COVID-19 News and Updates

The Latest Updates from the Technion

Technion researchers and alumni are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with characteristic diligence and ingenuity. Here, you’ll find the latest updates about research and breakthroughs, straight from the Technion. We’ll update this page as soon as news becomes available, so please bookmark it and come back frequently.

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Press/News

Israel’s COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Show Signs of Taming Delta

U.S. News and World Report, 8/24/21

Why this matters: According to Israeli scientists, booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine are having an impact on COVID-19 infections, but say that other factors are also likely contributing to the decline. While the numbers are still very high, the very high increase in the rate of infections and severe cases has diminished, along with the pace at which the pandemic is spreading. Still, Prof. Dvir Aran, of the Technion Faculty of Biology, cautions that even though the boosters are slowing the pandemic’s pace, they are unlikely to entirely fend off the COVID-19 delta variant. He says that while cases are retreating, other measures are needed alongside boosters to stop the pandemic.
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Additional Articles

COVID-19: What Places the Elderly in Danger?

The Jerusalem Post, 8/14/21

Why this matters: Why are older people more vulnerable to COVID-19, and why are vaccines less effective in protecting them? Doctoral student Reem Dowery and Professor Doron Melamed, of the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine have discovered the answer, explored the aging process of the immune system, and presented ways to rejuvenate it.
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19-year-old Israeli Builds Prototype for Affordable Respirator

Israel Hayom, 8/11/21

Why this matters: “I didn’t accept it as predestination that people would have to die because there aren’t enough respirators.” Using 3D printing technology, Technion student Ahmed Saba created the components for a standard respirator. His dream is to collaborate with developing countries to fight the coronavirus pandemic and respiratory diseases.
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Salman Zarka Appointed as New Coronavirus Commissioner

Ynet, 7/14/21

Why this matters: Epidemiologist Dr. Salma Zarka has been named Israel’s new coronavirus commissioner by the country’s Ministry of Health. The Technion alumnus is also an expert in public health and public health administration.
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Fear of Math Could Be Hindering Ability to Interpret COVID-19 News

The Jerusalem Post, 6/30/21

Why this matters: A Technion study to discern the extent to which the average adult understands the quantitative information appearing in the news about COVID-19 showed that fear of math can significantly hinder one’s ability to engage with such information. The team from the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology was led by Professor Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim.
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Varied COVID Vaccination Rates May Lead to “Two Americas”

WebMD, 6/23/21

Why this matters: This article about the emergence of the new delta variant of the novel coronavirus, and how vaccination rates could ultimately determine where COVID-19 outbreaks occur, includes prominent mention of a study led by Technion Prof. Roy Kishony and master’s student Oren Milman. They found that for every 20% increase in the proportion of residents vaccinated, the rate of positive tests among unvaccinated people dropped approximately twofold. The researchers compared rates in unvaccinated teenagers and children younger than 16 years to vaccinated people 16 to 50 to years old. According to Milman, “The more people get vaccinated in a community, the more protected unvaccinated individuals in the same community seem to be. This protection is in addition to the high protection to the vaccinated themselves.”
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Widespread Vaccination of Adults Helps Protect Unvaccinated Children, According to a New Israeli Study

New York Times, 6/10/21

Why this matters: This New York Times article explains the encouraging findings from a COVID-19 vaccine rollout study co-led by Professor Roy Kishony. The data used in the study provides real-world evidence that widespread vaccination against the coronavirus can also protect people who are unvaccinated. According to the researchers, as more and more adults in a community got vaccinated, the share of children testing positive for the virus subsequently fell.
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Israeli Scientists Move Closer to Averting Immune Overreaction to COVID

Times of Israel, 6/9/21

Why this matters: Professor Debbie Yablonski and doctoral student Enas Hallumi, from the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, have deciphered the T-cell mechanism that plays a key role in control of the immune system, preventing it from “going haywire” following a false alarm. Their findings could lead to a method to halt “cytokine storms,” an immune overreaction that causes major inflammation and is believed to be the cause of many COVID-19 deaths.
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10 Serious COVID Patients Given Israeli Drug, Leave Hospital in One Day

ISRAEL21c, 5/31/21

Why this matters: Bonus BioGroup recently announced positive preliminary results of a Phase I trial for treating severely ill COVID-19 patients. The trial involved treating 10 Covid patients aged 45 to 75 hospitalized at Rambam Health Care Campus with Bonus BioGroup’s MesenCure drug. Without being treated with the MesenCure drug, the prognosis for these patients was a poor chance of recovery and low chance of survival. MesenCure has been found to reduce inflammation, promote the regeneration of the diseased lung tissue, and alleviate respiratory and other symptoms. Bonus BioGroup CEO Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus.
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What’s the Science Behind CDC’s Decision to Say Fully Vaccinate People Don’t Need Masks?

CNN Health, 5/14/21

Why this matters: This explainer article about the science behind the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s adjusted mask mandates includes a citation of Technion Professor Roy Kishony. He led a team that found vaccinated people who got infected had a lower viral load – fourfold lower than unvaccinated people.
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Israel: Protection Granted by Recovering from Coronavirus is on Par with Pfizer Jab, Nation-wide Study Finds

i24News, 4/26/21

Why this matters: Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 enjoy a level of protection similar to that of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, according to an Israel-wide study by researchers from the Technion, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and Sheba Medical Center. The data used by the researchers was collected between January 20 and March 20 of this year, and covered 4.6 million tests and 306,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19.
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Vaccines Shown to Protect Even Those Who Don’t Get Them – Israeli Study

The Times of Israel, 4/5/21

Why this matters: A joint study of data from thousands of patients in Israel shows that those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 present a viral load four times lower than those who are not. The level of viral load is one of the key elements affecting the ability of a virus carrier to pass on the disease, and the findings support the notion that those who are inoculated are unlikely to infect others. The study was led by Professor Roy Kishony and Dr. Idan Yelin of the Technion Faculty of Biology and the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering, along with Dr. Tal Patalon of the Maccabi Research and Innovation Center.
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Israeli Herd Immunity Redundant in Face of COVID Vaccination Drive, Experts Say

Haaretz, 3/29/21

Why this matters: Professor Dvir Aran, of the Technion Faculty of Biology, says reaching herd immunity may not be necessary for Israel to return to normal life. According to Prof. Aran’s machine learning models, two parameters are significant for predictive COVID-19 models. The first measures the rate of reproduction (R number), which signifies to the number of people each coronavirus patient infects on average without any means of protection. The second measures how effective vaccinations are in reducing infection levels among vaccinated people. According to Prof. Aran’s models, if the vaccines reduce the level of infection by 90 percent, it’s enough for Israel to vaccinate only 55 percent of its population to lower the R number below one – the point at which the number of new infections decreases and the pandemic would fade.
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Stanford Professor from Israel Creates a Fast, Portable COVID Test

J. – Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, 3/24/21

Why this matters: Visby Medical Founder and CEO Professor Adam de la Zerda’s recent “Live From Technion” webinar was covered by J., the Jewish News of Northern California. Visby’s revolutionary portable, single-use PCR testing platform for infections such as COVID-19 is the first to receive FDA authorization for use at the point of care. Prof. de la Zerda is a Technion alumnus.
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Quarantine-tracking Electronic Tags Ramp Up Production

ISRAEL21c, 3/11/21

Why this matters: After a successful pilot project at Ben-Gurion International Airport, digital identity solution company SuperCom is increasing production of its electronic bracelet COVID-19 quarantine solution. Travelers landing at the airport were given the option to home quarantine using the company’s PureCare technology suite that includes a GPS and Bluetooth-based mobile phone, an electronic bracelet, and an electronic home tag. SuperCom CTO Igor Merling is a Technion alumnus.
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Israel Vaccination “Green Pass” May Offer a Glimpse of a Post-COVID Future

CNN, 3/11/21

Why this matters: Technion Professor Ayalet Baram-Tsabari is quoted as an expert source in this article about Israel’s “green pass” certificate, which grants those who are fully vaccinated and/or who have recovered from COVID-19 access to activities like indoor dining, going to the gym or theater, and more. She believes the green pass will help convince those who may be otherwise hesitant to get vaccinated. Prof. Baram-Tsabari is a member of the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology.
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Tech Companies Partner on COVID-19 Test

Science & Enterprise, 2/25/21

Why this matters: NaNose Medical, founded by Technion Professor Hossam Haick, is partnering with artificial intelligence chip provider BrainChip Holdings Ltd. to develop a simple breath test for Covid-19 infections. Early findings show data from the NaNose sensors can be read and interpreted by a BrainChip neural processor to distinguish between exhaled breath samples of people with and without Covid-19 infections. Prof. Haick is the F.M.W. Academic Chair of the Technion’s Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering, a faculty member in the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, and an affiliated engineering faculty member in the Technion Integrated Cancer Center.
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Vocalis Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool Receives CE Mark

NoCamels, 2/18/21

Why this matters: Israeli startup Vocalis Health Inc., which uses artificial intelligence to analyze voice and identify illnesses, has received the EU’s CE Mark for its VocalisCheck COVID-19 screening tool. It is the first device to receive CE mark approval for the medically intended use of screening for COVID-19. Vocalis was founded by alumni Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan.
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What Other Countries Can Learn from Israel’s COVID Vaccine Rollout

ABC News, 2/21/21

Why this matters: Technion Professor Uri Shalit is extensively quoted in this article about the lessons that can be learned from Israel’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. He was part of a team comprised of researchers from the Technion, the Weizmann Institute, and Tel Aviv University that analyzed data from the Israeli Ministry of health on hospitalizations and PCR testing from March 2020 to February 2021.
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Israeli COVID Cure? Researchers Hope Peptide Treatment Could Slow Disease

The Jerusalem Post, 2/13/21

Why this matters: Israeli researchers have launched a Phase II study of a drug they believe could keep COVID-19 patients off ventilators speed their recoveries. The trial is being run by Rambam and Ziv Medical Centers, with researchers from both the Technion and Bar-Ilan University. At the center of the study is the use of a drug based on a naturally occurring peptide called angiotensin 1-7 to help counter the impact of COVID-19 on the lungs.
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Vaccine Reduces Spread Risk Even Before 2nd Shot, Israeli Study Indicates

***The Times of Israel*, 2/10/21**

Why this matters: New findings from a collaborative team from Macaabi Health Services and the Technion show that even after just the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, people who become infected with COVID-19 present a much lower transmission risk. According to the researchers, the vaccine appears to lower the viral load four-fold for infections occurring 12 to 28 days after the first of two doses.
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United Hatzalah Rolls Out Rapid COVID Tests with Israeli Biotech Startup Nanosynex

NoCamels, 1/21/21

Why this matters: Israeli emergency medical services organization United Hatzalah will soon be rolling out COVID-19 rapid diagnostic kits in partnership with Israeli biotech startup Nanosynex, as part of a pilot initiative to ramp up mass testing efforts affordably and efficiently.

