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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 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 one of its IND-enabling genotoxicity studies of BETR-001. The studies demonstrated that oral BETR-001, even at very high doses, does not show any evidence of bone marrow toxicity or mutagenic (DNA mutation) and clastogenic (chromosome damage) activities.
The GLP genotoxicity studies conducted on BETR-001 included in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro micronucleus test, and in vivo micronucleus test in male and female rats. These studies are a critical component of the safety assessment required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and needed for entry into clinical trials.
Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife, commented, “We are very excited about these safety data that demonstrate the lack of genetic risk for our lead drug candidate. 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. The clean genotoxicity profile of BETR-001 gets us one step closer to completing our full IND-enabling studies and starting our clinical trials, as soon as the studies conclude.”
The Company also announces that it has issued 200,000 common shares and 200,000 share purchase warrants pursuant to the conversion of convertible debentures totalling $20,000 in principal. Share purchase warrants are exercisable into common shares, on a one-for-one basis, at an exercise price of $0.10 per warrant and expire on October 29, 2026.
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.