One of the first projects selected as part of the collaboration is the development of a non-invasive home test for monitoring Maple Syrup Urine Disease. The selected projects will be funded by the British philanthropic fund Rosetrees Trust.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka Medical Center announced a strategic collaboration for the development of new medical technologies in the field of bioconvergence (the intersection of biology and technology, including computational technologies and engineering). The selected projects will be funded by the British philanthropic fund Rosetrees Trust. BGN Technologies, Ben-Gurion University's technology transfer company, will accompany the selected projects in terms of patent protection and business development to increase the chances of their future assimilation into industries.
One of the first projects selected as part of the program is led by Prof. Lital Alfonta of Ben-Gurion University's Department of Life Sciences and Dr. Orna Staretz-Chacham of the Metabolic Clinic, Pediatric Division, Soroka University Medical Center. The goal of the collaboration is to develop a non-invasive home test for immediate monitoring of the orphan disease called Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) (because of the smell of patients' urine that resembles that of maple syrup). This disease is common among Ashkenazi Jews and also exists among the Bedouin population in the South. MSUD is a severe genetic disease caused by a ketoacid dehydrogenase deficiency. The high blood levels of three amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) in MSUD can lead to life-threatening cerebral edema and dysmyelination. Children who suffer from the disease require a special diet that restricts the consumption of these amino acids. Today, these children's amino acid levels are monitored weekly at the hospital, and the results are received several days after testing. Prof. Alfonta is developing a technology based on bioelectrochemistry that combines the improvement of protein activity and the use of synthetic biology tools to create precise, specific sensors for the immediate monitoring of the relevant amino acids that will make it possible to give patients real-time nutritional recommendations and obviate the need for a weekly hospital visit. Moreover, today amino acid level testing is carried out during newborn examinations, so it will be possible to use the new method to test newborns and provide immediate results.
Prof. Raz Jelinek, Vice President and Dean for Research and Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: "The collaboration between Prof. Alfonta and Dr. Staretz-Chacham is an excellent example of the kind of breakthroughs that can be reached by combining the forces of a leading university and a leading medical center in the field of bioconvergence. Ben-Gurion University stands out in the landscape of Israeli academia for its unique combination of the fields of engineering and biopharmaceuticals. It is natural that we should combine our strengths in engineering with those of the medical school and the leading hospital, Soroka, which is located near us. By combining forces and talents, we will be able to develop groundbreaking solutions in the field of bioconvergence to address the significant challenges that face the healthcare system and the global pharmaceutical industry."
The collaboration between the two entities is in line with the vision of the Israel Innovation Authority and combines the excellence of Ben-Gurion University researchers in engineering fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data, as well as in the life sciences, with the leading medical knowledge and experience of Soroka's physicians. A joint team from the two institutions has mapped the medical needs that doctors encounter in their daily work at the hospital, on the one hand, and the existing challenges of the pharmaceutical and healthtech industries, on the other. In response to these needs, dedicated bioconvergence projects with high potential for application and future commercialization are currently being established. In these projects, research groups from Ben-Gurion University in the fields of engineering, biology, and medicine will connect with clinicians from Soroka.
Prof. Victor Novack, Head of the Research and Development Authority at Soroka and Director of Internal Medicine Department H: "At Soroka, we are guided by the goal of building and developing solutions for caregivers and patients to meet needs that arise in the field. We invite researchers to take part in [patient] visits and directly examine how the diagnosis and treatment processes are actually carried out There is a real need to sit together and define what needs to be improved safely and effectively in line with the paradigm of evidence-based medicine by collecting and analyzing data in depth in a way that will lead to real change in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and diverse medical conditions. As the sole medical center in the region, which serves some one million residents, in close cooperation with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, we have no choice but to lead. Leading in medicine is important, and in the twenty-first century, the innovative technological interface involved cannot be ignored. The technology, science, massive databases, and active multidisciplinary research at Soroka and the University together constitute our springboard to a healthier future."
Josh Peleg, CEO of BGN Technologies: "Beyond combining the disciplines and strengths of both institutions to create innovation in the field of bioconvergence, the collaboration is unique in its emphasis on creating applied technologies. The first step is the mapping of the current needs of medicine, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry, with which the researchers are approached and asked to find integrated solutions. The involvement of BGN Technologies from the initial stage of project selection will facilitate the maximum commercial feasibility of the inventions that receive funding. In addition, we will accompany each of the projects in terms of business development and patent protection support. Our job is to bridge the existing gap between academia and industry."
Bioconvergence is a multidisciplinary combination of biology and engineering, electronics, AI, computational biology, physics, nanotechnology, material science, and advanced genetic engineering. The combination of this field of biology and engineering is currently considered to be at the forefront of science and development in the field of medicine. The Israel Innovation Authority has prioritized the promotion of the field of bioconvergence through grants that will enable the growth and success of this field in Israel and the building of a competitive industry of high economic value and international importance.
About Soroka University Medical Center
Soroka University Medical Center of the Clalit Group provides advanced medical treatment of exceptional quality with a focus on patients and their needs. Soroka serves as a model for medical education and research. The hospital operates a clinical research center that combines the quality of leading academic researchers with the infrastructure of one of the most advanced medical organizations in the world. The medical center promotes innovation at the national and international levels and has taken part[HK1] in the establishment of Israel's first innovation district, located in Beer-Sheva. In the coming decade, the accelerated development of the hospital in terms of construction and infrastructure will continue, led by innovation processes and the development of advanced technological services in collaboration with the high-tech park in Beer-Sheva, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and international start-up companies. All these achievements and more are being realized thanks to the thousands of dedicated employees of Soroka, who work with a sense of mission and responsibility to promote the health of the residents of the Negev.
About BGN Technologies
BGN Technologies is the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). The company commercializes the inventions of BGU researchers and fosters collaborations and entrepreneurship among researchers and students. BGN Technologies has founded over 100 start-up companies in a wide variety of technological fields such as biopharmaceuticals, cyber, cleantech, medical devices, optics, and more. In addition, it has established technological incubators and accelerators in cooperation with leading bodies in the Israeli market. In the last decade, the company has created long-term partnerships with multinational companies such as Deutsche Telekom, Dell-EMC, PayPal, and Lockheed Martin, ensuring value and growth for Ben-Gurion University and the Negev. For more information, visit the BGN Technologies website.
