Visiting Companies

Rehovot, Israel
Yossi Riback, Chief Executive Officer

Biokine Therapeutics Ltd. is an emerging biotechnology company developing novel drugs for cancer patients including anti-cancer and stem cells mobilization drugs. Biokine was established in 2000 by Prof. Amnon Peled from Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem and Dr. Orly Eizenberg. The company is focused on developing new and novel CXCR4 based drugs and has completed Phase I/IIa clinical trials in 16 Multiple Myeloma patients.

Leading Product and TechnologyHit platform:

• The CXCR4 axis is critically involved in the development and progression of cancer as well as in regulating stem cell mobilization and the recovery of the bone marrow following chemotherapy and inflammation.
• BKT140, the most advanced molecule of Biokine, is a Unique CXCR4 antagonist. Through extensive pre clinical research Biokine discovered that BKT140 is an anti cancer agent with the capacity to treat lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma and solid tumors as well as a powerful mobilizer of stem cells and lymphocytes.

Rehovot, Israel
Oren M Becker, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer

Dynamix is a venture-backed pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel, targeted, small-molecule drugs for cancer and autoimmune disorders. Dynamix focuses on two drug classes – Cancer Metabolism modulators and Type II Kinase Inhibitors. Both drug classes explore some of the newest and most promising therapeutic routes to treat urgent, unmet medical needs in cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Dynamix is building an industry-leading pipeline of small-molecule drugs. Founded in 2009, Dynamix has already created a strong pipeline of 6-drug programs across cancer metabolism, cancer and autoimmune disorders, and is currently focusing on the optimization and preclinical development of these candidates. The company will start clinical development of its lead program in 2011. Among the programs under development are:

• Pyruvate Kinase M2 (PKM2) activators for renormalizing cancer metabolism
• PLK1 inhibitors for colorectal and breast cancer, focusing on p53 mutated tumors (personalized medicine)
• Selective Type II SYK inhibitors for autoimmune disorders (partnered with Teva Pharmaceuticals)
• Selective Type II JAK3 inhibitors for autoimmune disorders

This home-grown pipeline was created with the company’s highly efficient discovery platform and innovative proprietary DynamixFit™ technology. This technology platform addresses the process of ‘dynamic induced fit’, in which the 3D structure of the target protein changes when it interacts with drug compounds. It is uniquely suitable for discovering novel selective kinase inhibitors, is able to identify NCEs even for ‘tough’ targets, significantly shortening drug development times, and lowering R&D costs.

Herzliya, Israel
Ronen Gadot,  Managing Director

ElMindA’s mission is to revolutionize the way we treat brain disorders, by opening a new window into the way the brain works. Founded in 2006, ElMindA has developed the Brain Network Activation (BNA) technology, which for the first time enables elucidation of the neural activity at high temporal and spatial resolutions, capturing information on the composition, connectivity, synchronization and operation of brain networks.

An astounding 1 in every 3 people suffers from a brain-related illness (Alzheimer, ADHD, stroke, depression, epilepsy, stroke, etc), causing an enormous economic and social burden that continues to grow as the population ages. To date, the treatment and management of these disorders have been largely based on subjective assessment and trial and error. ElMindA's BNA technology can transform the practice of medicine for the treatment of brain-related disorders, enabling more exact diagnosis and better treatment selection, assessment and optimization, enhancing treatment efficacy and patients' quality of life while reducing costs.

ElMindA's platform technology is applicable to a wide spectrum of indications including ADHD, Stroke, Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Pain and more. The first 2 applications in the pipeline are: (i) A medical device for treatment management of ADHD by accurate and objective diagnosis, treatment selection and optimization; and (ii) A critical tool for pharmaceutical and neuro-stimulation companies to accelerate and improve treatment development by supporting crucial decisions to increase the success rate of clinical trials (more appropriate dose, more responsive subjects, higher efficacy).

ElMindA enjoys a broad IP base, an experienced management team, and a world class scientific advisory board. The company has already completed several clinical studies at leading institutes, and secured a strategic collaboration with Kendle International (NASDAQ: KNDL), a leading, global full-service clinical research organization (CRO). As of March 2010, ElMindA's first product is commercially available, and has started generating revenues for the company.

Tel Aviv, Israel
Allen Baharaff, Chief Financial Officer

GalMed Medical Research develops innovative, proprietary drugs for the treatment of chronic lipid related and liver diseases. The most advanced compound, Aramchol, is initiating these days a phase-II clinical trial in patients with Fatty Liver (NAFLD and NASH). The company has successfully completed Phase I studies with oral Aramchol in 41 human volunteers with excellent safety and pharmacokinetics results. Aramchol is a once daily, orally administrated, new synthetic small molecule that has already demonstrated efficacy in a variety of experimental models and in human cells and safety in chronic toxicology studies. Aramchol’s activity was demonstrated to be due to an inhibition of the liver lipogenic enzyme Stearoyl Coenzyme A Desaturase (SCD).This inhibition caused decreased fatty acid synthesis on the one hand with simultaneously increased fatty acid catabolism (beta oxidation) on the other hand. There are at present no known inhibitors of SCD1 with the established safety and efficacy profile of Aramchol which has also marked hypocholesterolemic and modest Anti atherogenic activity.

