LIFE SCIENCE
D-Medical Springs into Action in Sweden
Israeli medical device company, D Medical Industries (www.dmedicalindustries.com), has won a bid by the Västra Gotland region for its Spring Universal insulin infusion sets.
The company's proprietary spring-based insulin pumps continuously infuse measured amounts of insulin and constitute a cost-effective alternative to traditional motor and gear based pumps.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, distribution of the product in this region will generate US $2 million over the coming three years.
Teva-Active MS Pill passes Phase III Test
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (www.tevapharm.com) and its Swedish partner Active Biotech (www.activebiotech.com) have achieved positive results in the two-year Phase III clinical trial for their oral MS drug, Laquinimod.
Relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with 0.6 mg daily oral Laquinimod experienced a statistically significant reduction in their relapse rate compared to the control group. The drug also contributed to a reduction in disability progression.
Insuline Medical agreement
Israeli diabetes care company, Insuline Medical (www.insuline-medical.com), recently entered a pre-marketing clinical trail agreement with for its InsuPad device.
The InsuPad uses heat to expedite the absorption of injected insulin in the bloodstream, rendering the ejection more effective. The company completed an IPO in mid-2010.
Stem Cells to Get to the Heart of Heart Disease
Scientists at Israel’s Technion (www.technion.ac.il) have successfully transformed stem cells (iPS) to grow heart cells from a patient with an inherited heart disease, – a disease causing a patient’s pulse to rise suddenly, resulting in many cases in fainting spells.
The artificially induced heart cells replicate the malfunctioning heart and can be used to understand and expedite the discovery of new treatments for the disease.
Pluristem Therapeutics Green Light on Phase II/III Trials
Israeli stem cell therapy company, Pluristem Therapeutics (www.pluristem.com) received approval to conduct an advanced trial in Europe and the United States for its treatment of late-stage peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Also known as critical limb ischemia, PAD obstructs blood vessels, usually in the leg, causing pain, difficulty in walking and leading eventually to amputation. Pluristem will also commence a Phase II trial of its treatment for an earlier stage of the disease.
RETAIL
Israeli Designs “Lanvin for H&M”
Alber Elbaz, Israeli fashion designer and artistic director for Lanvin fashion house, created an exclusive fall collection for H&M which was unveiled last November in H&M stores throughout the planet, bringing edgy chic to the masses.
IKEA’s Second Israeli Store Boosts Sales
The opening of the second IKEA store (www.ikea.co.il) in Rishon LeZion last March has generated a 40% increase in 2010 sales over 2009. The number of visitors peaked to 3.5 million, an increase of 56%, while 4.5 million visited the online site - up 40% from 2009.
Welcome to Israel, Pandora
Pandora, the Danish jewelry chain, opened its first store in north Tel Aviv in the beginning of the year.
The ribbon was officially cut by Danish Ambassador H.E. Liselotte Plesner. The company specializes in silver charm bracelets with inter-changeable parts and will be opening several other stores in Israel soon.
Danish Roof Windows
After more than 20 years of installing roof windows, Aliat Gag now imports and represents Velux International, the Danish roof window manufacturer.
With showrooms in Nes-Ziona and Raanana and an agent in northern Israel. Aliat Gag gives complete support countrywide, including to earlier Velux clients.
The Velux Cambrio was introduced to the Israeli market by Aliat Gag at the CASA and Batim ve Mabatim exhibitions. Aliat Gag markets the entire Velux line including flat roofs.
TOURISM
Air Baltic Expands
Air Baltic (www.airbaltic.com) is expanding winter operations. New destinations from Riga include Kittila, Vaasa, Rovaniemi and Kuusamo, Finland, and Umea, Sweden. In addition, two new direct flights from Tallinn to Stockholm and from Oulu, Finland to Stockholm have been added. The company also announced that its service to Tel Aviv has been increased to five times a week.
Copenhagen Low-Cost Destination?
In 2010, Arkia Israel Airlines (www.arkia.com) dipped its toes into the pool of low-cost travel by offering limited numbers of low-cost tickets on its Paris and Amsterdam routes. This experiment expanded recently when Moscow and Kiev were added to the list of destinations. The company is considering adding 3-5 low-cost destinations, with Copenhagen mentioned as one possibility. Arkia will resume its seasonal Tel Aviv-Copenhagen route on July 4th.
Guests Electrify Copenhagen Hotel
The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers has found a way to let its guests light up the place - it has installed electricity-generating bicycles in its gym. Any guest producing 10 watt hours of electricity or more receives a free meal from the hotel management. The initiative is part of a year pilot project, which, if successful will be introduced at other Crowne Plaza properties. The hotel is the largest solar panel building in northern Europe with a 85 meter exterior and roof made up entirely of energy-absorbing panels.
Culinary Kudos for Nordic Noma
No wonder the Danes are the happiest people in the world - they have the best restaurant. Copenhagen’s Noma was voted the S. Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant for 2010, bringing a global spotlight on heretofore-understated Nordic cuisine. The secret ingredient? Innovation with just a dash of perfection.
Cimber Sterling Opens Copenhagen – Tel Aviv Route (PIC)
Danish low cost carrier, Cimber Sterling, (www.cimber.com) has begun operating a regular route 3 times a week between Copenhagen and Tel Aviv as of November 2010. Eastbound traffic leaves Copenhagen in the morning with a return flight from Tel Aviv in the afternoon.
Helsinki Going Guggenheim?
The City of Helsinki and the Solomon H. Guggenheim Foundation have agreed to a €2 m. study for building a new Guggenheim museum in Helsinki. The Guggenheim Foundation believes that Finland is poised to play a greater role on the international cultural scene, given the country’s vitality and recognized cultural accomplishments. One possible site for the museum is the waterfront property freed by the relocation of Helsinki’s cargo port.
TLV Tops the Tourism Charts (PIC)
Tel Aviv ranks high as an international tourist destination. National Geographic included Tel Aviv in its recent top-ten listing of beach cities, citing its 24-7 beach/café/night life and fun-seeking residents as the key to the city’s constant buzz. Independently, the Lonely Planet placed Tel Aviv third on its list of tourist destinations, calling it a “truly diverse 21st century Mediterranean hub".