Nanosynex’s diagnostic test, based on “microfluidic” features that require a smaller quantity of bacteria than other tests, determines which bacteria in a patient’s body are resistant to which antibiotics in just four hours. Co-founders Diane Abensur Bessin and Michelle Heyman are Technion alumnae, and the company’s microfluidic “chip” that is the basis of the Nanosynex kit was developed in the lab of Professor Shulamit Levenberg.
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The Futuristic Lighting System that Offers Disinfection and Wi-Fi

ISRAEL21c, 1/18/21

Why this matters: Israeli startup Juganu’s patented indoor lighting system, called J.Protect, is operated from an app, and offers continuous protection that inactivates 99.9% of pathogens, including SARS CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. This is important, since the SARS CoV-2 can survive up to 28 days on surfaces. J.Protect also works well against airborne pathogens, says Juganu CEO and Co-founder Eran Ben-Shmuel, a Technion alumnus.
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Technion Rolls Out Home-made Coronavirus Spit Tests on Campus

Times of Israel, 1/12/21

Why this matters: A rapid COVID-19 saliva test invented by Professor Naama Geva-Zatorsky of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine is now available for students, staff, and faculty at the Technion. Dubbed “NaorCov19,” the test rapidly diagnoses the SARS-CoV-2 virus from a saliva sample that is heated to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. It takes about 40 minutes to process, and dozens or even hundreds of samples can be processed simultaneously.
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The Coronavirus Vaccine is a Triumph of Science – Prof. Aaron Ciechanover

Ynet News, 12/20/20

Why this matters: In this opinion editorial, Technion Distinguished Professor and Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover writes that scientific research and experimentation does not depend on politicians or on the media. Given the proper physical conditions, he says, it functions according to the laws of science.
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COVID upended campus life. So why are some universities thriving?

Jewish News Syndicate, 12/16/20

Why this matters: In this opinion editorial piece, ATS CEO Michael Waxman-Lenz writes about how universities have thrived in the face of COVID-19.
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How Juganu’s Technological Innovation Will Shake Up How We Disinfect Surfaces

Authority Magazine, 12/13/20

Why this matters: Israeli startup Juganu’s patented indoor lighting system, called J.Protect, offers continuous protection that inactivates 99.9% of pathogens and can be operated remotely from an app. The system inactivates bacteria and viruses including SARS CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. This is important, since the virus can survive up to 28 days on surfaces. It also works well against airborne pathogens, says Juganu CEO and Co-founder Eran Ben-Shmuel, a Technion alumnus.
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Technion Team Wins Gold for Anti-COVID-19 Gel Technology

Israel 365 News, 12/2/20

Why this matters: A team of Technion students recently won a gold medal in the iGEM international synthetic biology competition for their research that could lead to the development of an active gel to capture COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 particles. Unlike existing sanitization products, the gel would provide active skin protection for hours and would not damage the skin microbiome.
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Israel Takes Crack at Sniffing Out COVID Outbreaks in People’s Poop

Times of Israel, 10/27/20

Why this matters: In the ongoing fight against COVID-19, the Technion has installed infrastructure across its student accommodations that automatically collects sewage samples every half-hour. By doing so, the University hopes to catch outbreaks before they spread across campus. The samples will be tested 2X/week a week, and the technology can trace any outbreaks to specific dormitories. Based on coronavirus trace levels, the researchers can also get a sense of how serious an outbreak is.
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Cover Up: 10 Innovative Types of Face Masks Developed in Israel

NoCamels, 10/22/20

Why this matters: This summary of 10 Israeli-created masks born during the COVID-19 pandemic includes three with Technion DNA. Professor Eyal Zussman’s “Maya” nanofiber sticker significantly improves the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19. Alumnus Dr. Noam Gavriely’s ViriMASK blocks 99.25% of coronavirus-sized particles. Professor Yair Ein-Eli’s reusable self-disinfecting, protective face mask works when a layer of carbon fibers in the mask that is heated using a low current source, such as a mobile phone charger.
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Screen Test: Coronavirus is Causing “Academic Darwinism” as Campuses Stay Closed

Times of Israel, 10/21/20

Why this matters: The effects of lockdowns and virtual learning on universities are hardest on first year students. That is the opinion of Professor Danny Raz, vice dean for teaching in the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science at the Technion, who says incoming freshman have not yet learned how to study, and “have not experienced what university means.” According to Prof. Raz, the longer the coronavirus persists and studies remain virtual, the bigger the impact will be.
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Slowest Part of COVID Tests “Eliminated” with Israeli Single-molecule Method

ISRAEL21c, 10/12/20

Why this matters: Technion researchers led by Professor Amit Meller of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering have developed a novel method for rapid and accurate sensing of COVID-19 without the need to rely on PCR amplification. PCR testing requires large quantities of special reagents, expensive laboratory equipment, and highly trained professionals, and recent studies have shown that test results can change from one day to the next and that the massive amplification process can generate significant errors. The new technique can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a sample by counting and quantifying the virus’ RNA molecules with single-molecule precision.
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On-the-go Coronavirus Test Maker Gets NIH Contract to Scale Up Production

CNBC, 10/9/20

Why this matters: Visby, the company whose portable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test kit was recently granted emergency use authorization by the FDA, has received a $10 million contract from the National Institute of Health to boost production capacities for a rapid PCR coronavirus test. The palm-sized kit provides reliable results within 30 minutes. PCR works by controlled heating or cooling of samples in the presence of specially designed enzymes, creating billions of copies of the desired genetic material. Without the replicating process, samples with a small viral load, such as those collected from an asymptomatic COVID-19 carrier, would not be detected. For that reason, PCR is considered a mandatory standard in tests meant to provide a diagnosis. Visby Founder and CEO Adam de la Zerda is a Technion alumnus.
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Study: People with ADHD More Likely to Recover from COVID-19

Israel Hayom, 10/7/20

Why this matters: Dr. Miryam Kerner of the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and researchers from Western Galilee College, the Hebrew University, and Netanya Academic College recently studied at the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults in 54 areas in the United States and compared it to the COVID-19 morbidity, recovery, and mortality rates in those areas. They found that patients were more likely to recover in states where ADHD is relatively common, and hypothesize that when it comes to recovering from COVID-19, ADHD might provide an evolutionary “edge.”
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Israel Targeting Local Production of Visby’s Portable COVID-19 PCR Test Kits

CTech by Calcalist, 10/4/20

Why this matters: Visby, the company whose portable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test kit was recently granted emergency use authorization by the FDA, is aiming to have the kits made in Israel. The palm-sized kit provides reliable results within 30 minutes. PCR works by controlled heating or cooling of samples in the presence of specially designed enzymes, creating billions of copies of the desired genetic material. Without the replicating process, samples with a small viral load, such as those collected from an asymptomatic COVID-19 carrier, would not be detected. For that reason, PCR is considered a mandatory standard in tests meant to provide a diagnosis. Visby Founder and CEO Adam de la Zerda is a Technion alumnus.
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5 Severe COVID Patients Cured by Experimental Drug

ISRAEL21c, 10/1/20

Why this matters: A clinical trial of Enlivex’s experimental immunotherapy drug Allocetra on five COVID-19 intensive care patients has produced promising results. Engineered from healthy human donor cells, Allocetra treats organ dysfunction and acute multiple organ failure associated with sepsis and Covid-19, as well as solid tumors, by rebalancing the immune system following a cytokine storm. Enlivex Chief Scientific and Medical Officer Professor Dror Mevorach, M.D. is a Technion alumnus. A larger Phase II clinical trial is planned, subject to regulatory approval.
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Self-service Instant COVID Test to be Piloted at European Airports

Israel21C, 9/23/20

Why this matters: A one-second diagnostic test for COVID-19 is being installed at two European airports as part of a pilot project. The test requires passengers to gargle with a special mouthwash, and then spit in a tube. It then uses spectrometer-on-a-chip technology to detect viruses almost instantaneously by analyzing light wavelengths in the saliva sample. The test was developed by Newsight Imaging and Sheba Medical Center. Newsight Co-founder and CTO Eyal Yatskan is a Technion alumnus.
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Researchers: No Basis to Compare Infections at Protests, Synagogues

Times of Israel, 9/23/20

Why this matters: Technion Faculty of Mathematics Professor Nir Gavish co-authored a letter to the Israeli Government to dispute a recent comparison made between COVID-19’s spread at demonstrations and at Yom Kippur prayers. According to Prof. Gavish and co-author Gal Alon, 100 times as many Israelis would be exposed at outdoor services than at the weekly rallies currently being held against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the researchers’ analysis, a week of protests generates 360,000 contacts between people, while two prayer services on Yom Kippur would create 37 million encounters. An average school day around the country tallies 43 million contacts, and one workday generates 144 million.
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Defeating Corona: Listen to the Science

JPost, 9/23/20

Why this matters: In order to defeat COVID-19, we must listen to scientists and do what they say. So says Dr. Noam Gavriely, a Technion alumnus and former Technion professor, in two recent detailed scientific reports. Among his findings are that the novel coronavirus is a much more dangerous disease than the seasonal flu, and that commercial airline flights are very risky. Dr. Gavriely and co-author Dr. Pinchas Halpern, until recently head of emergency medicine at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, also list questions that must be considered in the conversation about possible school and business re-openings.
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FDA Approves Visby’s Portable COVID-19 PCR Test Kits for Emergency Use

Algemeiner, 9/18/20

Why this matters: The U.S. FDA recently granted emergency use authorization for a portable Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test kit made by Israel’s Visby Medical. The palm-sized kit provides reliable results within 30 minutes. PCR works by controlled heating or cooling of samples in the presence of specially designed enzymes, creating billions of copies of the desired genetic material. Without the replicating process, samples with a small viral load, such as those collected from an asymptomatic COVID-19 carrier, would not be detected. For that reason, PCR is considered a mandatory standard in tests meant to provide a diagnosis. Visby Founder and CEO Adam de la Zerda is a Technion alumnus.
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Israeli Researchers Discovering How Stress Affects Fight Against COVID-19

South Florida Sun Sentinel, 9/16/20

Why this matters: Professor Asya Rolls, of the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, is studying how stress may affect the body’s ability to fight off disease. Her findings could provide critical insights about how COVID-19 affects the nervous system, and vice versa, which could help millions around the world struggling with the disease.
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N95 Masks Could Soon be Rechargeable Instead of Disposable

TechCrunch, 9/14/20

Why this matters: N95 masks use both mechanical filtering, in which particles are caught in a matrix of microscopic fibers, and electrostatic filtering, in which particles are attracted to surfaces that carry a static charge. The combination makes N95s very effective, but the electrostatic charge dissipates after time as air and moisture pass over it. And while decontamination via UV or high temperature will disinfect the mask, it will not restore the electrostatic charge that acted as a second barrier to entry. Professor Dov Levine, of the Technion Faculty of Physics, is working with researchers from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India on N95 masks that continually “recharge” themselves. Since the currents required are extremely small, a large battery would not be required.
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Surprising Israeli Study: The Immune System of Cancer Patients Copes Better with COVID-19

ISRAEL21c, 9/6/20

Why this matters: A study by researchers at the Technion and the Rambam Health Care Campus has yielded surprising results about cancer patients and COVID-19. The team’s findings suggest cancer patients not only have no higher risk than the general population, but changes to the immune system as a result of cancer treatments may give them even more protection from the most severe COVID-19 symptoms.
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Breathalyzer Test Developed

