Mori Arkin invests in cancer co Metallo Therapy

The start-up is believed to be the first in Israel to be headed by an Arab woman.

Moshe (Mori) Arkin's company Arkin Holdings has invested $4 million in Metallo Therapy Ltd., based at New Generation Technology (NGT) incubator in Nazareth. The company's DNA irradiation cancer therapy was developed by CEO Dr. Amal Ayoub, a physicist.

"Metallo Therapy irradiated cancer tumors with atomic particles as a prelude to irradiation therapy," Ayoub told "Globes". "During the irradiation, these particles absorb the radiation and release it at more focused strengths in the area of the tumor. The product is basically a very stable gold nanoparticle that is injected into the bloodstream and selectively makes its way to the cancerous tumors, because tumor cells are particularly vulnerable to these particles."

Ayoub added, "Until now, there was a problem injecting these metals into the cells, because they were unstable and were liable to be toxic when interacting with the body. We attached a coating to these particles, which prevents them from interacting with the body, rendering the particles non-toxic."

"Globes": What stage is the company at?

Ayoub: "We're conducting small animal trials. If the results are good, we'll move onto more complex and expensive trials. We have a long, complicated, and expensive way to go to reach market, which is why Mori Arkin's investment is important for us."

Arkin Holdings pharma divisaion director Pini Orbach said, "We decided to invest in Metallo Therapy because we believe it has innovative technology for treating cancer, excellent basic science, and management with the necessary skills. We also believe that the Arab community has much talent in the life sciences, and that investments of this kind will help promote Jewish-Arab cooperation in various fields."

NGT CEO Nasri Said said, "The investment agreement with Mori Arkin for a company that is still at the incubator is another important step in implementing our strategy and vision to integrate the Arab community into with Israel's entrepreneurial culture in high tech and biotech. NGT is the only applied sciences company with direct access to the community's untapped scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial potential."

Nazareth-based NGT was set up to integrate Jewish and Arab ventures. Investors include Davidi Gilo, Qualcomm founder Gary Jacobs, and New York investment bank Rothschild Inc.

"Globes" believes that Ayoub is the first Israeli Arab woman high-tech entrepreneur. She told "Globes", "I also believe that this is correct. I feel no difference between me and any other entrepreneur. It's all a question of character, determination, and hard work."

Is it true that the Arab community encourages start-ups less than the general community?

"Not at all. Start-ups in the community are sprouting like mushrooms after the rain. We're beginning to realize that high tech and technology are just as important for making progress in the Arab community as they are important for the progress of the country as a whole."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 8, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011

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