The findings from a Phase II A/B study, which is the world’s first study on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder, will be published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Psychiatry.
Awakn Life Sciences has been carrying out the investigation into ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder. The Ketamine in the Reduction of Alcoholic Relapse (KARE) psychotherapy intervention study findings will be published in the journal later this year.
The study was conducted by the University of Exeter (UoE) and led by UoE Psychopharmacology Professor, Celia Morgan, and Awakn’s Head of Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for addiction. Awkan has acquired the rights to the research.
Morgan said: “We are delighted that the findings are to be published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. This new approach looks set to revolutionise the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
“We are excited to partner with Awakn for the next steps in the journey of ketamine-assisted therapy into a licensed treatment for this group of patients with limited treatment options.”
Awakn says the findings are an exciting step forward in the treatment of alcohol use disorder and for the wider psychedelic industry in general.
The phase II a/b trial had four groups, ketamine with and without therapy, and placebo administered with and without therapy. The research team also interviewed participants in the trial following its completion and published an analysis of their experiences in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry entitled, This Is Something That Changed My Life: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Experiences.
With ketamine already a licensed medicine, the results allow Awakn to deliver the KARE treatment in its clinics in the UK and Europe immediately and through its licensing partnerships outside of these territories.
The University of Exeter and Awakn are investigating how to move this research forward to a pivotal phase III trial, which ultimately would allow it to be delivered ‘on label’, meaning it could be adopted by public health systems and covered by insurers.
Awakn CEO, Anthony Tennyson, added: “This is a very exciting moment for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
“For so many people who are suffering from alcohol addiction, for whom the current treatments just aren’t working, a successful phase II a/b trial and a unified ambition to progress this forward to a pivotal trial, gives real hope to those seeking a better and healthier future.”