The Week, 8/25/20

Why this matters: Professor Hossam Haick and Dr. Yoav Broza of the Technion’s Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, in collaboration with researchers from China, have devised a novel 30-second breath analyzer test to detect COVID-19. The test is based on Prof. Haick’s longstanding work on an artificially intelligent nanoarray for inexpensive, fast, non-invasive detection of diseases via exhaled breath. If everything goes well with further clinical studies, the technology could be available and regulated within six months, at a cost of $2 to $3 per test. Prof. Haick holds the F.M.W. Academic Chair in the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering.
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Israeli Anti-viral Protective Stickers for Surgical Masks Go Into Mass Production

NoCamels, 8/18/20

Why this matters: Professor Eyal Zussman’s “Maya” nanofiber sticker, which significantly improves the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19, is now being mass produced. The Technion recently reached an agreement with the Dykam paper plant in Kibbutz Ein Harod, and Dykam is turning out 5,000 stickers per day, with plans to increase production to one million per month. The agreement will make the innovative sticker available to medical staff and the general public. Exclusivity agreements are already in place for Canada, Japan, and Spain. The masks are not yet available in the United States. Maya has already been approved by the authorities in Israel, and is being fast-tracked for approval by the FDA and in the EU.
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Pandemic Increased Risks to NYC Home Health Workers

Cornell Chronicle, 8/4/20

Why this matters: Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Professor Nicola Dell was the senior author on a recent paper that found home health care workers in New York City faced increased risks top their physical, mental, and financial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the findings provide the first rigorous analysis of home health care workers’ experiences during the pandemic. They also highlight the inequities faced by an already vulnerable and marginalized workforce and suggest that interventions and policies to protect them are urgently required.
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‘Mental Health Pandemic’: A Coronavirus Side Effect

The Jerusalem Post, 7/31/20

Why this matters: According to experts, nearly five months after the start of the COVID-19 crisis, there is now a mental health pandemic of depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress and even suicide. One of those experts is Professor Daniel Orenstein, head of the Technion Socio-Ecological Systems Research Group, who says the extreme psychological impact from people being scared, alone, or not being in physical contact with one another is in some ways more severe than COVID-19 itself.
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Surveillance Scheme Hunts for COVID Traces in Israel’s Sewers

New York Times, 7/30/20

Why this matters: Using the Internet of Things (IoT), original algorithms, and artificial intelligence, Israeli startup Kando, the Technion, and Ben-Gurion University have launched a pilot project to detect traces of the novel coronavirus in the wastewater of Ashkelon. Kando allows experts to pinpoint specific areas affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, enabling responses and potentially avoiding total lockdown in the event of a second wave of the coronavirus in Israel.
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New Israeli Mask Claims to Offer Best Protection Yet Against Coronavirus

Times of Israel, 7/30/20

Why this matters: Dr. Noam Gavriely, a Technion alumnus and former Technion professor, has invented a mask that blocks 99.25% of coronavirus-sized particles. Dr. Gavriely says his ViriMASK offers a significant improvement over the N95 masks, which are meant to filter at least 95% of airborne particles, and are widely seen as the best currently available option.
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How IsraeIi Scientists are Improving Corona Testing

ISRAEL21c, 7/27/20

Why this matters: This overview article about Israeli advances in COVID-19 testing includes four with Technion DNA. Vocalis is collecting voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Doing so will allow for rapid and early screening and diagnosis of COVID-19. Vocalis was founded by alumni Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan. Professor Naama Geva-Zatorsky is leading a research team developing a rapid test kit that would enable people to be quickly and inexpensively tested for the coronavirus, without the need for elaborate lab equipment. The kit, which is 99% accurate, has successfully identified the virus in saliva samples, which unlike swab tests, do not require expertise. Led by Professor Roy Kishony, researchers at the Technion and Rambam Health Care Campus are undergoing a final validation of their pooled testing method, which would dramatically increase testing capacity and speed. They hope the test will be available for widespread use by winter, when people could be suffering from a second wave of coronavirus, or a combination of COVID-19 and the flu. Prof. Kishony is the Marilyn and Henry Taub Chair in Life Sciences, and the director of the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering. Newsight Imaging is beginning a pilot of its Spectrometer-on-Chip rapid Covid-19 test at Sheba Medical Center. The company claims the computer mouse-sized device can detect viruses in a blood serum or saliva sample in less than a second. Co-founder and CTO Eyal Yatskan is a Technion alumnus.
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Finding Clues to the COVID Outbreak in Our Sewage

ISRAEL21c, 7/26/20

Young Professor Combines Aliyah, COVID-19 Into Breakthrough

The Jerusalem Post, 7/25/20

Why this matters: Professor Joachim Behar, head of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Lab in the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, and student Jeremy Levy have developed a set of algorithms to analyze the information gleaned from the physiological time series of oximeters increasingly being used during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The algorithms could lead to better monitoring of ICU patients and allow doctors to more accurately predict when a patient is starting to deteriorate, allowing for earlier intervention in their treatment.
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4 Israeli Inventions that Can Clean the Air of COVID-19

ISRAEL21c, 7/20/20

Why this matters: Findings by Technion Professor Ido Kaminer and an international research team are included in this overview of inventions to purify the air in indoor spaces. The team studied various methods to prevent coronavirus contagion in indoor spaces, and based on their findings, are advocating the use of ultraviolet light as a “particularly efficient, easily deployable, and economically affordable” way to inactivate the virus. Prof. Kaminer is a member of the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Solid State Institute, and affiliated with the Helen Diller Center for Quantum Science, Matter, and Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute.
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Could These Israeli Sprays Prevent COVID-19 Infection?

ISRAEL21c, 7/14/20

Why this matters: A nasal spray under development by Israeli startup BioChange could be used to prevent COVID-19 infection. The company’s “Bio-Wall” forms a temporary flexible film over the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and oral cavity, and antiviral components in the bio-adhesive matrix trap and block virii for several hours. Bio-Wall will be clinically tested in six to eight months, and could get CE and FDA approval as a Class II medical device as soon as the third quarter of 2021. BioChange Founder, CEO, and Chairman Ishay Attar is a Technion alumnus.
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Technion-Rambam Rapid Corona Testing Undergoing Final Validation

The Jerusalem Post, 7/16/20

Why this matters: Researchers at the Technion and Rambam Health Care Campus are undergoing a final validation of their “pooling” test, which would dramatically increase testing capacity and speed. They hope the test will be available for widespread use by winter, when people could be suffering from a second wave of coronavirus, or a combination of COVID-19 and the flu. The team is led by Technion Professor Roy Kishony, the Marilyn and Henry Taub Chair in Life Sciences, and the director of the Lorry I. Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering.
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Israeli Technology that Can Sniff Out Coronavirus Infections Undergoing Trials

The Jerusalem Post, 7/1/20

Why this matters: Nanoscent is using nanosensor technology and AI to detect COVID-19 through breath samples. In tests, patients blow air through their nose into a plastic bag fitted with sensor chips that can electronically pick up on scents emitted by COVID-19 – diagnosing the patient in half a minute, and allowing for early detection of the virus in a world where the current methods take hours at best. Co-founder and CEO Dr. Oren Gavriely is a Technion alumnus.
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13 Promising COVID Treatments Emerging from Israel

ISRAEL 21c, 7/6/20

Why this matters: Six of the promising COVID-19 treatments in this article have Technion DNA. Pluristem Therapeutics’ PLX cells are an injected regenerative placenta-derived cell therapy that potentially reduces the incidence and/or severity of Covid-19 pneumonia and pneumonitis. It has been cleared by the FDA for a Phase II study in the treatment of severe COVID-19 cases complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Pluristem founder Dr. Shai Meretzki and CEO and President Yaky Yanai are Technion alumni. CannaSoul Analytics is developing a proprietary terpene formulation for modulating cytokine storms. Terpenes are organic compounds found in cannabis and other plants. Studies suggest they can be effective antiviral agents. CannaSoul’s CSO and Chairman, Professor Dedi Meiri, leads the Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research in the Technion Faculty of Biology. For more about bout Prof. Meiri’s research, check out page 20 of the new issue of Technion USA. Kamada, an Israeli biopharmaceutical company, has completed manufacturing the first batch of a plasma-derived immunoglobulin (IgG) product for treating COVID-19. Kamada CEO Amir London is a Technion alumnus. Bonus BioGroup has completed a preliminary study of a new mesenchymal stem cell-based drug to treat acute and life-threatening respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients. The drug has been found to reduce inflammation, promote the regeneration of the diseased lung tissue, and alleviate respiratory and other symptoms in laboratory and animal models. Bonus BioGroup CEO Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus. Professor Marcelle Machluf, dean of the Technion Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, is adapting her successful NanoGhost technology to create decoy NanoGhosts that attract and entrap the coronavirus, making for a less severe infection. Enlivex’s Allocetra is a novel immunotherapy medication to treat organ dysfunction and acute multiple organ failure associated with sepsis and Covid-19, as well as solid tumors. Allocetra rebalances a severely unbalanced immune system by engaging with the immune system’s own regulation mechanisms. Founder and Chief Science and Medical Officer Dror Mevorach is a Technion alumnus.
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Their Best Shots: Israeli Efforts to Invent a Coronavirus Vaccine, Explained

Times of Israel, 6/30/20

Why this matters: This overview of vaccine-related projects underway in Israel includes mention of research being conducted by Professor Avi Schroeder, and by Israel’s Migal Galilee Research Institute. Former Technion President, Professor Yitzhak Apeloig, is on the Migal Board of Directors. Its scientific advisory committee includes Nobel laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Professor Gadi Schuster, and Professor Moshe Shoham.
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The Ideal Mobile Platform to Manage Restaurants in the New Post COVID-19 World

California Business Journal, 6/29/20

Why this matters: Tabit Technologies develops restaurant management software that leverages mobile connectivity to streamline restaurant operations, extends sales opportunities, and elevates the experience for both operators and their customers. According to the company, everything is on one screen, in a command-and-control interface that is simple to use even for those not comfortable with tech. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology made it possible for Tabit to convert 600 customers into exclusively takeout and delivery in less than two days. President and Co-founder Nadav Solomon is a Technion alumnus.
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Israel Wields Startup Tech Against Coronavirus Second Wave

The Times of Israel, 6/26/20

Why this matters: Israel is enlisting the help of innovative tech startups in hopes of stemming a second wave of COVID-19. Among the companies listed are three with Technion DNA. Diagnostic Robotics, an AI-based remote screening platform being used by Israel to monitor the spread of the COVID-19. The company was co-founded by Technion alumni Jonathan Amir, Dr. Kira Radinsky, and Professor Moshe Shoham. AnyVision uses a heat-tracking system to monitor adherence to mask-wearing protocols in medical facilities. CEO Eylon Etshtein is a Technion alumnus. And Datos Health’s remote care platform can be used to automatically monitor coronavirus patients. Founder and CEO Uri Bettesh is a Technion alumnus.
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Ultraviolet Light Can Reduce COVID Transmission Indoors

The Jerusalem Post, 6/23/20

Why this matters: Technion Professor Ido Kaminer is part of an international research team that, having studied various methods to prevent coronavirus contagion in indoor spaces, and based on their findings, are advocating the use of ultraviolet light as a “particularly efficient, easily deployable, and economically affordable” way to inactivate the virus. Prof. Kaminer is a member of the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Solid State Institute, and affiliated with the Helen Diller Quantum Center and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute.
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10 Technology Trends Emerging During the COVID Pandemic

