TDR’s Top 5 Psychedelic Developments For The Week Of May 16 – The Dales Report

Posted: May 21, 2022 at 6:12 pm

Welcome to TDRs review of the Top 5 Psychedelic developments for the week of May 9. Aside from presenting a synopsis of events, we provide market commentary to summarize the week that was for publicly-listed companies.

5. Biden Administration Announces $1.5 Billion Funding Opportunity for State Opioid Response Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is announcing a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding opportunity that will provide nearly $1.5 billion to states and territories to help address the Nations opioid addiction and overdose epidemic. In President Bidens State of the Union, he named beating the opioids epidemic as a pillar of his Unity Agenda. Todays announcement is a critical step forward in that work, and the SOR program, along with theTribal Opioid Responsegrant funding opportunity announced recently, are critical tools in President Bidens inaugural National Drug Control Strategy released last month and the Health and Human Services (HHS)Overdose Prevention Strategy.

The State Opioid Response grant program delivers crucial aid to states and territories to help address in the crisis of overdose and death in our nations communities, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. And, in line with HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, this funding helps facilitate state- and territory-level efforts to ensure the full continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and long-term recovery supports are in place and accessible to all who need them.

TheSOR grant programprovides formula funding to states and territories for increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and for supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for OUD and other concurrent substance use disorders (SUD). The SOR program also supports care for stimulant misuse and use disorders, including for cocaine and methamphetamine. The SOR program helps reduce overdose deaths and close the gap in treatment needs across America by giving states and territories flexibility in funding evidence-based practices and supports across different settings to meet local community needs.

4. Awakn Life Sciences Completes Worlds First Ketamine Treatment Study for a Range of Behavioral Addictions

Awakn Life Sciences Corp.(NEO: AWKN)(OTCMKTS:AWKNF) announced today the completion of the worlds first ketamine treatment study for behavioral addictions. The behavioral addictions included in the study were Gambling Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder, Binge Eating Disorder and Compulsive Sexual Behavior.

Results from Awakn's #ketamine treatment study for behavioral #addictions indicate the desired effects via potentially novel mechanisms and these results merit a larger study and further exploration, which Awakn is now initiating. Learn more: https://t.co/7DW4Tu3RCF $AWKN $AWKNF

The study was led by Prof. Celia Morgan, Awakns Head of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Exeter, U.K., and an internationally respected expert in the therapeutic use of ketamine. The study investigated ketamine as a new treatment approach for these behavioral addictions by opening a window in which the brain can make new connections to change behavior.

The results from the study indicate the desired effects via potentially novel mechanisms and these results merit a larger study and further exploration, which Awakn is now initiating. The study also supports Awakns Intellectual Property (IP) strategy and existing filed patent applications, positioning Awakn as a leading company in the behavioral-addiction therapeutic research and development industry. The company expects to update investors further on its IP strategy in the coming weeks.

__________

Antidepressants And Psychedelics Drug Interaction Chart

__________

3. Big Rebound As Psychedelic Stocks Outperform BioPharma Indexes

The biggest psychedelic stocks mostly rose this past week, noticeable outperforming peer biopharma indexes. TheHorizon Psychedelic Stock Index ETF(PSYK) climbed12.80%, which was materially stronger than both theNasdaq Junior Biotechnology Index(2.42%) andNasdaq Biotechnology Ishares ETF(2.18%). This occurred despite broad markets which slumped for a seventh consecutive weekNASDAQ1004.40%andS&P 5002.93%. This was the seventh consecutive week of decline in both of these indexes, which hasnt occurred since the Great Financial Crisis of 2008. Heres how the Health Care (Biotechnology) sector performed:

Weekly technical snapshot, PSYK ETF:

In the news

atai Life Sciences reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a business update. Ended the first quarter with $335 million cash, maintaining atais position as a well-funded, leading mental health company.

TDRs Take: Atai Life Sciences: Optimizing Drug Development By Avoiding Big Pharmas Past Missteps

Australias national science agency CSIRO is aiming to develop new psychedelics for a variety of mental health conditions including depression, addiction, end-of-life anxiety and PTSD.

Awakn Life Sciences announced that Dr. ArunDhandayudham is joining Awakn as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ben Sessa is stepping back from his role as CMO to become Awakns Head of Psychedelic Medicine, allowing him to continue his work in research, academic and training activities, as well as a greater focus on the day-to-day treatment of his clients as the Lead Physiatrist for Awakn Clinics Bristol.

