Innovative clinical research in Israel
Israel is emerging as a fast growing area for initiation of innovative clinical research. Israel’s popularity as a site for clinical trials increased rapidly after the country received FDA recognition as an approved site for FDA clinical trials in 1997. As a result, Israel has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of international companies that are looking to set up joint ventures manufacturing, research and testing facilities in that country. Among the reasons cited by international companies
For carrying out clinical trials in Israel are:
The ease of rapidly recruiting and following patient popula tions for many therapeutic areas. The country is small, all citizens carry an identity card, there is an effective national health insurance program and 80 percent of the entire population belongs to the same health maintenance organization (HMO), Kupat Holim. That means that Israeli clinical trials can be started and completed much quicker, providing potential partner an edge over competitors that are based solelyin European or American sites.
Israel has one of the world’s most skilled and educated work forces, with more doctors, scientists and engineers per capita than any other nation. To date, the primary focus of Israeli Life Sciences development has been in the Medical Device sector, followed by Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical development companies. The leading therapeutic areas that these companies focus on include cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases, oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and other age related diseases area such as ophthalmology and orthopedics.
