Issue 183

Shortwave Life Sciences hits major milestone with positive patent claim

Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY:Aquis AQSE) has received a positive patent report from the PCT confirming its mucoadhesive buccal film as a novel and inventive drug delivery platform for psychedelic-based drugs.

The company is working to transform Anorexia nervosa care through innovative approaches and treatments, including psychedelics. Anorexia nervosa is a complex mental health condition as well as a metabolic disease, with one of the highest fatality rates. However, there is currently no FDA-approved pharmacological treatment for the condition, underlining an urgent need for innovation in this area.

Rivki Stern Youdkevich, CEO of Shortwave Life Sciences, commented: “This acknowledgement by the PCT committee is very important for us as we progress in our drug development path.

“The PCT’s examining committee’s report acknowledging all our claims as free of prior art confirms our belief in our patient-focused IP and drug development strategy. As we move to the national phase, we are reaffirmed in our mission of pioneering breakthrough therapies that transform the landscape of mental health care, especially psychedelics-based.”

AUSTRALIA'S PSYCHEDELICS COME WITH A CATCH

Bloomberg reports that an activist couple that persuaded Australian regulators to clear MDMA and psilocybin for medical use have become magnets for controversy in the process.

“The pair are now the faces of Australia’s pioneering embrace of psychedelics, for better or worse. To their allies, they’re an inspiring example of the power of determined outsiders to change policy for the benefit of patients. To their detractors—who include many scientists working to evaluate psychedelics—they’re amateurs who may end up discrediting the very substances they promote.”

CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVES TO PSYCHEDELIC PROHIBITION

A new report from Rand has explored alternatives to psychedelic drug prohibition.

The report aims to present new data and analysis to help inform policymakers participating in discussions around psychedelic access in the United States and other countries.

Key recommendations, such as the need for improved data infrastructure on psychedelics to better support policy analyses, are included for those participating in psychedelics policy debates and analysis such as policymakers.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

A new study has provided insights into the molecular actions of 5-MeO-DMT in the brain related to anxiolytic effects of behaviour.

Psilocybin has been found to reduce cluster headache frequency by 50% in new study, reports PsyPost.

A study has examined psychedelic 5-HT2A/2C agonist, DOI, effects on dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens core.

A New Zealand study is aiming to explore perceptions of psychedelics, such as how drug stigma affects perceptions.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

KPBS reports that a lack of regulations has raised concerns in California as psychedelic microdosing gains popularity.

A bill aimed at streamlining applications for the study of psychedelics has been sent to the California Governor.

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Silo Pharma has announced an Exclusive, Global License for its lead candidate SPC-15 targeting PTSD and Stress-Induced Anxiety Disorders.

MindBio has issued an update on its two currently dosing Phase 2B clinical trials which include assessing MB22001, MindBio’s lead candidate drug in treating MDD and End of Life Distress.

Optimind Pharma has closed the first tranche of its private placement and expects to close the second in the next couple of weeks.

Red Light Holland has announced the culmination of a research collaboration with Professor David Nutt and Drug Science, which elucidates distinct microdosing usage patterns.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

A new report advises businesses that UK consumers might ditch alcohol in the future for other psychotropic products such as cannabis and psychedelics.

On 2 July, the European Union Drugs Agency started working in Lisbon replacing the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.