BetterLife Enters Into Research Agreement with UCSD for TD-0148A Behavioural Pharmacology Studies

Rhea-AI Summary

BetterLife Pharma has announced a research agreement with the laboratory of Dr. Adam L. Halberstadt at UCSD to explore TD-0148A, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD, for the treatment of severe treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. The collaboration aims to leverage Dr. Halberstadt's expertise in psychedelic pharmacology to evaluate TD-0148A's potential in preclinical behavioral studies. This development aligns with BetterLife's focus on addressing the unmet needs in mental health treatments, reflecting a strategic push into innovative therapeutic solutions.

Positive

• Research partnership with UCSD enhances credibility and expertise in psychedelic pharmacology.
• TD-0148A targets high unmet needs in treating psychiatric disorders like severe treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
• Potential to offer non-hallucinogenic alternatives to traditional psychedelics could broaden market appeal.

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 24, 2021 / 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, announces an agreement with the laboratory of Dr. Adam L. Halberstadt at the University of California San Diego ("UCSD") for TD-0148A preclinical behavioural pharmacology studies. TD-0148A is a second-generation lysergic acid diethylamide ("LSD") derivative that BetterLife believes will mimic the therapeutic potential of LSD without producing hallucinogenic effects or other psychoactive side-effects.

"TD-0148A is a potential new therapy to treat debilitating psychiatric disorders with high unmet need, such as severe treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. BetterLife's goal is to bring this treatment to the clinic as soon as possible, and the expertise of Dr. Halberstadt, a leading scientist in the field of psychedelic behavioural pharmacology, will help us realize our vision" said BetterLife's Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Doroudian.

As part of the research agreement, Dr. Halberstadt's team will work with BetterLife to test TD-0148A in various preclinical models that are established in their lab. The team's expertise is to understand how psychedelics and related compounds interact with the serotonergic system and how those molecules could be developed to treat psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Halberstadt's research focuses on the pharmacology of psychedelic drugs and their derivatives. He is a co-founder of the Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative at UCSD and served as the primary editor of the 2018 book Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to examine TD-0148A in our established preclinical models," said Dr. Halberstadt. "Given the high rate of resistance to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other first-line treatments for major depressive disorder, there is an urgent need for new anti-depressant medications. LSD and other psychedelic drugs have been shown to have anti-depressant effects, but some patients will not tolerate their hallucinogenic effects. Therefore, non-hallucinogenic derivatives of these drugs, such as TD-0148A, represent a promising alternative."

About BetterLife Pharma

BetterLife Pharma Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of next-generation psychedelic products for the treatment of mental disorders. Utilizing drug delivery platform technologies, BetterLife is also refining and developing drug candidates from a broad set of complementary interferon-based technologies which have the potential to engage the immune system to fight virus infections, such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and human papillomavirus.

For further information, please visit www.abetterlifepharma.com.

About UC San Diego School of Medicine

Established in 1968, UCSD School of Medicine is consistently ranked among the top medical school programs in the country for primary care and research by U.S. News & World Report and among the top 10 medical schools for National Institutes of Health total funding. The school is internationally recognized as a place where discoveries are delivered - bringing breakthroughs from the research lab to patients' bedsides. Faculty members care for patients at UC San Diego Health, where primary care is available at several convenient locations throughout San Diego County, and our advanced specialty care consistently ranks among the nation's best. For more information, please visit medschool.ucsd.edu.

CONTACT:
Ahmad Doroudian, Chief Executive Officer

Email: ahmad.doroudian@blifepharma.com

Phone: 604-221-0595

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

No securities exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization, and regulatory compliance issues, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

SOURCE: BetterLife Pharma

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/637000/BetterLife-Enters-Into-Research-Agreement-with-UCSD-for-TD-0148A-Behavioural-Pharmacology-Studies

FAQ

What is the recent news about BetterLife Pharma (BETRF)?

BetterLife Pharma has entered into a research agreement with UCSD to conduct studies on TD-0148A, a non-hallucinogenic LSD derivative, aimed at treating severe mental health disorders.

What is TD-0148A and its significance for BetterLife Pharma?

TD-0148A is a second-generation LSD derivative being studied for its therapeutic effects on treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, potentially revolutionizing mental health treatments.

Who is involved in the TD-0148A studies for BetterLife Pharma?

Dr. Adam L. Halberstadt's laboratory at UCSD is conducting the preclinical studies on TD-0148A.

What psychiatric disorders is BetterLife Pharma focusing on with TD-0148A?

BetterLife Pharma is focusing on severe treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with TD-0148A.