Pfizer to collaborate on Bar-Ilan DNA robots

Prof. Ido Bachelet
Prof. Ido Bachelet

Prof. Ido Bachelet's robots will deliver medical proteins to designated tissue.

Pfizer is cooperating with the DNA robot laboratory managed by Prof. Ido Bachelet at Bar-Ilan University. Bachelet has developed a method of producing innovative DNA molecules with characteristics that can be used to "program" them to reach specific locations in the body and carry out pre-programmed operations there in response to stimulation from the body. This cooperation was revealed in a lecture by Pfizer president of worldwide research and development (WRD), portfolio strategy and investment committee chairman, and executive VP Mikael Dolstein at the IATI Biomed Conference in Tel Aviv being concluded today.

Bar-Ilan Research & Development Co. CEO Orli Tori said, "This is Pfizer's first cooperative venture with someone in Israeli higher education. The technology is fairly new for a drug company, but Pfizer has agreed to take up the challenge and support this technology, in the hope that it will make a contribution to the company at the proper time.

"As in all of our research agreements, the company coming from the industry has the right to negotiate the acquisition of the technology at the end of the process." The financial volume of the deal was not disclosed, but most such agreements amount to several hundred thousand dollars at most. The medical sector in which cooperation will take place was also not disclosed, but it appears that research will focus on the possibility that the robots will deliver the medical proteins to designated tissue.

Bachelet came to Bar-Ilan from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) several years ago. At a Tedmed event held two years ago, he explained, "In order to make a nanometric robot, we first of all create a selected DNA sequence, and then fold it using a process called DNA origami. With this method, a person can give a command to a computer, which folds the DNA molecule as needed.

"The result is that a DNA sequence can be made in the form of a clam, for example, and containing a drug. The DNA molecule, however, contains a code activated upon encountering certain materials in the body. For example, the clam can be designed to change its shape and release the drug only when it meets a cancer cell or the right tissue.

"In addition, the molecules can receive signals from each other, and can theoretically change their shape according to signals from the body, and can be pre-programmed to attach themselves to one another. In the future, it will be possible to combine each such molecule with a miniature antenna. When the antenna receives an external signal, it will make a small change in the molecule that will make it open or close, and dissipate or connect itself to another molecule."

Tori adds, "What is special about the robots is that they open and close according to signals from the surroundings, and that makes it possible to manage the disease. The robot exposes the drug to the target site according to biological signs within the body. For example were we to develop a product for diabetes, although that is not the purpose of this cooperation, it would be possible to develop a robot that would release insulin only when it sensed a rise in the blood sugar level."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 14, 2015

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015

Prof. Ido Bachelet
Prof. Ido Bachelet
Frankly project on Tel Aviv's Salame Street credit: PR Florentin apartment fetches NIS 11.5m

The Tel Aviv apartment at 44 Salame Street, on the border with Jaffa, is being built by Yuvalim-City Boy.

Stratasys CEO Dr. Yoav Zeif credit: Stratasys Fortissimo to invest $120m in Stratasys for 14% stake

The private equity firm's investment in the Israeli 3D solutions company reflects a 10.6% premium on its share price.

Raising dollars credit: Shutterstock Israeli startups raised nearly $700m in January

Overall in 2024, Israeli privately-held tech companies raised $9.58 billion in 2024, according to IVC-LeumiTech, up 38% from 2023 when $6.9 billion was raised.

United Airlines credit: Shutterstock United Airlines to resume Israel flights in March

US carrier United Airlines will resume flights between New York and Tel Aviv on March 18, a source close to the matter has told "Globes."

Israeli apartments Credit: Shutterstock Apartments sold and rented

A selection of recent real estate deals in Israel in Givatayim, Herzliya, Kfar Saba, Kokhav Yair-Tzur Yigal, Netanya and Bet Hefer.

Paragon founders credit: PR WhatsApp alleges Paragon spyware targeted users

A senior executive at chat service WhatsApp alleged that Israeli cyberattack company Paragon Solutions attempted to breach the devices of 90 users including journalists, "Reuters" reports.

Richard Francis  credit: PR Analysts remain positive on Teva

The company's 2025 guidance sent its share price tumbling, but analysts stress its investment in its innovative pipeline and debt reduction.

Aaron Frenkel credit: Eli Etkin Azerbaijan's SOCAR to buy Tamar stake from Aaron Frenkel

SOCAR has agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Israeli offshore gas field from the businessman, a source close to the matter has told "Globes."

DeepSeek credit: Reuters/VCG Wiz finds serious information leak at DeepSeek

The Chinese AI application that has taken the world by storm had a sensitive database exposed to anyone on the Internet.

US spec Mazda 3  credit: PR Tough EU regulations removing popular cars from Israel

New safety standards and average emission rules are making manufacturers drop models, or switch to US and Canadian standards for the Israeli market.

Amnon Shashua  credit: Yonatan Hefner Mobileye falls on disappointing 2025 guidance

The Israeli advanced driving assistance systems company predicts revenue of $1.69-1.81 billion in 2025, below the analysts' forecast of $1.96 billion.

Trophy protection system installed on Israeli tank credit: Rafael spokesperson Rafael adapts Trophy tank protection system for aerial threats

Trophy can now not only thwart anti-tank missiles but also low-flying aerial threats including helicopters and drones, the "Bulgarian Military" website reports.

Gasoline prices credit: Tali Bogdanovsky Gasoline prices in Israel to rise Saturday night

The maximum price of government price controlled 95 octane gasoline at self-service pumps in Israel will rise on Saturday at midnight February 2, 2025, by NIS 0.11 per liter to NIS 7.31 per liter, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced.

Gil Shwed and Nadav Zafrir credit: Menash Cohen Check Point beats analysts in Q4 with strong growth

New CEO Nadav Zafrir: Check Point’s future is bright, and we are focused on driving market share expansion and taking growth to the next levels.

Air India credit: Shutterstock Air India to inaugurate Tel Aviv-Mumbai route

The announcement comes a week after Air India said it would resume Tel Aviv-Delhi flights in March.

Guardknox founders Photo: Tom Bergman Car cybersecurity co GuardKnox seeks court protection

The Israeli startup, which has raised $60 million, has ongoing liabilities of NIS 11 million that it will struggle to repay without legal arrangements.

Twitter Facebook Linkedin RSS Newsletters גלובס Israel Business Conference 2018