ISRAEL21c, 6/23/20

Why this matters: A panel of experts at a recently held virtual OurCrowd conference believe there are 10 top trends that will come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them are diagnostic testing that doesn’t take place in labs or clinics, with Israeli startup MeMed cited as an example of such technology. MeMed’s 15-minute protein measurement test, which distinguishes viral from bacterial infections, might enhance COVID-19 care. MeMed Co-founder and CEO Eran Eden and Co-founder and CTO Kfir Oved are Technion alumni. Otonomo, which is cited in the “data sharing” category, is a data services platform for autonomous and connected cars. The company’s car data services platform takes in automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data, then reshapes, enriches, and protects it so companies can develop a host of apps and services for fleets, smart cities, and individual consumers. Otonomo Co-founder Avner Cohen is a Technion alumnus. And Israeli food tech startup Yofix is featured under “healthy eating.” Yofix makes vegan and soy-free fermented plant-based prebiotic and probiotic dairy alternatives to yogurts. The products have no added sugars, preservatives, thickeners, or colors. Yofix COO and Founder Ronen Lavee is a Technion alumnus.
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Israel Okays Plasma-derived Drug for Compassionate Use

ISRAEL21c, 6/22/20

Why this matters: Kamada, an Israeli biopharmaceutical company, has completed manufacturing the first batch of a plasma-derived immunoglobulin (IgG) product for treating COVID-19. Israel has approved it for compassionate use. The company expects to begin a Phase 1/2 clinical trial later this year, and has already submitted its proposed clinical protocol to the Ministry of Health. Kamada has also partnered with Kedrion Biopharma, an Italy-headquartered company with a facility in the United States, to seek approval from the FDA for a proposed clinical development program. Kamada CEO Amir London is a Technion alumnus.
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Self-Cleaning Mask Can Kill Viruses With Heat From Phone Charger, Researchers Say

The New York Times, 6/17/20

Why this matters: Led by Professor Yair Ein-Eli, researchers from the Technion Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering have developed a self-disinfecting, reusable protective face mask. The disinfection process occurs when a layer of carbon fibers in the mask is heated using a low current source, such as a mobile phone charger. A patent application for the invention has been submitted in the U.S. This Reuters article appeared in The New York Times, Yahoo! News, Tech Times, and others.
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AI Medical Analytics Startup Clew Gets Emergency FDA Nod for COVID-19 Solution

No Camels, 6/16/20

Why this matters: CLEW Medical’s algorithm collects data from emergency care monitoring devices and alerts the medical team to any deterioration in a patient’s condition. The technology could point out a patient in danger 6-12 hours before their condition starts to worsen, enabling caregivers to prepare in advance. CLEW’s founder, Avigdor Faians, is a Technion alumnus.
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10 Technologies that Will Make Our Hospitals Safer Post-COVID

ISRAEL21c, 6/11/20

Why this matters: Two of the 10 items in this roundup of tech that will make hospitals safer in the wake of COVID-19 have Technion DNA. AnyVision tracks and monitors adherence to mask-wearing protocols in medical facilities. CEO Eylon Etshtein is a Technion alumnus. Tamar Robotics’ NIV Greenhouse in a Hood is a protective patient hood for use in hospitals. It prevents the spread of COVID-19 and protects medical teams when applying non-invasive ventilation therapy for patients. Professor Moshe Shoham is co-founder of Tamar Robotics, and the Technion is one of the company’s investors.
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Technion Delves Deeper Into Oximetric Data to Improve COVID-19 Treatment

The Jerusalem Post, 6/10/20

Why this matters: Led by Professor Joachim Behar, head of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Lab in the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, researchers from the Technion and Rambam Health Care Campus have developed a set of algorithms to analyze the information gleaned from the physiological time series of oximeters increasingly being used during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The algorithms could lead to better monitoring of ICU patients and allow doctors to more accurately predict when a patient is starting to deteriorate, allowing for earlier intervention in their treatment.
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Israeli Firm Advances 15-minute Diagnostic Test for Covid-19

ISRAEL21c, 6/7/20

Why this matters: Israeli startup MeMed is working with hospitals to determine how its 15-minute protein measurement test, which distinguishes viral from bacterial infections, might enhance Covid-19 care. The technology could be used to move beyond diagnosis of a viral or bacterial infection, and to determine potential severity of the infection. It could also show which individuals are going to suffer from a mild infection, and which are likely to require hospitalization. MeMed Co-founder and CEO Eran Eden and Co-founder and CTO Kfir Oved are Technion alumni.
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Israeli Firm Using IoT to Detect COVID-19 Launches Pilot Program in Ashkelon

No Camels, 6/7/20

Coronavirus is Changing the Way We Share Research. That’s a Good Thing.

The Jerusalem Post, 6/6/20

Why this matters: In this op-ed written for The Jerusalem Post, American Technion Society CEO Michael Waxman-Lenz shares his thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new culture of research around the globe, with scientists breaking down borders and cooperating in new and innovative ways.
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Israeli “Clean Meat” Startups for Post-COVID Shortages

ISRAEL21c, 6/4/20

Why this matters: With meat suppliers now experiencing significant COVID-19-related disruptions, this overview article highlights five Israeli companies developing alternatives to traditional meat sources. The first company listed is Aleph Farms, the clean meat startup based on the research of Professor Shulamit Levenberg, dean of the Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and holder of the Stan and Sylvia Shirvan Chair in Cancer and Life Sciences.
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Israeli Tech’s Response to COVID-19 Offers Lessons to the World – Report

The Jerusalem Post, 6/4/20

Why this matters: According to a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Israel’s hi-tech sector’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has produced a unique variety of solutions and could offer important lessons to the world. Among the examples cited are Diagnostic Robotics, an AI-based remote screening platform being used by Israel to monitor the spread of the COVID-19, and Air-Shield, a device that dramatically improves the efficacy of protective masks worn by COVID-19 medical staff. Diagnostic Robotics was co-founded by Technion alumni Jonathan Amir, Dr. Kira Radinsky, and Professor Moshe Shoham. Air-Shield was created by Professor Ezri Tarazi, chair of the Industrial Design Program and head of the Design-Tech Lab at the Technion.
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COPD Innovation May Keep COVID Patients Off Ventilators

ISRAEL21C, 6/1/20

Why this matters: Originally created for the treatment of COPD, Respinova’s Pulsehaler is now being tested for use as a complementary therapy for treating moderate COVID-19 patients. Pulsehaler’s technology could improve oxygenation, reduce the thick mucus and the risk of secondary infection, and help avoid deterioration to a state requiring mechanical ventilator support. Respinova Founder and CTO Yuval Avni is a Technion alumnus.
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Hospital ‘ICU of the future’ prepares Israel for second corona wave

ISRAEL21c, 5/27/20

Why this matters: The Technion’s DNA was evident when Israel’s Sheba Hospital recently unveiled what it calls the ICU room of the future. The room features 11 technologies that integrate sensing, monitoring, AI, communication, augmented reality and robotic technologies to maximize care and comfort while minimizing risk to staff. Among them are AnyVision, which tracks and monitors adherence to mask-wearing protocols in medical facilities. AnyVision CEO Eylon Etshtein is a Technion alumnus. Vocalis is collecting voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Doing so will allow for rapid and early screening and diagnosis of COVID-19. Vocalis was founded by alumni Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan. CLEW Medical’s algorithm collects data from emergency care monitoring devices and alerts the medical team to any deterioration in a patient’s condition. The technology could point out a patient in danger 6-12 hours before their condition starts to worsen, enabling caregivers to prepare in advance. CLEW’s founder, Avigdor Faians, is a Technion alumnus.
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Creativity Vs. Corona – Israeli Innovation to Fight the Pandemic

The Jerusalem Report, 3/27/20

Why this matters: Written by Shlomo Maital of the Technion’s Samuel Neaman Institute, this article is focused on the remarkable outpouring of ideas and breakthroughs from academia and industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the examples of Israeli ingenuity cited is the development by Professor Josué Sznitman and Yan Ostrovski of an innovative technology that could dramatically improve the efficacy of existing drugs for treating Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Also receiving prominent mention are Technion alumni-founded companies Vocalis and Diagnostic Robotics. Vocalis is collecting voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Vocalis founders Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan are all Technion alumni. Diagnostic Robotics, co-founded by Technion alumni Jonathan Amir, Dr. Kira Radinsky, and Professor Moshe Shoham, is an AI-based remote screening platform being used by Israel to monitor the spread of the COVID-19.
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Researchers Develop Self-cleaning Face Mask Which Could Kill Coronavirus

The Telegraph, 05/26/20

Additional articles about self-disinfecting protective face mask: Times of Israel, 5/25/20, The Jerusalem Post, 5/25/20, ISRAEL21c, 5/26/20

Israel Develops Long-lasting Antiviral Polymers to Kill Coronavirus Instead of Bleach

Breaking News Israel, 5/17/20

Why this matters: A team led by Professor Shady Farah, of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering, is developing disinfectant polymer materials with strong antiviral properties for the protection of surfaces where COVID-19 can linger. The polymers are highly stable macromolecules designed to have long-lasting disinfecting qualities. The antiviral polymers can be used in hospitals, schools, transportation systems, homes, and more.
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Could this Israeli Coronavirus Drug “Completely Prevent” Lung Damage?

The Jerusalem Post, 5/13/20

Why this matters: Haifa-based Bonus BioGroup has completed a preliminary study of a new mesenchymal stem cell-based drug to treat acute and life-threatening respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients. MesenCure, which consists of activated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) isolated from the fat-storing tissue of healthy donors, was found to reduce inflammation, promote the regeneration of the diseased lung tissue, and alleviate respiratory and other symptoms in laboratory and animal models. According to the company, it will still be quite some time until the drug undergoes trials. Bonus BioGroup CEO Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus. He is also the founder of Pluristem Therapeutics.
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Israeli Researchers Develop Simulator for Coronavirus Exit Strategy

The Jerusalem Post, 5/13/20

Why this matters: Technion researchers and the Israeli government are working together to develop an economy-focused simulator aimed at helping decision-makers implement a successful exit strategy from the COVID-19 lockdown. Developed by a team led by Professors Nir Gavish and Omri Barak, of the Technion’s Applied Mathematics Program, the simulator is designed to have a user-friendly interface linking policies and cost indices in both the short and long term.
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As Pandemic Keeps Students at Home, Israeli Startup Keeps Training Doctors

The Jerusalem Post, 5/13/20

Why this matters: COVID-19 has forced universities to switch to remote learning, causing many disruptions, especially to laboratories and practical courses. But medical students at the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine have continued their training on computer-generated patients, thanks to a company called Virtual Patient. The company was established by CEO Adam Baruch, an IT expert, and Professor Arie Oliven, of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine.

