SciSparc to Collaborate With Polyrizon for Brain Targeting Using Intranasal Hydrogel Systems

SciSparc Ltd. recently announced it has signed a collaboration agreement with Polyrizon Ltd., a biotech company focused on the development of innovative medical device hydrogels delivered in the form of nasal sprays.

As part of the collaboration, the two companies will work to develop a unique technology for the treatment of pain, based on SciSparc’s SCI-160 platform and Polyrizon’s Trap and Target intranasal drug delivery technology to target the central nervous system.

SciSparc’ s top-tier investigational drug candidate, SCI-160, is an innovative and proprietary, non-opioid, CB2 receptor (CB2R) agonist intended for the treatment of pain. This specific CB2R agonist was synthesized by Professor Raphael Mechoulam, PhD.

CB2R specific agonists have been found to be involved in mediating analgesic effects in the peripheral nervous system, without psychotropic activity or significant side effects.

The Trap and Target platform is designed to allow a long residence time, sustained release, and intimate contact with the mucosal tissue for a targeted intranasal delivery of drugs, which primarily allows drug entry to the brain directly through the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways for therapeutic purposes.

By using this state-of-the-art drug delivery technology with SciSparc’s proprietary SCI-160 platform, the goal of the collaboration is to develop a proprietary intranasal formulation aimed at maintaining effective concentrations of SCI-160 in the brain to significantly relieve pain.

Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani, SciSparc’s Chief Technologies Officer, said “SciSparc’s objective to revolutionize cannabinoids treatment and to develop best in class therapies continues with this collaboration agreement as we work to develop effective approaches to intranasal drug delivery, which is one of the preferred delivery options for targeting the brain. Partnering with Polyrizon and taking advantage of their innovative delivery technology may create mutual opportunities to develop treatments for pain.”

Under the collaboration agreement, SciSparc will pay development fees to Polyrizon up to a total of $2,550,000 upon the completion of certain milestones, as well as royalties in the low single digits upon sales of products under the agreement and additional royalties for sales under any sublicense by SciSparc.

SciSparc has previously achieved positive results in a series of pre-clinical trials in which the efficacy and safety of SCI-160 was demonstrated in both acute and chronic pain. Moreover, results of the studies showed not only that the drug was well tolerated and did not cause any significant adverse clinical effects, but efficacy studies demonstrated the analgesic superiority of SCI-160 over control and were comparable to high-dose morphine analgesic effects, and in some instances exerted greater potency.

Oz Adler, SciSparc’s Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the board of directors of Polyrizon.

SciSparc Ltd. is a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company led by an experienced team of senior executives and scientists. Our focus is on creating and enhancing a portfolio of technologies and assets based on cannabinoid pharmaceuticals. With this focus, the Company is currently engaged in the following drug development programs based on THC and/or non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD): SCI-110 for the treatment of Tourette syndrome, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and agitation; SCI-160 for the treatment of pain; and SCI-210 for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and status epilepticus. For more information, visit https://scisparc.com/.