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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