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent chronic liver disease worldwide. Its prevalence in the general population of the industrialized countries is >30% and its rising rapidly together with the occurrence of obesity and Diabetes. The prevalence of Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of the disease is 4-6% of the general population. Recently Fatty Liver was shown to carry a 5 fold increased risk of severe CVD complications within 5-6 follow up. At the present time, no treatments are available for NAFLD or NASH.

The gastrointestinal (GI) disorders market has been one of the largest and most profitable therapeutic areas in the world pharmaceutical industry. It is estimated that an Aramchol based Fatty Liver Disease drug's annual sales could amount to more than $15 billion worldwide.

Or Akiva, Israel
Israel Schreiber, Chief Executive Officer

ITGI Medical is an Israeli bio-medical engineering company specializing in research and development, design, manufacture and distribution of high quality heterologous tissue covered stents for Cardiovascular and Neurovascular interventions. ITGI has proprietary patents, techniques and devices to cover stents with heterologous tissue. Our proprietary technology and knowledge in working with heterologous tissue is propelling our growth. We're focusing on current technologies and application that improve the standard of care for patients around the world in the fields of interventional Cardiology and Neurology for the application in Coronary and neurological  aneurysms, Saphenous Vein Graft occlusion (SVG Disease) and vascular perforations. Studies conducted prove that ITGI’s propriety technology can address these clinical problems in a safe and effective manner.

Caesarea, Israel
Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer
Sharon Levita, Chief Financial Officer

Mazor Robotics has pioneered the development of miniature Semi robotic bone mounted positioning systems SmartAssist platform for a wide range of orthopedic procedures. Mazor is a leading provider of SpineAssist, a highly accurate, minimally invasive, easy-to-use, miniature surgical assistance system for a wide range of spine procedures. Established in 2001and sponsored by the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Mazor's SpineAssist system is in regular use in medical centers worldwide.

Mazor's proprietary technology enables a safer environment for patients, surgeons and OR staff, by utilizing miniature robotic, imaging and implant technologies. Our products SpineAssist®, C-InSight™ and GO-LIF™ are easy-to-use, cost-effective and improve surgical outcomes.

Ness-Ziona, Israel and San Jose, CA, USA
Rom Eliaz, Chief Executive Officer
Ronald Ellis, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research & Development

NasVax develops novel and improved vaccines and immunotherapeutic products.

The company has four programs.

1. Anti-CD3 (aCD3) oral immunotherapy employs a monoclonal antibody for down-regulating pathogenic immune cells in inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. The aCD3 program is in its initial Phase 2a study in subjects with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH or fatty liver disease). The company has an ongoing collaboration with Centocor Ortho for aCD3.

2. VaxiSome® adjuvant / delivery-system is formulated to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. VaxiSome-Influenza vaccine has been evaluated in Phase 1-2a clinical studies. The company has an ongoing non-exclusive collaboration with Novartis for VaxiSome®.

3. Group-common protein-based pneumococcal vaccine is a potential 3rd-generation vaccine that has potential advantages over the currently marketed 2nd-generation vaccines. The company has an ongoing collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for part of the pneumococcal vaccine program, which is in preclinical studies.

4. Alzheimer’s disease immunotherapeutic based on a novel monoclonal antibody, which is in preclinical studies.

NasVax has collaborations with three of the largest Pharma companies. The company seeks to provide its future partners with access to its programs via licensing and joint development arrangements, and to enable utilization of the VaxiSome platform for additional indications and applications not being actively explored by the company, including immunotherapy. NasVax also seeks access to novel vaccine antigens.

Yokneam, Israel
Giora Kornblau, Chief Executive Officer

Navotek Medical Ltd, founded in 2005, has developed the proprietary RealTrackâ„¢, intra-body tracking technology, enabling real-time, 3D tracking of tiny radioactive sources within the human body with sub-millimeter accuracy.

Navotek is currently marketing its first products:

• RealEyeâ„¢ tracking system
• Tracer, implantable fiducial markers

The system provides real-time localization of tumors before and during external beam radiation therapy treatments.

The RealEye and Tracer performance was verified in multicenter studies that have proven its accuracy, objectivity and significant time saving. Moreover, sub-millimeter, real-time target localization has the potential to significantly reduce the treatment course length from 30-40 treatments to 5-10 (hypo-fractionation and SBRT).

Navotek is in the process of developing its next applications, augmented reality based navigation systems for guided surgery.

Navotek’s team is composed of highly talented individuals that work together as a closely knit team. Each of the members contributes from his directly relevant experience to the Company’s rapid and successful progress.

Yoqneam, Israel
Eyal Baror, Chief Executive Officer

Founded in 2008, Neuronix mission is to provide long-term improvement in the quality of life for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), an incurable and terminal disease affecting over 30 million people worldwide.

