Better Life Pharma: Medicinal Psychedelics Without the Hallucinations


Robin Lefferts

November 16th, 2021

News, Top News


Psychedelic medicines, as treatments for psychiatric conditions ranging from depression to PTSD to anxiety, are gaining traction in the mainstream medical and pharmaceutical world. Research centers are springing up in organizations like Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts General HospitalInvestments are pouring into startups dedicated to advancing treatments. Clinical trials are being conducted around the globe.

A major discussion in the industry is the management of the ‘hallucinogenic ’ aspect of the treatments. For instance, in 2019 Johnson & Johnson gained FDA approval for Spravato, an antidepressant derived from ketamine. The drug’s psychedelic properties meant it had to be administered in health facilities with very strict supervision. This dynamic, along with the high cost of developing a controlled substance, may have led to the drug’s disappointing performance in the market.

Another challenging factor for the industry is the battle for intellectual property protection for many naturally-occurring compounds, or first generation psychedelics. It’s not very profitable to  produce a psychedelic compound as a treatment when it could be categorized as a generic pharmaceutical with a low price.

BetterLife Pharma Inc. (CSE: BETR) (OTCQB: BETRF) recognizes these issues and has a strategy to overcome them. BetterLife is focused on developing second generation, synthesized versions of psychedelic compounds (and other natural ingredients) to treat a variety of mental health conditions. The synthesized compounds do not have the psychoactive properties of the naturally occurring substances, and their production processes allow for IP protection.

BetterLife Drug Candidates

BetterLIfe’s lead psychedelic compound is TD-0148A. The company is in the discovery phase currently, investigating the potential use of TD-0148A in the treatment of major depressive disorder as well as cluster headaches. The compound is BetterLife’s synthesized version of 2-Bromo-LSD, itself a derivative of LSD first created in 1957 by Albert Hofmann (and Franz Toxler), the scientist who first synthesized LSD. Hofmann was seeking derivative compounds that could act on the same receptors LSD does, but without the hallucinogenic effects. In essence, they were looking for LSD derivatives that could be made into anti-inflammatory and anti-migraine drugs.

The advantage with 2-Bromo-LSD is that it does not require LSD as the main agent to make it, meaning that its manufacturing is not reliant on using a Schedule 1 controlled substance. BetterLife was interested in taking up the mantle of Hofmann’s quest for non-hallucinogenic molecules but wanted to avoid the non-patient friendly and high regulatory hurdles involved with controlled substances. So, the company figured out how to make its own version of the drug and it is now using proven scientific and evidence-based methodology to produce, collect, and analyze pertinent data.

To date, BetterLife research has shown the compound binds and activates key neurotransmitter receptors associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. The company is continuing its preclinical work to determine just how TD-0148A differs from LSD in its action, both from a therapeutic and psychoactive standpoint. The evidence so far is positive and with the forthcoming data BetterLife looks to show stronger efficacy and effectiveness of TD-0148A.

BetterLife CEO Dr. Ahmad Doroudian stated, “TD-0148A is protected by several BetterLife-owned patents (granted and provisional). BetterLife believes that TD-0148A has great therapeutic potential for the treatment of debilitating psychiatric and neurological disorders with high unmet need, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and cluster headaches. It is towards this goal that we are putting all our resources and hope to bring TD-0148A to US IND and the clinic by H2 2022.”

The company is also advancing TD-010 as a potential treatment for benzodiazepine addiction, anxiety, and spasticity. This compound in essence follows the same model, but this time the synthesized molecule mimics honokiol, an active ingredient found in magnolia bark. Honokiol has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to combat anxiety and is sold as a nutraceutical. The compound is not easily absorbed by the body, however, and supply is dependent on extraction from the tree bark.

BetterLIfe’s formulation offers advantages. TD-010 can be synthesized and production can be effectively scaled. Importantly, TD-010 offers greatly improved bioavailability over its natural counterpart. The company has pending patents covering both formulation and method of use.

From a respiratory health perspective, BetterLife is also studying an inhalant as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Its AP-003 is manufactured from a novel interferon alpha-2b (IFNa2b) recombinant clone, and the company has patent pending applications covering composition, formulation and treatment. IFNa2b has been used to treat COVID-19 in China, and has shown significant antiviral effects through in vitro studies conducted by the University of Texas. AP-003 itself demonstrated, in vitro, up to 97% protection in human cells infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. BetterLife’s formulation improves stability of IFNa2b and adapts it to delivery through inhalation. AP-003 is thought to have potential to treat other viral respiratory infections as well.

What’s Next

BetterLife’s model is understandable, repeatable, and potentially profitable. Identify key scalable compounds that show promise. Find a way to improve them and synthesize them. Protect the new molecules with patents. Advance the proprietary drug candidates through the clinical process.

All three of its current candidates are currently moving forward through the preclinical phase toward an anticipated Investigational New Drug (IND) filing with the FDA, leading directly to clinical trials. BetterLife is projecting IND filings for TD-0148A and TD-010 in Q1 2022. With AP-003, that fling could come by the end of 2021. On top of the in vitro study cited above, BetterLife’s wholly owned subsidiary is conducting a Phase 1-2 study in COVID-19 patients in Chile.

Look for results of the preclinical studies, potentially leading to near-term IND filings, in the coming months. Also keep an eye on this space for a deeper dive into BetterLife Pharma, its unique approach to value creation, and a closer look at the market potential for each of its candidates.

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.


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