Nanotechnology invented at BGU used in Treatment and Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Madrigal Mental Care, a biopharmaceutical company developing a breakthrough delivery system for psychedelic drugs, introduces its novel nanotechnology for the treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Biomed Israel 2022, the premier international Life Science and HealthTech conference in Israel, on May 10-12, 2022, at the David InterContinental Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The advanced nanotechnology-based system is a breakthrough nasal spray that enables nose-to-brain delivery of organic nanoparticles. These biodegradable nanoparticles encapsulate molecules of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, as well as ketamine, mescaline, MDMA, and others. The nanotechnology was invented by Prof. Amnon Sintov, of BGU's Department of Biomedical Engineering and was from BGN Technologies, BGU's technology transfer company.

"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-compulsivethe  disorder, and even addiction, with low doses," said Prof. Sintov. "Due to their powerful effect on the human brain, it is imperative to be able to deliver these drugs in a safe manner and in precise doses. Our novel nanotechnology platform enables encapsulation of precise drug doses in nanoparticles that are delivered directly to the brain via an intranasal spray, in a very efficient, fast, and safe manner."

"Our technology ensures a focused and fast delivery of accurate doses of psychoactive substances. The nanoparticles are biodegradable and provide a significant advantage over common practices in terms of stability and accuracy," stated David Gabay, Co-Founder, and Chairman of Madrigal Mental Care. "In vitro studies, which were carried out by Prof. Shimon Ben-Shabat (pictured above) from BGU's Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, show that the psilocybin doses used in the nanoparticles have a beneficial effect on inflamed brain cell cultures. We are currently beginning preclinical trials with rodents with the aim of achieving efficacy and safety approvals in order to begin first-in-human clinical trials next year. We have great confidence that this novel technology, that offers a new will propel forward the field of psychedelic-based treatments, for the benefit of millions of people around the world coping with chronic and acute psychiatric conditions such as PTSD and depression."

Dr. Galit Mazooz Perlmuter, Senior Vice president of Business Development, Bio-Pharma at BGN Technologies, noted, "There is a vast need for better treatments for PTSD and other mental disorders. We have filed a patent application to protect this unique approach, which is an excellent example of the kind of breakthrough technologies originating from top scientists at the Ben-Gurion University."