Braxia Scientific receives Special Access Program (SAP) approval for use of psilocybin inOntario. Health Canada approval is for patients with Major Depressive Disorder in the absence of terminal medical illness or end of life distress.

CB Therapeutics has been granted a new patent covering the use of microorganisms to produce tryptamines and their analogs, such as psilocybin and various other molecules found in magic mushrooms.

Clearmind Medicine announced positive safety results of its proprietary molecule, MEAI, to treat alcohol abuse.

Clerkenwell Health opening Europes first commercial psychedelic research facility.

Davos 2022: The first ever medical psychedelics series will be hosted by Energia Holdings Incorporated. The worlds most prominent psychedelic industry leaders, drug development experts, clinicians, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and influencers will gather separately inDavosat the inauguralMedical Psychedelic Seriesto help shape the future of mental health.

Havn Life Sciences announced a partnership withTheraPsil a non-profit coalition dedicated to helping Canadians in medical need access legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy and GMP-quality psilocybin. Under the Partnership, TheraPsil will support prescribing healthcare professionals in requesting psilocybin from HAVN Life, and other licensed dealers enrolled in TheraPsils Project Solace, through the Special Access Program. TDR interviews CEO Tim Moore:

Mind Medicine announced that the registration statement on Form S-3, filed onMay 4, 2022, was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes a prospectus for an at-the-market equity offering under which the company may offer and sell its Subordinate Voting Shares or common shares re-designated from the Companys Subordinate Voting Shares for up to$100,000,000in aggregate sales proceeds.

Nirvana Life Sciences announced the appointment of Mr. Jakson Inwentash to the companys Board of Directors.

Optimi Health has completed the acquisition of a diverse catalog of psilocybin and functional mushroom strains intended for cultivation in its 20,000 square foot, EU-GMP compliant facility in Princeton, British Columbia.

Red Light Holland has completed the third export of psilocybe truffles, from the Netherlands to Canada, under a Health Canada psilocybin import permit awarded to CCrest Laboratories Inc. in partnership with Shaman Pharma Corp.

Silo Pharma announced that it in conjunction with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), researchers have successfully dosed patients suffering from Parkinsons disease. As part of this study, the researchers are collecting blood samples to determine the effects of psilocybin on inflammatory markers of patients who have exhibited signs of Parkinsons.

2. MindMed Reports Topline Data From Phase 1 Trial of MM-110 in Development for the Treatment of Opioid Withdrawal

Mind Medicine (NASDAQ: MNMD), (NEO: MMED) announced topline results from the Phase 1 placebo-controlled trial designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and neurocognitive effects of MM-110 in 108 healthy volunteers. The results showed favorable safety and tolerability, support the advancement of MM-110, and have guided the Phase 2a dose, schedule, and design in individuals undergoing supervised opioid withdrawal. MM-110 (also known as zolunicant HCl or 18-MC) is an 34 nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist and non-hallucinogenic proprietary congener of ibogaine.

MindMed today announced topline results from the Phase 1 trial of MM-110. The results showed favorable safety and tolerability, and have guided the Phase 2a trial design in individuals undergoing supervised opioid withdrawal. https://t.co/ax7DSiDT1Q

A total of 72 participants received up to 325 mg of MM-110 (n=51) twice on a single day or placebo (n=21), and 36 participants were administered up to 90mg of MM-110 (n=26) twice daily for seven days or placebo (n=10). The topline results and observations include the following:

1. First Patient In Quebec Gets Approval From Health Canada For Magic Mushroom Therapy

In Montreal, meanwhile, a pioneering clinic in the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is about to become the first health-care facility in Quebec to legally treat depression with psilocybin. Bui-Nguyen said his Mindspace by Numinus clinic received Health Canadas approval on May 5 to care for a patient who had undergone several unsuccessful treatments for depression.

Mindspace by Numinus CEO Payton Nyquvest said psychedelics have the potential to become a widespread treatment. As Health Canada continues to approve more requests, he hopes the recognition will make the treatment much more accessible.

Health Canada on Jan. 5 restored its Special Access Program abolished under former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2013 allowing health-care experts to request access to restricted drugs that have not yet been authorized for sale in the country.

Related: Numinus Wellness Receives Health Canada Special Access Program Applicant Approval to Provide Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Treatment

See more here:

TDR's Top 5 Psychedelic Developments For The Week Of May 16 - The Dales Report

Related Posts