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Highlights

  • Ex vivo tests show consistent mucosal coverage using fluorescent imaging on rabbit nasal tissue
  • Mucoadhesive properties retained under simulated nasal fluid flow, supporting prolonged formulation retention
  • Platform targets localized delivery and protection against airborne biological threats

Polyrizon Ltd. (Nasdaq: PLRZ), a biotech firm focused on intranasal hydrogel technologies, has released findings from recent ex vivo studies demonstrating key performance characteristics of its proprietary formulation. The tests focused on two critical aspects: surface coverage and mucoadhesion—both fundamental to the platform’s intended function for localized protection or therapeutic delivery.

The studies were carried out in collaboration with Prof. Fabio Sonvico’s laboratory, using excised rabbit nasal mucosa to simulate human nasal conditions. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy, a high-resolution imaging technique, revealed that the formulation rapidly and uniformly spread across the nasal tissue. This uniform surface layer, validated using fluorescent markers, provides visual confirmation of the hydrogel's ability to cover the mucosa extensively—an important feature for therapeutic consistency and potential barrier functions.

In parallel, mucoadhesion testing showed that the formulation maintained attachment to the tissue even when exposed to simulated nasal fluid flow, mimicking the dynamic environment inside the human nose. This prolonged retention is essential to ensure the formulation remains in place long enough to deliver therapeutic agents effectively or provide a barrier against external biological threats.

These findings reinforce Polyrizon’s focus on creating formulation technologies capable of addressing challenges in intranasal drug delivery, including short retention times due to mucociliary clearance. By achieving both broad coverage and strong mucoadhesion, the platform could support a range of potential applications, from nasal vaccines to barrier protection against allergens or pathogens.

While the company remains in the development stage, the study results offer early technical validation of its formulation approach. The next steps for Polyrizon are expected to include further preclinical evaluations and exploration of regulatory pathways for clinical use, although no specific timelines have been disclosed.