last year demonstrated an average 80 
percent reduction in pain symptoms. 
That’
s double the rate for implanted 
devices and far more than a couple of 
Tylenol can achieve.
“We compete mainly 
against the strongest 
painkillers,
” says 
Neurolief CEO Shany. 
“We are not targeting 
patients whose 
symptoms are alleviated 
with Advil, but those 
who require drugs frequently.
”
The Neurolief device is meant to be 
used only during a migraine attack. 
Since it can fold up to the size of a 
sunglasses case, it’
s small enough to 
carry in a purse or backpack.
Dar and Shany are not newcomers 
to the field of neuro-modulation. 
The two started and sold NESS-
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation 
Systems, a company that builds neuro-
modulation products to help stroke 
survivors move paralyzed arms and 
legs.
After NESS’
 new owners moved 
most of the company’
s operations to 
California, Dar and Shany were free 
to develop their own non-competing 
neuro-modulation device.
NESS fetched a price of $75 million 
in 2007. Netanya-based Neurolief is 
still at the beginning of its journey and 
has so far raised $5 million since it 
was established in 2013. The financing 
was led by Terra Venture Partners.
Neurolief has developed a novel 
pricing model. Instead of purchasing 
the device for a one-time fee, patients 
will buy it “pre-loaded” with a certain 
number of treatments (10 to start).
“It’
s like buying a blister pack of 
medications,
” says Eran Schenker, vice 

president of business development and 
marketing.
If the device works, a user can “turn 
on” more neuro-modulation doses 
remotely via the Internet. “It won’
t cost 
more than the pills you already get,
” 
Schenker says.
But don’
t head to the local 
pharmacy just yet. Neurolief’
s product 
will not be available until sometime 
next year.
There are still a few trials to 
complete, including a study with 56 
patients now ongoing. The company 
hopes to apply for a European Union 
CE mark by the end of 2018, with 
application to the FDA for approval in 
the U.S. to follow.

NEXT: DEPRESSION
Neurolief started by targeting 
migraines because the clinical 
evidence from implanted devices has 
already demonstrated that neuro-
modulation works. But the same 
neuro-modulation techniques can be 
used for other indications.
Next on Neurolief’
s list is 
depression. Dar reports “remarkable 
results” from a clinical trial at a mental 
hospital in Israel. Neurolief’
s anti-
depression model could come as early 
as 2020.
There are other companies 
working on brain stimulation to treat 
depression, mostly using magnets. 
“But these are large machines that can 
only be used in a clinic,
” Dar says. “We 
wanted something that could be used 
at home, that allows for self-treatment.
“
At the end of the day,
” he says, 
“we will have a solution for multi-
indications, although each needs its 
own regulatory approval and may 
need a different device.
” ■

January 31 • 2018 41
jn

Shmuel Shany

Thanks to a generous grant from the 
Detroit Medical Center Foundation, 
JScreen will raise awareness about 
genetic carrier screening in the 
Detroit community and will provide 
screening and educational resources. 
“This grant will give us the nec-
essary resources to get out into the 
community to increase awareness 
about genetic carrier screening and 
preventable genetic diseases,” said 
Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, executive 
director of the JScreen program. “We 
are excited to partner with young 
professional groups and synagogues, 
and to have a presence at large-scale 

community events.” 
Organizations that are already plan-
ning events or are working on final-
izing information based on this grant 
include The Well, Temple Israel, Adat 
Shalom and Grand Rounds at Wayne 
State University/Detroit Medical 
Center. The University of Michigan 
Hillel has an event scheduled for 
Feb. 12, and Temple Beth El has one 
scheduled for April 28.
JScreen and partner organizations 
will share more information about 
genetic screening events as dates and 
locations are finalized. ■

Genetic Carrier Screening

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Dr. Joseph R. Nemeth

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