Michal Izrael - פקולטה לביולוגיה Biology Faculty

Education / Resume

PhD, 2009, Molecular Genetics& Cell development, Weizmann institute of science, Israel.
M.Sc. 2005, Neuroscience& Developmental biology, Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Israel.
B.Sc. 2003, Biotechnology &Animal sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Israel • 2003 – 2005.

Industry Experience

Founder & CEO
Leverage Bio Ltd. 2025-Present
A Startup company developing intravenously injectable disease modifying treatment (Ageineer©) solution for the treatment of Alzheimer disease and other age-related diseases.

VP of Research and Development (R&D)
Kadimastem Ltd • 2021 – Nov 2024
Development of human astrocytes (AstroRx®) cell therapy for the treatment of ALS disease (Clinical stage) and Insulin secreting Islets (IsletRx) for the treatment of insulin dependent Diabetes.

VP of R&D (Neurology)
Kadimastem Ltd • 2017 – 2021

Head of drug screening& Neurology Dept.
Kadimastem Ltd • 2009 – 2017

Research Summary

Our Research is rooted in advancing Regenerative Medicine, with a focus on:

1. Harnessing the unique properties of young progenitor cells to repair and rejuvenate aging tissues. At Lever-age Bio, we are developing a novel injectable rejuvenation solution designed to act through multiple mechanisms to treat Alzheimer Disease and other age-related diseases by reversing hallmark processes of aging and restoration of physiological functions.

2. Cell-Therapies product development: Developing pluripotent stem cell-based clinical-grade cell therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. ALS) and Diabetes. This work spans the entire translational pipeline – from basic science (POC, MOA, etc), advanced preclinical efficacy and safety studies, cell product manufacturing under GMP conditions for clinical use, establishment of Quality control and assurance systems, planning and performing clinical trials (protocols, EDM, ICF, SAP, etc), paving the regulatory strategy followed by Pre-IND/IND/BLA application submissions and intellectual property protection by several patents families.

3. Under faculty activities: Develop courses covering multiple aspects on pharmaceutical and biotech clinical product development for Biology and MBA students. Support Faculty research groups in identifying and advancing promising technologies toward translation and commercialization. Introducing faculty members with current activities and innovations of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Provide the necessary support to facilitate students’ integration into industrial roles

Key Publications

1. Michal Izrael, Judith Chebath, Kfir Molakandov and Michel Revel. Clinical perspective on pluripotent stem cells derived therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. J. of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. Under review, 2024.
2. Tehila Sonnenfeld*, Einat Rauchbach*, Rotem Downey*, Daniel Blumenkrants, Graciela Kuperstein, Noam Kronfeld, Raanan Margalit, Vered Morad, Abraham Nyska, Shalom Guy Slutsky, Michel Revel and Michal Izrael. Toxicity studies on intrathecal injection of low dose of DMSO used for cryopreservation of human astrocytes in mice. Journal of Clinical Toxicology, 2024 (DOI: 10.35248/2161-0495.23.13.553).
3. Marc Gotkine*, Yoseph Caraco*, Yossef Lerner*, Simcha Blotnick, Maor Wanounou, Shalom Guy Slutsky, Judith Chebath, Graciela Kuperstein, Elena Estrin, Tamir Ben-Hur, Arik Hasson, Kfir Molakandov, Tehila Sonnenfeld, Yafit Stark, Ariel Revel, Michel Revel, Michal Izrael. Safety and efficacy of first-in-human Intrathecal Transplantation of Human Astrocytes (AstroRx) in ALS Patients: Phase 1/2s Clinical Trial results. Journal of Translational Medicine, 2023 (doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-03903-3).
4. Izrael, M.; Molakandov, K.; Revel, A.; Slutsky, S. G.; Sonnenfeld, T.; Weiss, J. M.; Revel, M., Astrocytes Downregulate Inflammation in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Applicability to COVID-19. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021, 8, 740071.
5. Izrael, M.; Slutsky, S. G.; Revel, M., Rising Stars: Astrocytes as a Therapeutic Target for ALS Disease. Front Neurosci 2020, 14, 824.
6. Izrael, M.; Slutsky, S.; Revel, M., Astrocytes in Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and Potential Translation into Clinic. Intech book publications 2019, Glia in Health and Disease (DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.88261).
7. Izrael, M.; Slutsky, S. G.; Admoni, T.; Cohen, L.; Granit, A.; Hasson, A.; Itskovitz-Eldor, J.; Krush Paker, L.; Kuperstein, G.; Lavon, N.; Yehezkel Ionescu, S.; Solmesky, L. J.; Zaguri, R.; Zhuravlev, A.; Volman, E.; Chebath, J.; Revel, M., Safety and efficacy of human embryonic stem cell-derived astrocytes following intrathecal transplantation in SOD1(G93A) and NSG animal models. Stem cell research & therapy 2018, 9 (1), 152.

Open Call:
We (Dr. Dror Melamed and Dr. Michal Izrael) encourage you to reach out for any support you need to advance your technologies and ideas toward industrial translation or other related endeavors.

Yerushalmi Y, Bhargava K, Gilon C and Pener MP (2002). Structure-activity relations of the dark-colour-inducing neurohormone of locusts. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 32(8): 909-917.

Wilson TG, Yerushalmi Y, Donnell DM and Restifo LL (2006). Interaction between hormonal signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster as revealed by genetic interaction between Methoprene-tolerant and Broad- Complex. Genetics 172(1): 253-264.

Recent Publications

Saad Y, Anabosi M, Anava S, A,Golan N, Yerushalmi Y, and Ayali A (2012). Fly neurons in culture: a model for neural development and pathology. Journal of Molecular Histology 43(4):421-430.

Gerchman Y, Dodek I, Petichov R, Yerushalmi Y, Lerner A and Keasar T (2012). Beyond pollinator attraction: Extra-floral displays deter herbivores in a Mediterranean annual plant. Evolutionary Ecology 26: 499-512.