Israel’s novel nasal spray delivers psychedelic drugs for PTSD

Madrigal Mental Care’s nano-formulation enables nose-to-brain delivery of biodegradable nanoparticles carrying psychedelics such as psilocybin.

By Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c

Israeli biopharmaceutical company Madrigal Mental Care is developing a novel nasal spray to deliver psychedelic drugs to the brain for treating and preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The nanotechnology-based delivery system will be introduced at the Biomed Israel 2022 international Life Science and HealthTech conference in Tel Aviv, May 10-12.

It is estimated that approximately 3.5% of American adults had PTSD in the past year.

Treatment traditionally includes psychotherapy as well as medications that affect the neurotransmitters serotonin or norepinephrine (SSRIs and SNRIs). The remission rate, however, is high.

The experimental spray contains biodegradable nanoparticles encapsulating molecules of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”), ketamine, mescaline and MDMA (Ecstasy).

“An increasing number of studies point to the advantages of using psychedelic drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even addiction, with low doses,” said the system’s inventor, Prof. Amnon Sintov of the department of biomedical engineering at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).

“Due to their powerful effect on the human brain, it is imperative to be able to deliver these drugs in a safe manner and precise doses,” he said.

The technology was licensed to Madrigal Mental Care by BGN Technologies, the tech-transfer company of BGU.

David Gabay, cofounder and chairman of Madrigal, said the system provides “a significant advantage over common practices in terms of stability and accuracy.”

So far, the psilocybin doses have been tested on inflamed brain cell cultures in lab studies carried out by Prof. Shimon Ben-Shabat from BGU’s department of biochemistry and pharmacology.

“We are currently beginning pre-clinical trials with rodents with the aim of achieving efficacy and safety approvals in order to begin first-in-human clinical trials next year,” said Gabay.

“There is a vast need for better treatments for PTSD and other mental disorders,” noted Galit Mazooz Perlmuter of BGN Technologies. “We have filed a patent application to protect this unique approach.”