The company’s solution, NICE™, is based on a novel, patent pending technology, using TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) of affected brain regions simultaneously with cognitive training. The stimulation induces LTP (Long Term Potentiation) processes, which is known to be associated with learning and memory. The result is a measurable cognitive improvement after just a few weeks of treatment.

A clinical study conducted in Israel has shown promising results from both safety and efficacy perspectives, recording improvement in lost cognitive function of AD at least as good as that of existing drugs. Moreover, this improvement is maintained for a long-lasting period of at least one year. CE mark for the treatment is currently pending.

Haifa, Israel
Asaf Danziger, Chief Executive Officer
Mike Ambrogi, Chief Operating Officer

NovoCure’s NovoTTF-100A is a non-invasive, portable medical device for the treatment of cancer utilizing low intensity alternating electric fields.  Initial indications for use are primary brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme) and late stage non-small cell lung cancer. 

NovoCure’s Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a completely novel approach to fighting cancer targeted at the physical properties of rapidly dividing cells with no toxicity.  Early studies show promising efficacy when compared to standard chemotherapy with the only known side effect to be mild to moderate skin irritation under the surface electrodes.

Carmiel, Israel
Sandra Lauterbach, Vice President, Sales and Commercial Operation

Protalix Biotherapeutics is focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins based on their proprietary ProCellExTM  protein expression system. Using our ProCellEx platform Protalix is developing a pipeline of proprietary recombinant therapeutic proteins that target large, established pharmaceutical markets and that rely upon known biological mechanisms of action. The initial commercial focus has been on complex therapeutic proteins, including proteins for the treatment of genetic disorders, such as Gaucher disease and Fabry disease. Protalix believes the ProCellEx protein expression system will enable us to develop proprietary recombinant proteins that are therapeutically equivalent or superior to existing recombinant proteins currently marketed for the same indications.

Protalix currently has agreements with Pfizer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Weismann Institute of Science and others.

Rehovot, Israel
Danny Taglicht, Ph.D., Director Research & Development

Proteologics is a biopharmaceutical company exploiting the UBIQUITIN system for the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Drs. Avram Hershko and Aaron Ciechanover, - 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureates for the discovery of the ubiquitin system - lead our distinguished scientific advisory board. Proteologics world-class knowledge, supported by a unique target and drug discovery platform, is being used to unveil the role of ubiquitin in pathologies with the goal of developing ubiquitin system targeted drugs for many types of cancer, metabolic disease, viral infections and CNS related disorders.

Proteologics identifies correlations between ubiquitin pathway components and pathological conditions. Once specific E3 targets are being selected and validated, we proceed to establishing proprietary technologies for the accelerated hit-to-lead drug discovery process. Proteologics' recognized competencies are built through a number of internal programs and partnerships, including strategic R&D collaborations with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Or-Akiva, Israel
Alastair Clemow, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer

 Regentis Biomaterials is a tissue repair company that is developing and commercializing innovative biodegradable hydrogels for the local repair of damaged cartilage and bone. Our platform technology is a family of hydrogels called Gelrin™. These gels can be injected or applied to a specific local site and offer beneficial properties for the local repair of damaged tissue such as cartilage and bone.

The Gelrin™ technology offers off-the-shelf products that are designed to be suitable for both open surgery and minimally invasive procedures. An ideal solution for physicians and their patients, the products are easy to implant and have been shown to stimulate the regeneration of healthy cartilage and bone tissue. Regentis’ first orthopedic product is GelrinC, a biodegradable hydrogel for articular cartilage regeneration. Additional pipeline products include GelrinB - a biodegradable hydrogel for bone regeneration; and GelrinA - a void filling matrix for aesthetic indications.

Extensive preclinical studies have demonstrated both the safety and efficacy of Gelrinâ„¢ and initial human clinical trials in Europe in preparation for CE mark approval have started. Human trials under an IDE are expected to begin in early 2011.

Lod, Israel
Daphna Heffetz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer

TransPharma Medical is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of biopharmaceutical products utilizing our proprietary active transdermal drug delivery technology. TransPharma’s ViaDerm delivery system is a low cost home use system especially designed for self, safe and simple application by the patient. It is suitable for transdermal delivery of a wide range of molecules including biologics.

We are currently pursuing three transdermal drug-product development programs. Our lead product is the ViaDerm-hPTH(1-34), for the treatment of osteoporosis, in collaborative development with Eli Lilly. The product is currently in Phase 2B. Our Phase 2A human clinical trials, in which ViaDerm-hPTH (1-34) was administered repeatedly to 104 osteoporosis patients for 96 successive days, has met its primary and secondary endpoints for efficacy and safety. Two other, high potential peptide based products are currently in phase 1. One of these products is the ViaDerm-GLP-1 agonist for the treatment of type II Diabetes, currently in phase IB. TransPharma has identified significant advantages that its ViaDerm-GLP-1 agonist product in development may offer over the current injectable marketed products. Already, our phase IA study results demonstrated a clearly preferable sustained drug PK profile. The sustained drug profile may allow for once a day painless transdermal administration with lessened side effects associated with the current injected peak drug blood profile. 

TransPharma has established an infrastructure for product development including pilot manufacturing lines.