VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development and commercialization of cutting-edge treatments for mental disorders, today announced that its development of 2-bromo-LSD was highlighted in Carleton University’s articled titled “Beyond the Magic of Mushrooms: Using Psychedelic Derivatives to Treat Depression”. The article discusses the therapeutic potential of 2-bromo-LSD in treating depression. BetterLife’s BETR-001 is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies and projected to enter human trials in 2024.
BetterLife also announces the closing of $65,000 10% convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”) maturing on February 28, 2026 to further advance development of its lead compound, BETR-001. The Convertible Debentures are convertible at the option of the holder into units of the Company, consisting of one common share and one share purchase warrant, at a conversion price of $0.10 per unit. Each share purchase warrant will have an exercise price of $0.10 and will expire on August 31, 2026.
The Company is also intending to complete further private placement offerings (the “Private Placement”) of convertible debentures in March 2024, with proceeds from the Private Placement to be used for advancement of BETR-001 and general working capital purposes. Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is intending to subscribe for a total of $100,000 convertible debentures in the Private Placement. The participation of Dr. Doroudian in the Private Placement will constitute a “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (“MI 61-101“). The issuance to the insider will be exempt from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in section 5.5(b) as none of the securities of the Company are listed on a specified stock exchange. The transaction will be exempt from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of exemption contained in section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101. Neither the fair market value of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, will not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.
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 such as COVID-19 and is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development.