BetterLife Obtains Favourable Cardiac Safety Data for BETR-001

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development of BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide (“LSD”), announced it has completed one of its IND-enabling cardiac safety studies of BETR-001. These GLP in vitro studies demonstrated that BETR-001 has minimal impact on the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel, an important ion channel for cardiac functioning.

Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife, commented, “We are very pleased with these hERG safety data. They are fully in line with our previously conducted in vivo cardiac safety telemetry studies. Furthermore, they complement our previously published findings on BETR-001 activity at the 5HT-2B receptor¹.  Those studies show that, in contrast to LSD and other psychedelics which exhibit robust agonism at the 5HT-2B receptor, BETR-001 is an antagonist at the 5HT-2B receptor. Agonism at the 5HT-2B receptor is linked to cardiac valvulopathy and therefore, undesirable².  The clean cardiac safety profile of BETR-001 gets us one step closer to completing our full IND-enabling studies and starting our clinical trials, as soon as the studies conclude.”

About BetterLife Pharma

BetterLife Pharma Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company primarily focused on developing and commercializing two compounds, BETR-001 and BETR-002, to treat neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders.

BETR-001, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is a non-hallucinogenic and non-controlled LSD derivative in development and it is unique in that it is unregulated and therefore can be self-administered. BetterLife’s synthesis patent for BETR-001 eliminates regulatory hurdles and its pending patent, for composition and method of use, covers treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and neuropathic pain and other neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders.

BETR-002, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is based on honokiol, the active anxiolytic ingredient of magnolia bark. BetterLife’s pending method of use and formulations patent covers treatment of anxiety related disorders including benzodiazepine dependency.

BetterLife also owns a drug candidate for the treatment of viral infections and is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development.

For further information, please visit BetterLife Pharma.

Contact

David Melles, Investor Relations Manager
Email: David.Melles@blifepharma.com
Phone: 1-778-887-1928

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¹ Lewis, et al. Cell Reports 2023

² Hutcheson, et al. Pharmacol Ther 2011