VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development of BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide (“LSD”), announced it has completed its animal GLP cardiopulmonary safety study of BETR-001. The study demonstrated that oral BETR-001 at doses over 100-fold the projected starting dose in upcoming human trials did not show any significant cardiopulmonary pharmacological safety issues in animals.
Cardiopulmonary safety (also known as telemetry) studies investigate the effect of a drug in animals using surgically implanted transmitters to assess blood pressure, electrocardiography (ECG), lung respiration, body temperature, and general activity level. The BETR-001 cardiopulmonary study found no BETR-001 related effects on ECG intervals, respiratory parameters, core body temperature, or activity levels.
Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife, commented, “We are very excited about these findings. BETR-001 is a unique non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD with robust activity in animal depression and anxiety models without the burden of being hallucinogenic. Our previous in vitro neuroreceptor pharmacology studies (Cell Report 2023) had shown that BETR-001 is not an agonist at the 5-HT2B receptor. This is in marked contrast to LSD, psilocybin, and many other serotonergic psychedelics which are known to be agonists at the 5-HT2B receptor. Agonism at the 5-HT2B receptor is a known cause of cardiac toxicity (Pharmacol. Ther. 2011). The clean safety profile of BETR-001 in our completed cardiopulmonary study in animals further supports the claim that BETR-001 demonstrates much better cardiac safety profile compared to LSD, psilocybin and other serotonergic psychedelics with 5-HT2B activity.”
Dr. Doroudian added, “We are currently completing the remaining BETR-001 IND-enabling studies and project to file the BETR-001 IND by end of 2024.”
The Company also announces that it has issued 1,035,342 common shares and 1,035,342 share purchase warrants pursuant to the conversion of principal and accrued interest on convertible debentures totalling $103,534.20. Share purchase warrants are exercisable into common shares, on a one-for-one basis, at an exercise price of $0.10 per warrant and expires on December 31, 2025.
About BetterLife Pharma
BetterLife Pharma Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company 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 major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and neuropathic pain and other neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders.
BETR-002, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is based on honokiol, the active anxiolytic ingredient of magnolia bark. BetterLife’s pending method of use and formulations patent covers treatment of anxiety related disorders including benzodiazepine dependency.
BetterLife also owns a drug candidate for the treatment of viral infections and is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development.
For further information, please visit BetterLife Pharma.