Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc told investors it continued to advance towards a Phase 1 clinical trial of DMT to treat stroke, as the company unveiled more positive pre-clinical data from an in vitro study.
The drug-repurposing firm is researching AP-188 (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, or DMT), a psychedelic compound, as a potential treatment for the rehabilitation of stroke.
In the latest study, the brain cells of rats were treated with DMT or vehicle for timepoints of 1, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours at varying concentrations, and then allowed to grow until 72 hours total growth time had elapsed, the firm said in a statement.
The results showed that the six-hour period was superior to other treatment time periods and doses. Algernon also confirmed that the increased growth was achieved with a sub-hallucinogenic dose.
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"This is Algernon’s second preclinical study confirming that DMT stimulates brain cell growth at sub-psychedelic doses,” said Algernon CEO Christopher J. Moreau in a statement.
"In addition, the data is showing that a maximum effect is seen at 6 hours exposure which would translate well for clinical use. We look forward to moving the research program on to a Phase 1 study," he added.
Algernon submitted a pre-investigational new drug (IND) request to the FDA in March this year.
In June 2021, it revealed that all of the required permits and licenses for the drug's manufacture had been received. As a result, the company said it was targeting its Phase 1 human study to be conducted at Hammersmith Medicines Research in the UK in the fourth quarter, 2021.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com