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 also showcased by Israeli startups. We discuss the most promising innovations.

YOPI: Will Determine Heart Attack Risk from 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 absorption by the myocardium is a key factor for optimal load. This indicator is individual for each person and depends on their physiology and fitness level. 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 have developed an alternative method for measuring the heart's oxygen absorption that does not require laboratory conditions. One of them, Hemi Ray, is an amateur athlete. During training, he monitored his heart rate with a heart rate monitor – the data indicated that his heart was healthy and capable of withstanding significant physical loads. However, several 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 he had mistaken for temporary loss of endurance.

This situation prompted him to reconsider his approach to 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 absorption. The fact is that during aerobic exercise, O₂ consumption significantly decreases. Monitoring this indicator can prevent heart attacks 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 absorption 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 the person's condition during physical activity 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 records heart rate variability while in motion, 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 recording 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 U.S. soon.

Barcode Diagnostics: Will Personalize Cancer Treatment

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 regimens. It is based on the principles of personalized medicine and involves the individual selection of medications through screening that quickly and accurately assesses the effectiveness of each drug against a specific patient's tumor.

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

The company notes that its 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 has presented an improved 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 text, including from computer and mobile phone screens, recognize faces, and identify products in stores.

A visually impaired person only needs to point at the desired object or run their finger over the printed text, after which the built-in camera in the device will scan it. After recognition, 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. Today, MyEye 2.0 is available in 36 countries worldwide in 20 languages.