Hadasit, Hadassah’s technology transfer company, acquired the rights to a diagnostic devise originally developed by Oridion Systems Ltd. Together with Dr. Uri Geiger, and Oridion Systems Ltd., Hadasit established a daughter company – Breath ID (2006) – to continue developing the instrument for the diagnosis of infectious liver diseases, enabling physicians throughout the world to enlarge the scope of diagnosing infectious liver diseases. Using the new methodology, 150 Hepatitis C patients were checked at Hadassah – and another 300 outside of Israel – to date.
Infectious liver diseases can be diagnosed simply by breathing into an instrument. This breakthrough will allow physicians to bypass the need for biopsies to determine liver disease and produce results within 40 minutes of the patient’s test.
Leaders of the American Liver Society supported Hadasit’s purchase and the creation of the new company, and are participating as members of the Breath ID (2006) scientific advisory board.
“I consider Hadasit’s entry into technological and financial activities an integral part of our commitment to improving medicine,” said Dr. Rafi Hofstein, Hadasit CEO. “The establishment of Breath ID (2006) will allow us to advance the progress of diagnosing infectious liver diseases and may even reveal new ways of treating these diseases.
“Hadasit’s involvement marks another step in the natural continuum of its growth so far, building on the establishment of Hadasit Bio-Holdings Ltd., whose stock is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the construction of a Bio-Tech Park on the Ein Kerem campus and the creation of numerous start-up companies in the biomedical and bioengineering fields.”
The Hadassah University Medical Center
§ A state-of-the-art medical center encompassing all medical and surgical sub-specialties, with a tertiary care referral hospital at Ein Kerem and a community hospital on Mt. Scopus; conducts more than half the hospital research in Israel.
§ The flagship of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, which laid the foundation of Israel's medical infrastructure, initiated and maintains educational programs and youth institutions, and is the main supporter of The Hadassah University Medical Center.
§ The largest employer in Jerusalem excluding the government: 850 physicians 1,940 nurses, 1,020 paramedical and support staff; two campuses with 1,000 beds, 31 operating theaters, 9 intensive care units and over 120 outpatient clinics. Committed to excellence in health care, medical research and medical education.
§ Hadassah was and still is a pioneer in introducing innovative and unique medical treatments in Israel, and in some areas in the world. Hadassah’s clinical and research achievements have garnered fame throughout the world.
§ Welcomes every individual who requires medical attention without regard for race, religion, gender, ethnicity or political persuasion – and has done so since its inception. Provides hospital services for nearly one million people annually; treated more than 2,500 people injured in the recent Intifada – nearly half the victims of terror attacks.
§ Partners with the Hebrew University in five medical academic institutions: the Schools of Medicine; Nursing; Dental Medicine; Occupational Therapy; Public Health and Community Medicine.
§ A Bridge to Peace – with programs and projects for medical personnel from the Palestinian Authority and students from Egypt, Jordan and 90 countries around the world. Was nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.
§ A member of the American Hospital Association;
HADASIT, HADASSAH’S TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COMPANY
Hadasit was established as a subsidiary of Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, Israel to promote and commercialize its continuously generated intellectual property, aimed at finding solutions to problems faced by modern medicine. Hadassah-generated intellectual property has already received global acclaim in the international medical research arena with its cutting-edge biomedical technology for the development of novel therapeutics, diagnostic methods and devices.
Hadasit’s obligation to the actualization of its projects is rooted in its belief that medical knowledge can make a difference only when it is translated into medical practice. Hadasit is committed to advancing medicine worldwide by creating value from intellectual property, not simply for commercial value, but for the sake of humankind.
Hadasit’s ultimate responsibility is to guide technologies from innovation to commercial application. To accomplish this, Hadasit is equipped with the full-spectrum of resources and capabilities required for composing and conducting the ‘symphony’ of pre-clinical services and clinical studies, establishing start-up companies, offering product licensing and providing international consulting services.