BetterLife Pharma Inc (CSE:BETR, OTCQB:BETRF), which is focused on the development of treatments for mental disorders, revealed that it is working with its collaborators on a key research publication on its LSD-derivative molecule BETR-001, and plans to submit it to a prestigious peer-review journal for assessment and critique by the end of September this year.
The Vancouver, British Columbia-based biotech said that the publication will present data from a comprehensive preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo characterization of BETR-001, its proprietary 2-bromo-LSD, conducted in collaboration with three leading investigators in the field: Dr Adam L Halberstadt from the University of California San Diego, Dr Argel Aguilar-Valles from the Carleton University in Canada, and Dr John D McCorvy from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the United States.
The publication will include a pharmacological profiling of BETR-001 against more than 30 key neuroreceptors in parallel with its parent compound lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), as well as in-vivo studies in mouse models, showing the non-hallucinogenic profile of BETR-001, as well as its effective structural neuroplasticity and anti-depressant profile.
In addition, BetterLife said the research will provide insight into the mechanism for the non-hallucinogenic activity of BETR-001, as well as other key pharmacological differences between BETR-001 and LSD, which could potentially translate into significant therapeutic benefits of BETR-001.
In line with the journal’s regulations, a pre-publication pre-print will be posted as soon as possible for the public, said the company.
In a statement, BetterLife CEO Ahmad Doroudian said: “This is the first comprehensive preclinical characterization of 2-bromo-LSD, the non-hallucinogenic congener of LSD.”
He added, “The studies were conducted using BetterLife’s proprietary 2-bromo-LSD (patent pending). The mechanistic data showing the differences between LSD and BETR-001 highlight the significant potential therapeutic benefits of BETR-001. We are excited to be able to study these in our BETR-001 human clinical trials projected to start in 2023.”
BetterLife Pharma is primarily focused on developing and commercializing two compounds, BETR-001 and BETR-002, to treat neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders. BETR-001, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is a non-hallucinogenic and non-controlled LSD derivative in development and it is unique in that it is unregulated and therefore, can be self-administered.
BetterLife’s synthesis patent for BETR-001 eliminates regulatory hurdles and its pending patent for composition and method of use covers treatment of depression, cluster headaches, post-traumatic stress disorder and other neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Meanwhile, BETR-002, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is based on honokiol and the company’s pending method of use and formulations patent covers treatment of anxiety-related disorders, including benzodiazepine dependency.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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