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FSD Pharma Receives Ethics Committee Approval for a Phase-1 Multiple Ascending Doses Clinical Trial for Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS) in Australia

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FSD Pharma announced that it received approval from Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to commence a Phase 1 clinical trial for Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS). This trial will study the safety and pharmacokinetics of Lucid-21-302 in healthy adult participants using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose design. Lucid-21-302 is a neuroprotective compound aimed at treating multiple sclerosis (MS) by preventing demyelination. This approval marks a significant milestone in the drug's clinical development. Additionally, FSD Pharma issued 400,000 Class B shares at $0.30 each to settle $120,000 in debt.

Positive
  • Approval from HREC in Australia for Phase 1 trial of Lucid-21-302.
  • Lucid-21-302 aims to treat multiple sclerosis by preventing demyelination.
Negative
  • Issuance of 400,000 Class B shares could dilute existing shareholders.

Insights

The approval of the Ethics Committee for the Phase-1 Multiple Ascending Doses Clinical Trial for Lucid-21-302 by FSD Pharma represents a significant milestone in drug development, especially for a treatment aimed at managing multiple sclerosis (MS). This type of trial (Phase-1) is important because it's the first time the drug will be tested in humans, primarily to assess its safety and pharmacokinetics (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted in the body). The fact that Lucid-21-302 is described as a first-in-class, non-immunomodulatory, neuroprotective compound with a unique mechanism of action suggests a potential breakthrough in treating MS.

In layman’s terms, this drug aims to protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord from damage without affecting the immune system, which could provide a new treatment avenue distinct from current MS therapies that often involve modulating the immune system's activity.

From a financial perspective, receiving approval to commence a Phase-1 trial is a positive signal for investors. It shows progress in the drug development pipeline, which is essential for biopharmaceutical companies like FSD Pharma. Successful progression through clinical trials can significantly enhance the company's valuation and investor confidence due to the potential future market of the drug. However, it is important to note that Phase-1 trials are just the beginning of a lengthy and costly process and success at this stage does not guarantee eventual FDA approval or commercial success.

The issuance of 400,000 Class B Subordinate Voting shares to settle an amount of 120,000 at a deemed price of 0.30 per share indicates a strategic approach to manage debt without impacting cash reserves. This move may also signal that the company is trying to maintain its liquidity and invest more in its R&D activities, but it dilutes the existing shareholders' equity.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2024 / FSD Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:HUGE)(CSE:HUGE)(FRA:0K9A) ("FSD Pharma"), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions to address ailments affecting millions worldwide, today announces that it has received approval by the human ethics review committee (HREC) in Australia for its trial entitled "A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple Ascending Dose Study to Evaluate the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Lucid-21-302 in Healthy Adult Participants."

Lucid-21-302 is a first-in-class, non-immunomodulatory, neuroprotective compound with a unique mechanism of action for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is a patented New Chemical Entity that has been shown in preclinical models to prevent demyelination, a known cause of MS and other neurogenerative diseases characterized by damage to the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system.

"After much hard work designing this MAD trial, we are thrilled that we have received HREC approval, and the trial can now commence. This marks an important step in the clinical development of Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS)," said Dr. Andrzej Chruscinski, Vice-President, Scientific and Clinical Affairs at FSD Pharma.

In addition, the company issued 400,000 Class B Subordinate Voting shares in the capital of the Corporation ("Class B Shares") to arm's length creditors at the deemed price of $0.30 per Class B Share to settle an aggregate of $120,000 of amounts owing.

About FSD Pharma

FSD Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions for the treatment of challenging neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders and alcohol misuse disorders with drug candidates in different stages of development. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc. ("Lucid"), FSD is focused on the research and development of its lead compound, Lucid-MS (formerly Lucid-21-302) ("Lucid-MS"). Lucid-MS is a patented new chemical entity shown to prevent and reverse myelin degradation, the underlying mechanism of multiple sclerosis, in preclinical models. FSD Pharma invented unbuzzd™ and spun it out its OTC version to a company, Celly Nutrition, led by industry veterans. FSD retains ownership of 25.71% (March 31, 2024) of Celly Nutrition Corp. at www.cellynutrition.com. The agreement with Celly Nutrition also includes royalty payments of 7% of sales from unbuzzd ™ until payments to FSD Pharma total $250 million. Once $250 million is reached, the royalty drops to 3% in perpetuity. Additionally, FSD Pharma retains a large tax loss carry forward of approximately CAD$130 million and could be utilized in the future to offset tax payable obligations against future profits. FSD Pharma retains 100% of the rights to develop similar product or alternative formulations specifically for pharmaceutical / medical uses. FSD Pharma maintains a portfolio of strategic investments through its wholly owned subsidiary, FSD Strategic Investments Inc., which represent loans secured by residential or commercial property.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "plans", "expects", "expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "hopes", "planned" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or states that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "potentially" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. More particularly, and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements concerning the future of FSD Pharma and are based on certain assumptions that FSD Pharma has made in respect thereof as of the date of this press release, including those relating to Celly Nu and its launch of unbuzzd™; benefits, claims, and timelines with respect to unbuzzd™; details of the partnerships of Celly Nu, including the stated benefits of the BevSource partnership; the Company's business and goals, including the continued research and development of Lucid-MS, unbuzzd™, novel formulations for alcohol misuse disorders, and treatments for use in the healthcare sector; and the continued maintenance of its strategic investment portfolio. FSD Pharma cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct.

Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions that although it believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct and these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements, of which assumptions include: the Company will satisfy all applicable listing and regulatory requirements of the CSE and Nasdaq; the fact that the drug development efforts of the Company and Lucid are at a very early stage; the fact that preclinical drug development is uncertain, and the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid may never advance to clinical trials; the fact that results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of the results of later stage clinical trials; the uncertain outcome, cost, and timing of product development activities, preclinical studies and clinical trials of the Company and Lucid; the uncertain clinical development process, including the risk that clinical trials may not have an effective design or generate positive results; the potential inability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval of the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the introduction of competing drugs that are safer, more effective or less expensive than, or otherwise superior to, the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the initiation, conduct, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials may be delayed, adversely affected or impacted by unforeseen issues; the potential inability to obtain adequate financing; the potential inability to obtain or maintain intellectual property protection for the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the Company's inability to benefit from Celly Nu and its launch of unbuzzd™; the Company's inability to realize upon the benefits, claims, and timelines with respect to unbuzzd™; the Company's inability to realize upon the stated benefit from the partnerships of Celly Nu; the Company's inability to carryout its business and goals, including the continued research and development of Lucid-MS, unbuzzd™, novel formulations for alcohol misuse disorders, and treatments for use in the healthcare sector; and the Company's inability to maintain its strategic investment portfolio. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: the timing and ability to satisfy all applicable listing and regulatory requirements of the CSE and Nasdaq; the fact that the drug development efforts of the Company and Lucid are at a very early stage; the fact that preclinical drug development is uncertain, and the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid may never advance to clinical trials; the fact that results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of the results of later stage clinical trials; the uncertain outcome, cost, and timing of product development activities, preclinical studies and clinical trials of the Company and Lucid; the uncertain clinical development process, including the risk that clinical trials may not have an effective design or generate positive results; the potential inability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval of the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the introduction of competing drugs that are safer, more effective or less expensive than, or otherwise superior to, the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the initiation, conduct, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials may be delayed, adversely affected or impacted by unforeseen issues; the potential inability to obtain adequate financing; the potential inability to obtain or maintain intellectual property protection for the drug product candidates of the Company and Lucid; the Company's inability to benefit from Celly Nu and its launch of unbuzzd™; the Company's inability to realize upon the benefits, claims, and timelines with respect to unbuzzd™; the Company's inability to realize upon the stated benefit from the partnerships of Celly Nu; the Company's inability to carryout its business and goals, including the continued research and development of Lucid-MS, unbuzzd™, novel formulations for alcohol misuse disorders, and treatments for use in the healthcare sector; and the Company's inability to maintain its strategic investment portfolio. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Further information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially are included in the Company's annual and other reports filed from time to time with the Canadian Securities Administrators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and with the SEC on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Prospectus and Registration Statement, each under the heading "Risk Factors". This list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. FSD Pharma does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The Company makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about unbuzzd™. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated any claims regarding unbuzzd™. The efficacy of such products have not been confirmed by approved research. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. No clinical trials for the use of the Company's proposed products have been conducted. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that the Company verified such in clinical trials or that the Company will complete such trials.

Neither the CSE nor its regulation services provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

FSD Pharma Inc.
Zeeshan Saeed, Founder, CEO and Executive Co-Chairman of the Board, FSD Pharma Inc.
Email: Zsaeed@fsdpharma.com
Telephone: (416) 854-8884

Investor Relations
Email: ir@fsdpharma.com, info@fsdpharma.com
Website: www.fsdpharma.com

SOURCE: FSD Pharma Inc.



View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is Lucid-21-302?

Lucid-21-302 is a neuroprotective compound developed by FSD Pharma, aimed at treating multiple sclerosis by preventing demyelination.

What is the purpose of the Phase 1 trial for Lucid-21-302?

The purpose of the Phase 1 trial is to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of Lucid-21-302 in healthy adult participants.

When did FSD Pharma receive HREC approval for Lucid-21-302?

FSD Pharma received HREC approval on June 27, 2024.

What impact does the issuance of 400,000 Class B shares have?

Issuing 400,000 Class B shares at $0.30 each to settle $120,000 in debt could dilute the value of existing shares.

FSD Pharma Inc. Class B Subordinate Voting Shares

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