Madrigal Mental Care is an Israeli biopharmaceutical business that will introduce novel nanotechnology for delivering psilocybin via nasal spray. This technology can be used to treat or prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Biomed Israel celebrates the entire life sciences and technology industry. Past events attracted over 6000 people, while 1,000 attendees came from more than 45 countries.

The novel nasal spray system enables nose-to-brain delivery of organic nanoparticles that encapsulate molecules of psychedelic substances—in this case, psilocybin. The nasal spray delivery system is also capable of delivering ketamine and mescaline as well as MDMA and other psychedelics.

Professor Amnon Sintov of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s Department of Biomed Engineering invents nanotechnology. He obtained licensing from BGN Technology, the Technology Transfer Company of BGU.

“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,” Professor Sintov said. “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.”

A growing number of researches are looking into the potential use of psilocybin to treat depression and end-of life care. Since psilocybin is an 5-HT2A agonist, it’s being explored for its usefulness in many of these areas. The brain’s cortex is full of 5-HT2A receptors–notably in areas that control reflection, imagination, and introspection.

“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,” David Gabay, Co-Founder, and Chairman of Madrigal Mental Care said. “In vitro studies, which were carried out by Prof. Shimon Ben-Shabat from the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at BGU, show that the psilocybin doses used in the nanoparticles have a beneficial effect on inflamed brain cell cultures. With the goal of reaching safety approvals and efficacy, we are beginning rodent preclinical tests with rodents so that first-in-human trials can be initiated next year. This innovative technology is a great opportunity for us to be confident. […] 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.”

Leaders recognized the increasing need for alternate therapies for patients with conditions such as treatment-resistant 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.”

As it turns out, the benefits of microdosing psilocybin to treat depression, PTSD, and other disorders isn’t just a Reddit topic anymore, as we see it being applied in a scientific setting.

The FDA has approved a nasal spray containing esketamine to be used in the United States.

Israel is also home to a proliferation of cannabis-related medical device development as well, thanks to the country’s advanced approach to cannabis research.