The system has been fully employed for years at the Technion, and the company is also in discussions with several faculties of medicine in the US, Canada, and Poland.
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As Meat Shortages Spread Globally, These 6 Startups Offer Some Alternative Cuts

CTECH, 05/10/20

Why this matters: With meat suppliers now experiencing significant COVID-19-related disruptions, this overview article highlights six Israeli companies developing alternatives to traditional meat sources. The list includes Aleph Farms, the clean meat startup based on the research of Professor Shulamit Levenberg, dean of the Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and holder of the Stan and Sylvia Shirvan Chair in Cancer and Life Sciences. Also mentioned is Redefine Meat, which is developing a formulation from plant-based ingredients that can mimic the muscle structure, fat, and blood of a steak. Product Manager Alexey Tomsov is a Technion alumnus.
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Israeli Army’s Idea Lab Aims at a New Target: Saving Lives

New York Times, 5/7/20

Why this matters: This New York Times article covers the shift of the role of the Israel Ministry of Defense, from defender of the country to the leader of a sprawling, high-speed effort to unleash some of the country’s most advanced technologies against COVID-19. The national undertaking is for the first time linking up major hospitals and research institutes with Israel’s high-tech sector, its military-industrial behemoths, and more. Among the companies with Technion DNA mentioned in the piece are Vocalis, which is collecting voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Doing so will allow for rapid and early screening and diagnosis of COVID-19. Vocalis was founded by alumni Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan. Dr. Eyal Zimlichman, the featured speaker from the May 7 Live From Technion webinar, is quoted in the article. NanoScent, which is using nanosensor technology and AI to detect COVID-19, was co-founded by CEO Dr. Oren Gavriely, who is a Technion alumnus. The technology is based on the research of Professor Hossam Haick, who is the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. AnyVision, which tracks and monitors adherence to mask-wearing protocols in medical facilities, was founded by its CEO, Eylon Etshtein, a Technion alumnus.
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New Method of Separating Particles Could Lead to Improved COVID-19 Test

The Jerusalem Post, 5/7/20

Why this matters: The microfluidics research of Professor Moran Bercovici could lead to point-of-care testing to detect the coronavirus. A team led by Prof. Bercovici, head of the Microfluidic Technologies Laboratory in the Technion Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, has developed methods for direct detection of biomarkers, without requiring time-consuming sample cleanup and amplification. They are now applying these methods to detecting the coronavirus, with the aim of creating a test that could be completed, from sample to answer, in minutes.
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Daily Beast: Could This Shortcut Be the Answer to Mass COVID Testing?

Daily Beast, 5/6/20

Why this matters: A method developed by Technion and Rambam Hospital researchers for simultaneously testing multiple samples for COVID-19 is featured in this article about how authorities can accomplish the widescale testing needed to get ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. The method, which has been successfully tested at Rambam, will dramatically increase the current COVID-19 testing capacity using existing available resources.
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Israel Defense Firm Helps Hospitals Fight Global Pandemic

JNS, 5/5/20

Why this matters: Normally tasked with producing cutting-edge defense products that include the Iron Dome air-defense system, communications systems, and combat systems for land, air, and space, Israel’s Rafael has shifted its focus to assist the country’s health care systems in the fight against COVID-19. Rafael’s efforts, ranging from the manufacturing of ventilators to ways to remotely transmit medical readings of patients back to medical personnel to reduce infection risk, are being led by Technion alumna Irit Idan, Rafael’s executive vice president, and head of research and development. Dr. Idan will be one of the featured speakers in the June 3 Live From Technion webinar, “A Diverse Look at Israel’s Post-pandemic Economy.”
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Technion Develops Simulator to Show How Corona Policies Affect the World

United With Israel, 5/5/20

Why this matters: Technion researchers have developed a computer simulation to assess how the government’s policy decisions will affect the continued spread of the coronavirus in the country. The simulator uses data from around the world but is being tailored to the Israeli economy, and the team hopes that decision-makers will use it as a tool to explore alternatives to government actions concerning both the health system and the Israeli economy. Team members include Professor Nir Gavish, of the Department of Mathematics, Professor Omri Barak, of the Computer Science Department, and Dr. Gal Alon.
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Israeli Robotics Program Creates Robot to Treat COVID-19 Patients

Jewish Journal, 5/6/20

Why this matters: Led by Professor Gil Yudilevitch of the Technion Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, students and alumni of the FIRST Robotics program from the Haifa’s Reali School are designing a robotic platform to be operated remotely by medical staff, reducing their risk of infection by COVID-19. Dubbed COROBOT, the platform is being used in Rambam Health Care Campus’ Coronavirus Department. This article is based upon an interview with Technion Vice President for External Relations and Resource Development Alon Wolf, who is the academic director of the FIRST program in Israel.
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Israeli Hospitals Test Technion-developed Anti-Viral Sticker to Add Protection to Surgical Masks

NoCamels, 5/3/20

Why this matters: Hospitals across Israel are now pilot testing a Technion-developed, 3D-printed sticker that attaches to surgical masks, where it adds a layer of protection against COVID-19. Called “Maya,” the sticker is comprised of nanometric fibers coated with disinfectants, and enhances the containment of nanoparticles and effectively neutralizes viruses as they touch the mask. The technology behind the sticker was developed by Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Professor Eyal Zussman, in conjunction with the Galilee Medical Center.
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“We Know from Past Crises that some Great Startups and Companies will Rise”

CTECH, 5/4/20

Why this matters: COVID-19 has changed the investing industry, much as it has many aspects of life, according to Technion alumna Shayma Sharif. Instead of waiting for the dust to settle after the global pandemic, her venture capital fund recently announced a new $20 million fund named the FAST Seed initiative. The strategy is based on the historic knowledge that “some great startups and companies will rise from crises,” she said in this interview with CTECH. “A crisis can also focus the mind of the founders as they find a way to work around it.”
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On the Front Line of Testing

Westside Spirit, 4/27/20

Why this matters: Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Runway Startup Postdoc program alumni company Biotia is using its technology in the fight against COVID-19. Using swab samples from the subways in New York, and in cities around the world, the company says they can diagnose and analyze the sample to determine the likelihood of the spread of infection and where the sickest patients are located. Additionally, the Biotia lab in Brooklyn is the first commercial lab to be certified to test for the coronavirus in the borough.
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European Investment Bank to Provide Israel’s Pluristem with $54M for COVID-19, Other Cell Therapies

NoCamels, 4/30/20

Why this matters: The European Investment Bank has announced that it is supporting Pluristem Therapeutics’ revolutionary placenta-based cell-therapy product for COVID-19. The treatment, in which cells derived from the placentas of newborns are injected into the muscles of the patient, has already been successfully tested in six critically ill COVID-19 patients in Israel. Pluristem founder Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus.
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Touch-free Access for Games and Elevators in a Post-COVID World

ISRAEL21c, 4/30/20

Why this matters: Israeli startup Sonarax is ready for the new world where physically touching keypads, elevator buttons, and more is verboten. The company’s ready-to-install machine-to-machine data transmission technology uses soundwaves to transfer data between any devices equipped with a speaker and microphone. The company was founded by Technion alumnus Roni Papo.
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Israeli Researchers Developing Treatment to Save COVID-19 Patients’ Lungs

Haaretz, 4/30/20

Why this matters: Professor Josué Sznitman and his team have developed an innovative technology that could dramatically improve the efficacy of existing drugs for treating Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The patent-pending technology, known as Liquid Foam Therapy (LIFT), is intended to dramatically improve the distribution of surfactant across the lungs. More generally, LIFT is a radical new method for pulmonary drug delivery with the potential of delivering therapeutics homogeneously into the lungs and, importantly in large.
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The Unlikely Plan to Save COVID-19 Patients with Planes

Engadget, 4/27/20

Why this matters: Neta Blum, one of the participants in the ATS Student Delegation Tour that took place earlier this year, is cited as an expert in this article about the possible use of grounded airplanes as hyperbaric chambers in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
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Israeli Startup Helps Docs Keep Up with COVID-19 Science

ISRAEL21c, 4/26/20

Why this matters: Israeli digital health startup Kahun is helping medical professionals review the plethora of COVID-19-related medical papers published since the pandemic began. Using AI and algorithms, Kahun can analyze medical data found in some 30 million articles in databases accessed by research engines. It searches for ties between symptoms and possible diagnoses, insights from blood test results, and more. The info is then structured into a machine-readable “knowledge graph” complete with links to the relevant data sources. Co-founder and CEO Eitan Ron is a Technion alumnus.
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Up at Night with Coronavirus Nightmares? Experts Say It’s Totally Normal

Times of Israel, 4/24/20

Why this matters: Renowned sleep researcher and former Technion President Peretz Lavie is quoted extensively in this article about the preponderance of disrupted sleep being reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Professor Lavie, sleep is a very sensitive barometer of our levels of stress, and the first thing that changes when people are stressed. He says it is normal to have strange dreams these days, “because we are in a bizarre situation.” He advises keeping to as normal a routine as possible to help restore regular sleep and avoid nightmares.
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Israel Researchers Try to Track Coronavirus Outbreaks Through Sewers

The Jerusalem Post, 4/23/20

Why this matters: Studies show that COVID-19 patients begin shedding the virus in urine and feces before they show any symptoms and even if they never develop symptoms. Professor Eran Friedler, of the Technion Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Grand Water Research Institute, is part of an Israeli effort to develop a wastewater monitoring system that could determine the infection rates in neighborhoods and other areas.
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Additional article about tracking COVID-19 through sewers: NoCamels, 5/12/20

Cannabis Companies Join Search for COVID-19 Cure

Calcalist, 4/20/20

Why this matters: Medical cannabis companies have entered the race to develop a cure for COVID-19. One such company, Cannasoul Analytics Ltd., is working with Technion Professor Dedi Meiri to develop two complementary drugs for the novel coronavirus: the first to reduce overreactions of the patient’s immune response, and the second to slow down the course of the disease.
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Additional article about cannabis as a possible COVID-19 treatment: Lab Manager, 4/28/20

Tamar Robotics Deploys New COVID-19 Solution for Coronavirus Wards to Protect Medical Teams

Yahoo! Finance, 4/21/20

Why this matters: Tamar NIV LTD, a developer of neurosurgical robotic technology solutions, has developed and deployed a protective patient hood for use in hospitals. Known as the NIV Greenhouse™, the hood prevents the spread of COVID-19 and protects medical teams when applying non-invasive ventilation therapy for COVID-19 patients. It enables the use of non-invasive ventilation such as CPAP and BiPAP devices in COVID-19 treatment which was previously deemed too risky for medical staff due to the potential for the spread of contagious disease from the patient’s breath. Professor Moshe Shoham is co-founder of Tamar Robotics, and the Technion is one of the company’s investors.
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Additional articles about protective patient hood from Tamar NIV LTD: NoCamels, 4/22/20

Stem Cells from a Baby’s Placenta May Save Life of Coronavirus Victim in NJ

New York Post, 4/14/20

Why this matters: Doctors in New Jersey are battling COVID-19 in one 49-year-old male patient with a revolutionary new treatment from Israeli company Pluristem Therapeutics. The treatment, in which cells derived from the placentas of newborns are injected into the muscles of the patient, has already been successfully tested in six critically ill COVID-19 patients in Israel. Pluristem founder Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus.
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Israeli Scientists at Cutting Edge of Coronavirus Vaccine Research

Jewish News, 4/16/20

Why this matters: This article specifically calls out the COVID-19 vaccine research being conducted by Professor Avi Schroeder, and by Israel’s MIGAL Institute. Former Technion Professor Yitzhak Apeloig is on the MIGAL Board of Directors. Its scientific advisory committee includes Nobel laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Professor Gadi Schuster, and Professor Moshe Shoham.
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COVID-19 and the Need for Enhanced U.S.-Israel Technology Cooperation

