Company's non-hallucinogenic formulation has shown positive results for anxiety and depression
BetterLife Pharma Inc. said May 1 it has begun toxicity studies on its LSD treatment for anxiety and depression.
The biotech company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, has advanced in its investigational new drug (IND) enabling studies for BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
BetterLife has completed the first set of GLP (good laboratory practices) toxicology study of oral BETR-001 in animals, which shows it’s well tolerated even with repeat dosing at high doses, says BetterLife CEO Dr. Ahmad Doroudian.
“BETR-001 is a unique non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD, which we have shown has robust activity in animal depression and anxiety models without the burden of being hallucinogenic,” Doroudian said.
The company has begun the next phase of the toxicology studies that will support the filing of BETR-001’s IND application with the FDA to begin human clinical trials.
The company expects to file the BETR-001 IND by end of 2024.