The Most Promising Israeli Developments in Biomedicine

Last week, the annual international exhibition-conference MIXiii-Biomed took place in Tel Aviv, where companies from around the world presented their medical and biological developments. Unique biomedical devices and technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment were showcased by Israeli startups. We discuss the most promising innovations.

YOPI: Will Determine Heart Attack Risk by Sweat Composition

An Israeli company has developed an innovative device that will alert a person to the likelihood of a heart attack during physical exertion. The technology is based on monitoring the body's oxygen consumption. During exercise, the body requires more oxygen to maintain muscle performance. Oxygen uptake by the myocardium is a key factor in optimal load. This indicator is individual for each person and depends on their physiology and level of physical fitness. Currently, the only way to measure it is to undergo a test with an oxygen mask in a special laboratory.

The creators of the Israeli startup YOPI developed an alternative method for measuring the heart's oxygen uptake that does not require laboratory conditions. One of them, Hemi Ray, is an amateur athlete. During workouts, he monitored his heart rate with a pulse meter – the data indicated that his heart was healthy and capable of withstanding significant physical loads. However, a few years ago, Hemi was hospitalized, where he underwent an emergency coronary bypass procedure. After that, a cardiologist opened his eyes to many alarming signals that he had not noticed. Symptoms indicating heart problems were mistaken for temporary loss of endurance.

This situation made him reconsider his attitude towards the problem. Together with renowned Israeli doctor Menachem Genut, they conducted thorough research and concluded that the optimal way to monitor heart function during exercise is not to measure the pulse, but to track the level of oxygen uptake. The fact is that during aerobic exercise, O₂ consumption significantly decreases. Monitoring this indicator can prevent a heart attack and other critical conditions resulting from coronary artery blockage.

Hemi Ray and Menachem Genut implemented their findings in a unique device that determines the level of oxygen uptake in real-time, using portable biosensors and complex algorithms. These biosensors assess skin and sweat biomarkers related to O₂ consumption. Thus, the device independently monitors a person's condition during physical exertion and alerts them at the slightest deviations.

Neteera: Will Alert to the Risk of Sudden Death

Another Israeli startup, Neteera, presented its namesake development at the exhibition: a remote monitoring system for vital signs based on proprietary algorithms. The device, which resembles a miniature radar, attaches to clothing and measures pulse and heart rate variability while in motion, as well as determining the frequency and depth of breathing. The company's specialists are currently working to add a remote blood pressure measurement function to the device.

According to the developers, the portable device, which tracks key vital signs in real-time, can save its user's life and improve its quality by capturing alarming signals that the body sends. The company also notes that the device can be used by people of all ages. It is expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for distribution in the United States in the near future.

Barcode Diagnostics: Will Make Cancer Treatment Personalized

According to statistics, one in three cancer patients does not receive optimal treatment. One reason is the low accuracy in selecting anticancer drugs. A startup from Nazareth has taken on the challenge of solving this problem, proposing a radically new approach to developing therapeutic schemes. It is based on the principles of personalized medicine and involves the individual selection of medications through screening, which quickly and accurately assesses the effectiveness of each drug in fighting a specific patient's tumour.

This unique technology uses molecularly barcoded nanoparticles to test the effectiveness of several drugs at once. These nanoparticles selectively target cancer cells, and the barcodes serve as a marker to determine which drug is most effective against a specific tumour.

The company notes that their goal is to equip doctors with a new tool that will help them select the most effective treatment for each patient at different stages of the disease.

OrCam MyEye 2.0: Will Improve the Quality of Life for Visually Impaired People

The Israeli company OrCam presented an upgraded version of its revolutionary device – the portable MyEye device, which helps blind and visually impaired people better cope with everyday tasks. The technology is based on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analysis of large databases.

The miniature wireless MyEye 2.0 device, which easily attaches to the temple of glasses, allows people with visual impairments to see more and simplifies their interaction with the surrounding world. With its help, such individuals can read any texts, including those on computer and mobile phone screens, recognize faces, and identify products in stores.

A visually impaired person only needs to point to the desired object or run a finger over printed text, after which the built-in camera in the device will scan it. Once recognized, the device will vocalize what it sees, read the text or inscription. For example, if at a pedestrian crossing one points to a traffic light, the device will identify and announce which of its sections is lit. As of today, MyEye 2.0 is available in 36 countries worldwide in 20 languages.