PharmaDrug Inc. has entered into a research collaboration agreement with PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. to evaluate the delivery of DMT using PharmaTher’s novel microneedle patch (MN-Patch).
PharmaDrug’s specialty psychedelics programme focuses on novel uses and delivery forms of DMT and other undisclosed psychedelic tryptamines as a potential treatment for ocular disease and neuropsychiatric conditions.
This new collaboration will allow PharmaDrug to evaluate the results of PharmaTher’s DMT MN-Patch, and the company has stated it believes that the DMT MN-Patch may enable flexible drug load capacity and combinations, controlled released deliver, and be able to present desired pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, which could potentially overcome obstacles associated with oral dosing.
To date, PharmaTher has completed a non-clinical research study with Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) evaluating the delivery of its DMT MN-Patch.
Based on the results, PharmaDrug and PharmaTher will finalise a product and clinical development plan to initiate regulatory discussions for future clinical studies in various indications where DMT may have promise such as major depressive disorder.
Research results from this study will be available in early Q2-2023 and will be used to support a potential human clinical study.
Daniel Cohen, CEO and Chairman of PharmaDrug, commented: “We are excited to commence a collaboration with PharmaTher, a leader in microneedle patch delivery of psychedelics.
“We believe our combined programmes and expertise in drug delivery and pharmacology, specifically relating to DMT, set the stage for the potential development of new treatment options for mental health conditions.”
PharmaDrug has stated that its DMT programmes include:
- The discovery of novel DMT-analogue and delivery device in partnership with TIBI for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma;
- The advancement of a clinical research collaboration with Johns Hopkins University to evaluate DMT in a Phase 1 Clinical Study under the direction of Dr Frederick S. Barrett, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Co-investigators Dr Sandeep Nayak and Dr Roland Griffiths; all from the JHU Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.
- Completion of foundational research aimed at understanding the role of endogenous DMT in collaboration with Dr Jimo Borjigin, University of Michigan.
