Innocan believes that CBD-loaded exosomes may hold the potential to provide anti-inflammatory properties and help infected lung cells to recover
Corporation () said Friday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ltd, has signed a letter of intent with ADVA Biotechnology Ltd to develop and produce exosomes for use in its CBD-loaded exosome (CLX) treatments.
In layman’s terms, exosomes are extracellular vesicles, crucial in cell–to-cell communication which are being explored as a means of drug delivery.
The letter of intent outlines the terms of an exosome production and development agreement which both companies intend to negotiate and conclude within 120 days from May 21. ADVA is an Israeli company that specializes in the development of end-to-end advanced therapy manufacturing solutions.
The exosome production agreement will provide a framework for the production of exosomes and related development services by ADVA.
As part of Innocan's research activities with the Tel Aviv University led by Professor Daniel Offen, Innocan intends to load the produced exosomes with CBD in its efforts to develop a treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19) and additional central nervous system disorders.
ADVA will provide its services in three crucial stages:
Stage 1: Pilot study involving the production of exosomes from 4 to 6 production runs according to Innocan’s specifications, expected to be completed in 6 to 8 weeks Stage 2: Production of exosomes from 4 to 5 different donors, conducting comparable tests, production process optimization and characterization of the final exosome product Stage 3: Upscaling the finalized exosome product for commercial productionAs part of the deal, Innocan will make certain payments to ADVA within five days of signing of the letter of intent and upon the successful completion of Stage 1.
In a statement, Innocan CEO Iris Bincovich said the company is “looking forward” to working with the ADVA team which brings “experience of many years in development of bioreactors” at the “highest level of mesenchymal stem cell production.”
“The uniqueness of the mesenchymal stem cell production unit to be developed by ADVA under the LOI and the Exosome Production Agreement is expected to provide Innocan with full control of many important parameters of the exosome production process, allowing Innocan and Professor Offen's team to optimize the exosome and production system," Bincovich added.
ADVA founder CEO Ohad Karnieli said: "We are very pleased to collaborate with Innocan and Professor Offen's team on the CLX project.”
He added: “Our technology is an excellent fit to Innocan's needs and the ability of having full control and high flexibility at the production process may lead to better, faster and high yield production of the exosomes and cells."
ADVA has developed an automated, controlled and simple to use platform for cell manufacturing.
InnoCan is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops products that harness the unique properties of cannabinoids combined with smart delivery formulations. Innocan and Tel Aviv University are collaborating on developing a new exosome-based technology that targets both central nervous system disorders and the coronavirus.
Last month, Innocan revealed that CBD-loaded Exosomes hold the potential to provide anti-inflammatory properties and help infected lung cells to recover. The company’s product, which is expected to be administrated by inhalation, will be tested against a variety of lung infections.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