Foundation for Defense of Democracies, 4/17/20

Why this matters: In this opinion piece, Brigadier General (res.) Jacob Nagel and John Hannah argue that Israel may be the United States’ greatest ally, and its most important source of life-saving technological innovations, in the battle against COVID-19. Several current COVID-19-related research projects happening at the Technion are included in the article. Brig. Gen. Nagel is the director of the Center for Security Science and Technology and the Peter Munk Research Institute.
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Startups Sprouted in Israeli Design Contest are Now Recruits in the COVID-19 War

Times of Israel, 4/19/20

Why this matters: Teams from a January 2020 competition focused on the use of creative design thinking to boost stagnant areas of healthcare and public health are now advancing their projects to provide solutions for the COVID-19 outbreak. EnRoute, a solution to make in-hospital patient transportation more efficient, is refocusing its efforts on tracking and moving coronavirus patients, tests, and respiratory machines. By providing tracking data of in-hospital transportation and equipment, EnRoute can help contain the spread of infected persons and equipment. EnRoute Co-Founder Ori Shelma is a graduate student in biomedical engineering at the Technion, and the company’s business lead, Tony Liebel, is a master’s student at Cornell Tech. Skinly, made up of Cornell Tech and Technion students, as well as an Israeli and a Dutch designer, is tackling hospital-acquired infections through a unique full-body suit that would decrease the transfer of bacteria. The competition teams, intentionally multidisciplinary and multinational, were composed of over 100 engineering and MBA students from Cornell Tech and the Technion, alongside local Israeli designers from companies such as Facebook, Waze and Wix, and healthcare workers from Sourasky and its Ichilov Hospital.
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Moovit Launches Transit Solution for Essential Workers

ISRAEL21c, 4/10/20

Why this matters: In response to plummeting public transport use due to COVID-19 regulations, Technion alumnus-founded urban transit app Moovit is launching an Emergency Mobilization On-Demand service to get essential workers to their jobs safely. Using the Moovit app or a transit agency app powered by Moovit, riders can request an on-demand or pre-scheduled ride as well as select a pickup/dropoff location. The company’s algorithms enable multiple riders to share the journey while keeping in line with health regulations such as the permitted number of passengers per vehicle. Moovit Co-founder Roy Bick is a Technion alumnus.

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Technion Researchers Developing Cheap, Fast Coronavirus Test Kit

Times of Israel, 4/17/20

Why this matters: Led by Professor Naama Geva-Zatorsky, a Technion research team is developing a home kit that would enable people to be quickly and inexpensively tested for the coronavirus, without the need for elaborate lab equipment. The kit has successfully identified the virus in saliva samples, which unlike swab tests, do not require expertise. The researchers say the kit is 99% accurate.
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Additional articles about the rapid COVID-19 home testing kit being developed at the Technion: The Jerusalem Post, 4/24/20 and Breaking Israel News, 4/23/20.

Israeli COVID-19 Treatment Shows 100% Survival Rate – Preliminary Data

JPOST, 4/12/20

Why this matters: Six critically ill coronavirus patients in Israel who are considered high-risk for mortality have been treated with Pluristem’s placenta-based cell-therapy product and survived, according to preliminary data provided by the Haifa-based company. Pluristem was founded in 2001 by Shai Meretzki of the Technion, who made use of a stem cell patent which was developed during his Ph.D studies at The Rappaport Faculty Of Medicine.
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Additional articles about a promising preliminary treatment for COVID-19: New York Post, 4/13/20 and Hamodia, 4/14/20.

Student-Built Robot to Help Battle Corona in Hospital

ISRAEL21C, 4/12/20

Why this matters: High school students created a robotic platform prototype that shuttles supplies to and from the coronavirus ward while controlled remotely by medical staff. If the robot is successful, additional FIRST ISRAEL groups — an international educational organization led by the Technion that uses robotics competitions to promote entrepreneurship and learning among young children and youth — will join the effort.
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Additional article about the student-built robot: The Jerusalem Post, 4/15/20.

Israel’s First Home-Grown Ultra-Orthodox Doctor in Midst of Coronavirus Fight

WORLD ISRAEL NEWS, 4/12/20

Why this matters: Dr. Yehuda Sabiner, who earned his doctorate from the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, is the first person born and raised in an ultra-Orthodox community in Israel to become a mainstream doctor. In this article, he reflects on his recent experiences working in Israel’s first dedicated Coronavirus ward, at Tel Hashomer Hospital near Tel Aviv.
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Israeli Anti-Terror Tech to Facially Recognize Mask-Wearing Health Staff

THE JERUSALEM POST, 4/12/20

Why this matters: The technology behind Cortica’s AI-powered Corsight is now being used to recognize and protect individuals wearing medical face masks. The technology requires less than 50% of the face to be exposed to ensure accurate recognition, solving issues posed by increasing preferences and even requirements for citizens to wear face masks. Cortica was founded in 2007 by Technion Professor Yehoshua (Josh) Zeevi and two of his then-doctoral graduates, Igal Raichelgauz and Karina Ordinaev. The company, based on brain research conducted at the Technion for 10 years, boasts more than 250 registered patents in artificial intelligence.
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Additional articles about face-detection tech that works on masked faces: ISRAEL21c, 4/21/20 and NoCamels, 4/23/20.

New Israeli-Designed Mask Creates “Air-Curtain” for Those Treating COVID-19

TIMES OF ISRAEL, 4/10/20

Why this matters: Professor Ezri Tarazi, chair of the Industrial Design Program and head of the Design-Tech Lab at the Technion, and doctors at Rambam Health Care Campus, have developed a device that dramatically improves the efficacy of protective masks worn by COVID-19 medical staff. The device continuously generates airflow downwards from the forehead area and creates an ‘air shield’ inside the protective mask that isolates the doctor from the surrounding atmosphere, which may carry COVID-19 droplets.
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Israeli Coronavirus Mapping Technology to Assist Authorities Globally

THE JERUSALEM POST, 4/10/20

Why this matters: Co-founded by Technion alumni Jonathan Amir, Dr. Kira Radinsky, and Professor Moshe Shoham, Israeli startup Diagnostic Robotics Ltd. as created an AI-based remote screening platform used by Israel to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 in recent weeks. According to the company, the platform will now be deployed globally, including in the U.S., Western Europe, and Asia.
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Additional articles about the AI-based remote screening platform used by Israel to monitor the spread of the COVID-19: No Camels, 4/14/20 and ISRAEL21c, 4/16/20.

Israeli Lab Pauses Research on Shrimp Viruses to Develop COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine

FORBES, 4/10/20

Why this matters: Whether it is the novel coronavirus behind the global COVID-19 pandemic, or one that causes a devastating disease in shrimp, all viruses require certain proteins in order to pass from one cell to another. Stopping the production of those proteins will effectively stop the virus. Having already developed an antiviral that prevents a deadly disease in farm-raised shrimp, Professor Avi Schroeder is now working to apply the same technology to help in the fight against COVID-19.
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Israeli Mask and Face Shield Solutions for Coronavirus

ISRAEL21C, 4/10/20

Why this matters: A new antiviral sticker that attaches to regular surgical masks is being tested at Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. The sticker was developed in part by Prof. Eyal Zussman of the Nano-Engineering Lab at the Technion.
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Additional articles about 3D-printed, nanofiber stickers for masks: CTECH, 3/30/20 and ISRAEL21c, 4/2/20.

New Hope for Coronavirus Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

JEWISH NEWS SYNDICATE, 4/8/20

Runway Postdocs Innovate Startups Targeting COVID-19

CORNELL CHRONICLE, 4/6/20

Why this matters: Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Runway Startup Postdocs Rebecca Brachman and Server Ertem are tackling the COVID-19 pandemic head on. The pair realized that a cancer detection tool under development by Ertem’s company, Katena Oncology, could be adapted to the new coronavirus. Brachman and Ertem are now working with hospitals in New York City and companies around the world to develop a rapid, inexpensive and accurate test for coronavirus immunity that could help individuals and communities determine who might safely rejoin the workforce or care for the sick.
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How Israeli Startups Are Hacking the Coronavirus

TIMES OF ISRAEL, 4/2/20

Why this matters: Amid a global shortage of ventilators in the battle against the global COVID-19 pandemic, an Israeli group made up of Air Force electronics experts, robotics specialists, and medical professionals has come up with an innovative hack that could help hospitals around the world produce them quickly and at low cost. The system, known as Ambo-Vent, was developed jointly with more than 40 partners including Microsoft Israel’s Garage program, which focuses on hack culture, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and FIRST Israel, the Technion-led robotics competition for high school students.
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Additional articles about how Israeli startups are hacking COVID-19: NoCamels, 4/5/20 and ISRAEL21c, 4/20/20.

Weapons Against Coronavirus

GLOBES, 4/1/20

Why this matters: Israel’s defense companies, which in more normal times keep the country safe from missiles and other physical threats, have joined the fight against COVID-19. An initiative by Israel’s Government Companies Authority has created a connection between Israeli hospitals, defense companies, research institutions, and the Ministry of Health. The medical team puts forward the requirements, the companies and institutions produce solutions, and the regulator acts as integrator and gives approval in principle that allows technological solutions to be implemented in record time. As an example of this collaboration, the article cites a system for remotely measuring body temperature, and respiration and pulse rates, that is being trialed at a government hospital. Israel Aircraft Industries engineers combined an Elta radar system with optic and artificial intelligence technology from the Technion and Mafat. The system, which can remotely identify people suffering from fever, for example, could replace manual examinations not only at entrances to hospitals, but also at shopping centers, government offices, and more.
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Israel Greenlights Coronavirus Blocking Sticker Pilot

CTECH, 3/30/20

Why this matters: Israel’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development has greenlighted a Technion-developed, 3D-printed sticker that attaches to surgical masks, where it adds a layer of protection against COVID-19. Called “Maya,” the sticker is comprised of nanometric fibers coated with disinfectants, and enhances the containment of nanoparticles and effectively neutralizes viruses as they touch the mask. The sticker is now being used in a pilot study by medical personnel at the Galilee Medical Center in Northern Israel. The technology behind the sticker was developed by Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Professor Eyal Zussman, in conjunction with the Galilee Medical Center.
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Additional articles about pilot study of 3D-printed, nanofiber stickers for masks: ISRAEL21c, 4/2/20.

Israeli Government to Send Daily Coronavirus-Detection Questionnaire

CALCALIST 3/30/20

Why this matters: Co-founded by Technion alumni Jonathan Amir, Dr. Kira Radinsky, and Professor Moshe Shoham, Israeli startup Diagnostic Robotics Ltd. is behind a nationwide initiative to track COVID-19 through a daily coronavirus questionnaire. The company’s Diagnostic Robotics COVID-19 Remote Assessment and Monitoring tool is empowering the healthcare system to respond digitally to the growing pressures of the pandemic.
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Additional articles how Diagnostic Robotics is helping Israel track COVID-19: Jewish Insider, 4/1/20.

