barrier.
Hadasit Bio raises investment from Consensus Business Group
The group manages a $500 million fund for investment in technology commercialization companies.
Yissum sells its Holdings in BioCancell Therapeutics to Clal Biotechnology Industries
CBI will purchase 24% of the cancer-drug developer; Yissum keeps its royalties agreement.
Hadasit Bio to invest $1.8m in 5 portfolio cos
The companies are Tolarex, ProtAb, Kahr Medical, Verto and InCure.
Diagnostic co BreathID to raise $10m on TASE
BreathID has developed a non-invasive a multi-test platform for diagnosing and monitoring a range of diseases and disorders of the digestive system.
BiolineRX to raise $50m on TASE
This will be the largest IPO ever by a biomedical company on TASE.
Clal Biotechnology is strategic investor in Thrombotech
CBI will invest $50,000 in Trombotech's blood clot treatment.
Collaborations & Alliances
Hadasit and Anadis to Form Joint Venture Company to Develop Therapeutic Treatments for Inflammatory Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Cancer
The new company will be called Immuron and the products will be based on a combination of IP from Hadasit and Anadis.
Shaare Zedek Medical Center Signs Historic Academic Affiliation Agreement With Hebrew University
As a result of the agreement and with the resulting expansion of the Hebrew University faculty, the medical school will be able to cater to a higher number of students.
Gamida Cell and NovaThera to collaborate on lung repair
The companies will develop cell therapeutic treatments for lung repair and regeneration.
J&J to distribute Medinol stents
Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Cordis estimates that the bare metal stents will be available outside the US in the second half of 2007.
Corporate News
Yissum Spins-Off Nanolymf to Advance Breakthrough Liver-Bypassing Oral Drug Delivery Technology
Jerusalem-based Yissum has formed a spin-off company Nanolymf, which will be dedicated to advancing a nanotechnology controlled-release drug delivery platform.
Hadassah's innovative treatment for multiple sclerosis: transplanting stem cells from patient's bone marrow
New Multiple Sclerosis Center launched at Hadassah this week.
BioJerusalem Launches Activities
Jerusalem Development Authority allocates initial 10 million NIS to BioJerusalem.
Hadasit Announces Hadassah Hospital’s New Clinical Research Center
The Center will be located at the new BioTechnology Park in Ein Kerem.
Teva to recruit 200 for new Jerusalem plant
The plant's exports will amount to $700 million a year.
Profiles
Drugs and vaccines by special delivery
One of Israel's leading biochemists, Prof. Yechezkel Barenholz of the Hebrew University's Hadassah Medical School, has used liposomes to design better drug delivery systems that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients around the world.
Four are better than one
Tiltan has developed an anti-cancer platform that attacks the cancer's supply line instead of the growth itself.
An Israeli Biotech Company Plays the Field
Flush with investors' capital, BioLineRX screens hundreds of promising compounds, then develops a handful that might make profitable drugs.
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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.
In This Issue
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Did You Know?
- 43% of Israel's biotech research and half of its clinical research are performed in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in hospitals in the city.
- Approximately 100 pharma, biotechnology and medical device companies are located in Jerusalem and employ about 2,400 employees.
- Jerusalem is the only centrally located city in Israel to enjoy national development zone A status entitling companies to the best grants and tax incentives available in Israel today.
- The Hebrew University ranks 12th worldwide in biotechnology patents.
- Biotechnology companies in Jerusalem comprise about 35% of the national biotechnology industry
- Jerusalem is home to the highest number of life sciences graduate students in Israel
- Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University, ranks among the leading 15 technology transfer companies in the world.
- Hadasit, the technology transfer company of Hadassah medical school, is the first and only technology transfer company that went public on the stock market
- Jerusalem is a leader in several lucrative and promising life sciences fields encompassing multidisciplinary approaches such as brain research and regenerative medicine, particularly stem cells.
Contact Us
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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