Silo Pharma's ketamine implant for fibromyalgia shows promise

The company, which is developing novel formulations and drug delivery systems for traditional therapeutics and psychedelic treatments, is currently conducting a pre-clinical research study investigating the treatment, named SP-26.

The study, which aims to determine drug release and stability, found that SP-26 polymer implants were blended with ketamine hydrochloride (ketamine HCL) in two loadings, 20% and 40%.

In addition, analysis demonstrated that the drug was successfully loaded into the engineered particles to encapsulate the implantable treatment.

The structural stability and integrity of both the 20% and 40% loaded implants were maintained, with no leakage, degradation, or discoloration.

“Implantable drug delivery systems like SP-26 may provide sustained drug delivery for prolonged periods of time, which is critical for the treatment of chronic pain conditions,” said Eric Weisblum, CEO of Silo.

“We believe the initial testing provided sufficient validation of the delivery system for SP-26 and accordingly, our focus has shifted to testing of the ketamine formulation to measure drug dissolution and time-release action.”

Weisblum added that conventional oral and injectable drugs typically provide peaks of concentration in blood, followed by diminished concentration that falls outside of the therapeutic window.

However, Silo believes that implantable drug delivery systems can offer a superior delivery alternative for sustained relief from chronic pain.

If clinically successful, SP-26 could qualify for the FDA’s streamlined regulatory pathway for drug approval.

Silo’s portfolio also includes lead candidate SPC-15, an intranasal treatment targeting PTSD and stress-induced anxiety disorders.