The Israeli “Pooling” Method That Could Rapidly Expand COVID-19 Testing

TABLET, 3/27/20

Why this matters: Researchers at Technion and Rambam Health Care Campus have successfully tested a method that will dramatically increase the current COVID-19 testing capacity using existing available resources. This method, known as pooling, enables simultaneous testing of dozens of samples. Its implementation has the potential to greatly accelerate the rate of testing and detection of COVID-19 infected patients in the population. The trial was completed in a matter of days thanks to the support of the Ministry of Health and the close collaboration between Technion and Rambam. Testing for COVID-19 is currently being conducted with the focus on people with specific symptoms. The current rate of testing does not allow for monitoring of asymptomatic carriers in the population, which is vital to curb the epidemic.
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In the Age of Zoom, Who Is Watching What?

JEWISH INSIDER, 3/27/20

Why this matters: According to a survey conducted by Jewish Insider, the Live from Technion webinar with Professor Asya Rolls was among last week’s top online offerings from Jewish organizations about the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
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Israeli Scientist’s Shrimp Antiviral Could Be Adapted for Coronavirus

LIFEBOAT FOUNDATION, 3/26/20

Why this matters: All viruses require certain proteins in order to pass from one cell to another. Stopping the production of those proteins will effectively stop the virus. Having already developed an antiviral that prevents a deadly disease in farm-raised shrimp, Professor Avi Schroeder is now working to apply the same technology to help in the fight against COVID-19. He recently shared about his work in the first episode of ATS’s new Live From Technion webinar series.
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Additional article about how a shrimp antiviral might be repurposed to battle COVID-19: Jew in the City, 4/29/20

This Would Be a Really Great Moment for Food Delivery Robots

SLATE, 3/25/20

Why this matters: With social distancing and sheltering in place orders now the norm, there is increasing talk of developing robots that can deliver restaurant or supermarket food to homes in a tamper-proof compartment. The article includes significant commentary by Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Professor Wendy Ju, who is an expert on human-robot interaction.
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Technion Researchers on the Frontline in the Fight Against COVID-19

THE JERUSALEM POST, 3/25/20

Why this matters: Researchers in more than 20 Technion laboratories are working around the clock to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Research topics include early detection and diagnosis of the virus, development of a vaccine and therapies, and designing robotic solutions for remote monitoring and care of patients. Please note: much of the research listed in the press release is preliminary. The release contains all information that is currently available about these projects, and further details and developments will be shared as they become available.
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Israeli Scientist Could Adapt Shrimp Antiviral for Humans

ISRAEL21C, 3/25/20

Why this matters: Whether it is the novel coronavirus behind the global COVID-19 pandemic, or one that causes a devastating disease in shrimp, all viruses require certain proteins in order to pass from one cell to another. Stopping the production of those proteins will effectively stop the virus. Having already developed an antiviral that prevents a deadly disease in farm-raised shrimp, As he discussed in the first episode of ATS’s new Live From Israel webinar series, Professor Avi Schroeder is now working to apply the same technology to help in the fight against COVID-19. The article also discusses some of Prof. Schroeder’s other fascinating research and companies.
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Israel Startup Aims to Identify Coronavirus Carriers Using Their Voice

TIMES OF ISRAEL, 3/25/20

Why this matters: Technion graduates Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich and Dr. Shady Hassan are answering the Corona challenge through their innovative company Vocalis Health. The company has joined with Israel’s Defense Ministry to collect voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Doing so will allow for rapid and early screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.
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A New Perspective: Virtual Reality Shows Exactly How COVID-19 Can Damage the Lungs

WJLA, 3/23/20

Why this matters: High-tech imaging made possible by Technion alumni-founded company Surgical Theater is now providing a first-of-its-kind look at the damage COVID-19 can inflict on a patient’s lungs. Surgical Theater Co-founder Moty Avisar is a Technion alumnus.
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The Israeli Inventions That Lessen the Healthcare System’s Burden

WJLA, 3/23/20

Why this matters: In Israel and around the globe, tech companies, especially those in the medtech and biotech sectors, are being enlisted in the battle against COVID-19. This overview of Israeli companies allocating resources and manpower to find new solutions that could ease the strain on the overburdened healthcare system includes predictive care startup CLEW Medical. The company developed an algorithm that collects data from emergency care monitoring devices and alerts the medical team to any deterioration in a patient’s condition. As the healthcare system becomes more and more burdened, Clew’s technology could point out a patient in danger 6-12 hours before their condition starts to worsen, enabling caregivers to prepare in advance. CLEW Medical Founder Avigdor Faians is a Technion alumnus.
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Experts Speak on Israel’s Response to Coronavirus in Virtual Panel

TIMES OF ISRAEL, 3/20/20

Why this matters: Technion alumna Dr. Kira Radinsky and her team at Diagnostic Robotics have developed new technology to aid in the identification of Israeli patients who are developing COVID-19 symptoms, and helping to get those patients ready for home hospitalization. “The information is delivered as red flags to health services in Israel,” said Radinsky, whose heat map of COVID-19 hot spots helps medical services identify which areas of the country need intensive care. Dr. Radinsky is Chair and Chief Technology Officer of Diagnostic Robotics.
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Israel to Weigh “Compassionate Use” of Pluristem Therapy for COVID-19

REUTERS, 3/19/20

Why this matters: Israel’s Health Ministry has approved a request by Pluristem Therapeutics to seek case-by-case permission for compassionate treatment of COVID-19 patients with its stem cell therapy. Pluristem said in a regulatory filing the ministry may now approve proposed treatments for severely ill patients, though it has yet to submit any requests and there is no guarantee the government would approve each case. Pluristem founder Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus.
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Complacency, Not Panic, Is the Real Danger

NEW YORK TIMES, 3/19/20

Why this matters: Despite mixed messages from government officials and shortages of tests and hospital capacity, there is little evidence of widespread panic during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, according to Professor Ido Erev of the Technion’s William Davidson Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, decision-making under threat suggests that concerns about looming mass panic are badly misplaced.
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Pooling Method for Accelerated Testing of COVID-19

ATS.ORG, 3/18/20

Additional articles about the pooling method for accelerated testing:
The Jerusalem Post, 4/1/20
Jewish News Syndicate, 3/25/20
Good News Network, 3/19/20
Breaking News Israel, 3/18/20
ISRAEL21c, 3/19/20
Jewish News Syndicate, 3/19/20
The Jerusalem Post, 3/19/20
Times of Israel, 3/19/20

Israel Cell Therapy to Treat Coronavirus Patients With Breathing Problem

THE JERUSALEM POST, 3/15/20

Why this matters: Pluristem, a regenerative medicine company, says its placenta-based cell therapy product could be used to treat hundreds of patients suffering from respiratory and inflammatory complications associated with COVID-19. Pluristem is working in collaboration with the BIH Center for Regenerative Therapy (BCRT) and Charité University of Medicine Berlin. Their joint project is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Pluristem’s patented PLX cell product on patients who are developing severe respiratory disorders. Pluristem founder Dr. Shai Meretzki is a Technion alumnus.
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New Ventilator Mask Protects Entire Face From Coronavirus

ISRAEL21C, 3/15/20

Why this matters: Dr. Noam Gavriely, a physician and serial medical-device inventor, has developed a new ventilator mask that could be a gamechanger for healthcare workers, airport workers, and people in preventive quarantine. The ViriMASK Protective Oculo-Respirator is strapped around the head, covering the eyes with a see-through visor and the nose and mouth with a filtering mechanism. It should be ready for testing by an independent lab in mid-April. Dr. Gavriely is a Technion alumnus and former member of the Technion Faculty of Medicine.
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Covid-19’s Silver Lining

ISRAEL21C, 3/15/20

Why this matters: With the current COVID-19 pandemic dominating the news and generally raising anxiety levels around the globe, Technion Associate Professor Daniel Orenstein penned this very encouraging opinion piece that was published in the Times of Israel. Prof. Orenstein, from the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, opines that there is a silver lining to COVID-19, and points to six interim positive trends that should be considered.
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Israeli Scientists: “In a Few Weeks, We Will Have a Coronavirus Vaccine”

ISRAEL21C, 3/15/20

Why this matters: According to a press release issued by Israel’s MIGAL Institute, its researchers are on the cusp of developing the first vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The release also says that if all goes as planned, the vaccine could be ready within a few weeks and available in 90 days. MIGAL is an independent research organization whose mission is to promote and conduct applied research to benefit private and public enterprise. Its research team includes 80 PhDs and a total of 260 researchers distributed into 53 labs that are managed by seasoned senior group leaders. Our scientists hold unique expertise in plant-based platforms to produce therapeutic molecules, metabolic engineering, chemical extractions, vaccines technologies and computational chemistry. Former Technion Professor Yitzhak Apeloig is on the MIGAL Board of Directors. Its scientific advisory committee includes Nobel laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover, Professor Gadi Schuster, and Professor Moshe Shoham.
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Coronavirus Facility Opens at Rambam Hospital Using New Israeli Tech

THE JERUSALEM POST, 3/4/20

Why this matters: Technion-affiliated Rambam Hospital is opening a new coronavirus department this week. The facility will be on its own floor, isolated from the rest of the hospital. Construction and logistic teams worked cut an entire floor of the hospital in two: a hospitalization wing on one side and rooms for the team on the other side. The department will also have a separate ambulance entrance and elevator. Air from the rooms will be pumped through a filter before it exits the building. The department will use a new remote monitoring system developed by the Israeli start-up BioBeat, whose co-founder and CTO Johanan May is a Technion alumnus. The system includes smart monitoring stickers that will replace currently used monitoring methods. The stickers will be put on all the patients and allow continuous monitoring of breathing, saturation, pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and other essential metrics. The results will be continually streamed to an information system, allowing the monitoring of every patient without physical contact.
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Israel Races to Find Solutions for Coronavirus

ISRAEL21C, 2/16/20

Why this matters: One of the most problematic elements of the current global coronavirus epidemic is that people appear to be contagious even before they show symptoms of the disease. Israeli company MeMed Diagnostics hopes to change that. The company is working with collaborators around the globe to see whether “some derivatives of MeMed technology” could detect infectious patients in the pre-symptomatic stage. According to MeMed Co-founder and CEO Eran Eden, who is a Technion alumnus, the company already has preliminary data showing that “one could potentially monitor the immune response and tell if somebody will be sick before he feels sick.”
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Videos

COVID-19 Playlist on the Technion YouTube Channel

Interest Grows in 3 Experimental COVID Treatments

ISRAEL21c, 8/16/21

Why this matters: With many unvaccinated people around the world, and new COVID-19 variants spreading, scientists everywhere have turned their efforts back toward creating therapeutics for mild, severe, and critical cases of the disease. Among them is Enlivex Therapeutics’ Allocetra, an immunotherapy drug candidate that reprograms malfunctioning immune cells called macrophages. It does not target the virus, but rather the side effect of the virus: organ failure, typically in the lungs, associated with Covid-19. Enlivex CSO and Medical Officer Professor Dror Mevorach is a Technion alumnus.
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Do We Need a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

Airang News Center, 8/5/21

Why this matters: Why this matters: In this interview with Arirang News Center, Professor Doron Melamed, of the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, discusses the issues surrounding COVID-19 booster shots.
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Meet the Guys Who Find COVID in Sewage

Arutz Sheva, 7/23/21

Why this matters: In this interview, Dr. Yair Lewis, who works in Israeli Health Ministry’s national lab for environmental virology, talks about testing sewage across Israel to help pinpoint high risk areas. He mentions the contributions of Technion Professor Eran Friedler to the Health Ministry’s efforts. Dr. Lewis received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the Technion.
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Technion Labs Tackle COVID-19

The Technion has 50 labs from a number of faculties working on different solutions to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ventilation for Patients

Why this matters: Tamar NIV LTD, a developer of neurosurgical robotic technology solutions, has developed and deployed a protective patient hood for use in hospitals. Known as the NIV Greenhouse™, the hood prevents the spread of COVID-19 and protects medical teams when applying non-invasive ventilation therapy for COVID-19 patients. It enables the use of non-invasive ventilation such as CPAP and BiPAP devices in COVID-19 treatment which was previously deemed too risky for medical staff due to the potential for the spread of contagious disease from the patient’s breath. Professor Moshe Shoham is co-founder of Tamar Robotics, and the Technion is one of the company’s investors.
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COROBOT: Robot for Remote Medical Care of Covid-19 Patients

Why this matters: Students and alumni of the FIRST Robotics program from the Reali School in Haifa, led by Professor Gil Yudilevitch of Technion Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, are designing a robotic platform to be operated remotely by medical staff, reducing their risk of infection by COVID-19. Dubbed COROBOT, the platform will be used in Rambam Health Care Campus’ new Coronavirus Department.
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Alumni Company Vocalis Monitors COVID-19 with Voice Biomarkers

Why this matters: Technion graduates Tal Wenderow, Daniel Aronovich, and Dr. Shady Hassan are answering the Corona challenge through their innovative company Vocalis Health. The company has joined with Israel’s Defense Ministry to collect voice samples from COVID-19 patients and the general public, hoping to home in on the unique vocal fingerprint of the disease. Doing so will allow for rapid and early screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.
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MAYA ANTIVIRAL COVID-19 PROTECTIVE STICKER FOR MASKS EYAL ZUSSMAN TECHNION

The Maya antiviral protective sticker for masks, designed to protect medical staff and patients from COVID-19, was created by Technion Professor Eyal Zussman of the Nano-Engineering Lab in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, together with Dr. Samer Srouji of the Galilee Medical Center.
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PROFESSOR DROR SELIKTAR: TARGETED ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS TO TREAT COVID-19 PATIENTS

Technion alumnus Uri Bettesh, the founder and CEO of Datos Health, discusses how his company’s remote care platform is being used to automatically monitor coronavirus patients.
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TECHNION ALUMNUS URI BETTESH: CORONAVIRUS REMOTE CARE PLATFORM FROM DATOS

Led by Professor Dror Seliktar, a team from the Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering is developing an innovative technology that makes possible the targeted administration of drugs in COVID-19 patients. Drug-laden microgels can be utilized for localized delivery into the lungs by intravenous injection. This can provide efficient treatment of critically ill coronavirus patients.
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Israel Races to Find Solutions for Coronavirus

In this video, filmed on March 17, President Sivan explains the measures Technion is taking to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Breath Test for Corona

Professor Hossam Haick and his team  are now applying nanosensor technology to facilitate rapid and remote screening for COVID-19. These intelligent sensory systems can be used to diagnose the novel coronavirus, and future epidemics. The group’s research is focused on the use of nanosensors and AI for breath testing, and on a wearable skin patch. The methods are non-invasive, fast and inexpensive, and already undergoing clinical trials in a hospital where COVID-19 is being treated.
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Technion Professor Marcelle Machluf: Nano-Ghosts to Trap Corona Virus

Professor Marcelle Machluf, dean of the Technion Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, explains how her patented Nano-Ghost therapy could be adapted for use in fighting COVID-19. Prof. Machluf heads the Lab for Cancer Drug Delivery & Cell Based Technologies in the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering.
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What We Know About “the” Coronavirus

Technion Faculty of Biology Professors Debbie Lindell and Yoram Reiter deliver an online seminar discussing what we know about the coronavirus.
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How Emotions and Stressful Thoughts Affect Your Health: A Conversation With Professor Asya Rolls

Professor Asya Rolls, of the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, talks about her research in understanding how one’s positive thoughts and expectations may impact the body’s ability to fight off germs. In one study, she showed that the release of the so-called “feel-good neurotransmitter” dopamine disabled tumor-promoting cells in the immune system of mice, allowing them to fight cancer.
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Could a Vaccine for Shrimp Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?: A Conversation With Professor Avi Schroeder

All viruses require certain proteins in order to pass from one cell to another. Stopping the production of those proteins will effectively stop the virus, says Technion Professor Avi Schroeder in this Live from Technion webinar. Prof. Schroeder shared how synthesizing a molecule called siRNA, and using it to replace naturally occurring RNA molecules, has proven effective in stopping the highly destructive white spot virus from passing from one cell to another in shrimp. And how it could be possible to apply the same technology to help in the fight against COVID-19. Professor Avi Schroeder is an associate professor and a member of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the Technion.
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Dr. Aviv Censor of Technion Zoom Distance Teaching Solution

The Technion’s Dr. Aviv Censor explains how distance teaching and online lessons with the Zoom platform are being implemented by the Technion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Pooling Method for Accelerated Testing of COVID-19 From Technion

Researchers at Technion and Rambam Health Care Campus have successfully tested a method that will dramatically increase the current COVID-19 testing capacity using existing available resources. This method, known as pooling, enables simultaneous testing of dozens of samples. Its implementation has the potential to greatly accelerate the rate of testing and detection of COVID-19 infected patients in the population. The trial was completed in a matter of days thanks to the support of the Ministry of Health and the close collaboration between Technion and Rambam. Testing for COVID-19 is currently being conducted with the focus on people with specific symptoms. The current rate of testing does not allow for monitoring of asymptomatic carriers in the population, which is vital to curb the epidemic.
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COVID-19 Lessons to Be Learned From Professor Daniel Orenstein

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology Prof. Daniel Orenstein Head of the Socio-Ecological Systems Research Group in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning talks about some lessons that can be learned from the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
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Viral Disease Research From Professor Avi Schroeder

Technion-Israel Institute of Technology’s Prof. Avi Schroeder of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering discusses new research on viral diseases.
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From Race Cars to the Lungs | Professor Josué Sznitman

“As a kid, my dream was to found a race car company. I was amazed by their shapes. But beyond beauty, form serves function through the science of aerodynamics. As a scientist today, I discuss how my laboratory is leveraging aerodynamics to explore drug delivery to the lungs and how race cars are my driver for new paradigm shifts in pulmonary therapy.”
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Technion Biomedical Informatics Research and COVID-19

Technion-Israel Institute of Technology researchers Professor Roy Kishony and Visiting Professor Kira Radinsky discuss big data and biomedical informatics research.
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Technion, Telehealth, and Telemedicine

Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Yael Shachor-Meyouhas of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and attending physician at the Rambam Health Care Campus shares her insights on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Hybrid Approach to Online Learning

Professor Hossam Haick, dean of Undergraduate Studies and a researcher in the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering, outlines the online or remote teaching solutions that enable students to learn during the shutdown of the Technion because of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 News and Updates

The Latest Updates from the Technion

Press/News

Israel’s COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Show Signs of Taming Delta

U.S. News and World Report, 8/24/21

Additional Articles

COVID-19: What Places the Elderly in Danger?

The Jerusalem Post, 8/14/21

19-year-old Israeli Builds Prototype for Affordable Respirator

Israel Hayom, 8/11/21

Salman Zarka Appointed as New Coronavirus Commissioner

Ynet, 7/14/21

Fear of Math Could Be Hindering Ability to Interpret COVID-19 News

The Jerusalem Post, 6/30/21

Varied COVID Vaccination Rates May Lead to “Two Americas”

WebMD, 6/23/21

Widespread Vaccination of Adults Helps Protect Unvaccinated Children, According to a New Israeli Study

New York Times, 6/10/21

Israeli Scientists Move Closer to Averting Immune Overreaction to COVID

Times of Israel, 6/9/21

10 Serious COVID Patients Given Israeli Drug, Leave Hospital in One Day

ISRAEL21c, 5/31/21

What’s the Science Behind CDC’s Decision to Say Fully Vaccinate People Don’t Need Masks?

CNN Health, 5/14/21

Israel: Protection Granted by Recovering from Coronavirus is on Par with Pfizer Jab, Nation-wide Study Finds

i24News, 4/26/21

Vaccines Shown to Protect Even Those Who Don’t Get Them – Israeli Study

The Times of Israel, 4/5/21

Israeli Herd Immunity Redundant in Face of COVID Vaccination Drive, Experts Say

Haaretz, 3/29/21

Stanford Professor from Israel Creates a Fast, Portable COVID Test

J. – Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, 3/24/21

Quarantine-tracking Electronic Tags Ramp Up Production

ISRAEL21c, 3/11/21

Israel Vaccination “Green Pass” May Offer a Glimpse of a Post-COVID Future

CNN, 3/11/21

Tech Companies Partner on COVID-19 Test

Science & Enterprise, 2/25/21

Vocalis Health’s COVID-19 Screening Tool Receives CE Mark

NoCamels, 2/18/21

What Other Countries Can Learn from Israel’s COVID Vaccine Rollout

ABC News, 2/21/21

Israeli COVID Cure? Researchers Hope Peptide Treatment Could Slow Disease

The Jerusalem Post, 2/13/21

Vaccine Reduces Spread Risk Even Before 2nd Shot, Israeli Study Indicates

The Times of Israel, 2/10/21

United Hatzalah Rolls Out Rapid COVID Tests with Israeli Biotech Startup Nanosynex

NoCamels, 1/21/21

The Futuristic Lighting System that Offers Disinfection and Wi-Fi

ISRAEL21c, 1/18/21

Technion Rolls Out Home-made Coronavirus Spit Tests on Campus

Times of Israel, 1/12/21

The Coronavirus Vaccine is a Triumph of Science – Prof. Aaron Ciechanover

Ynet News, 12/20/20

COVID upended campus life. So why are some universities thriving?

Jewish News Syndicate, 12/16/20

How Juganu’s Technological Innovation Will Shake Up How We Disinfect Surfaces

Authority Magazine, 12/13/20

Technion Team Wins Gold for Anti-COVID-19 Gel Technology

Israel 365 News, 12/2/20

Israel Takes Crack at Sniffing Out COVID Outbreaks in People’s Poop

Times of Israel, 10/27/20

Cover Up: 10 Innovative Types of Face Masks Developed in Israel

NoCamels, 10/22/20

Screen Test: Coronavirus is Causing “Academic Darwinism” as Campuses Stay Closed

Times of Israel, 10/21/20

Slowest Part of COVID Tests “Eliminated” with Israeli Single-molecule Method

ISRAEL21c, 10/12/20

On-the-go Coronavirus Test Maker Gets NIH Contract to Scale Up Production

CNBC, 10/9/20

Study: People with ADHD More Likely to Recover from COVID-19

Israel Hayom, 10/7/20

Israel Targeting Local Production of Visby’s Portable COVID-19 PCR Test Kits

CTech by Calcalist, 10/4/20

5 Severe COVID Patients Cured by Experimental Drug

ISRAEL21c, 10/1/20

Self-service Instant COVID Test to be Piloted at European Airports

Israel21C, 9/23/20

Researchers: No Basis to Compare Infections at Protests, Synagogues

Times of Israel, 9/23/20

***The Times of Israel*, 2/10/21**