Marvel Biosciences Announces New Program to Develop Novel Orally Dosed Non-Hallucinogenic Neuroplastic Promoting Compounds
October 27, 2021 9:00 AM EDT | Source: Marvel Biosciences Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 27, 2021) - Marvel Biosciences Corp. (TSXV: MRVL) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc. (collectively the "Company" or "Marvel"), is pleased to announce that the Company has initiated a new program whose goal is to identify and develop novel, safe agents that promote neuroplasticity without the liabilities of abuse potential or hallucinations that occur with psychedelics which include ketamine, LSD and tryptamine derivatives such as DMT and psilocybin.
Marvel has identified a series of compounds inspired by known psychedelic molecules, that appear to be active as anti-depressants in pre-clinical testing. The compounds were administered for seven days, and preliminary evidence found multiple molecules with the same core structure capable of reducing depressive symptoms as measured in the widely accepted forced swim test. Early indications are extremely positive, with the swim test producing 2 positive indicators that exhibited strong potential for treatment.
Key features of the first class of molecules that Marvel has developed are:
- fast acting
- orally available
- water soluble
- no evidence of hallucinatory activity
- significantly better (p<0.05) than fluoxetine (Prozac)
"Although early, this is an auspicious start for our new program that presents a compelling opportunity, as we further expand our product portfolio," commented Dr. Mark Williams, President and Chief Science Officer. "We need to further characterize and expand upon the first set of hits we have identified, and we are also investigating molecules with very different structures to the known psychedelics to promote neuroplasticity as well. We are strong advocates for the use of psychedelic treatments to address mental health issues, yet it is critical that they are put through rigorous testing to ensure efficacy and safety for patients."
"This program is in addition to our current development program of our caffeine inspired lead compound asset MB-204 being developed for neurological conditions such as depression and anxiety, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ADHD. MB-204 is in the manufacturing development phase and advancing well towards the clinic," stated Rod Matheson, Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to advancing this new program quickly owing to the potential breadth of neuroplastic agents to treat not only depression but PTSD, AD, Parkinson's disease, autism, ALS, fetal alcohol exposure and schizophrenia for example."
About Marvel Biosciences Corp.
Marvel Biosciences Corp., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc., is a Calgary-based pre-clinical stage pharmaceutical development biotechnology company that utilizes a "drug redevelopment" approach to drug development. Historically, when a new class of drug is developed, it is optimized for a particular target, but typically only approved for a specific disease. Often, a new disease is identified which involves the same target, however, pending the remaining patent life, the originally approved drug may not have sufficient time left for it to be commercially viable to be developed for the new disease indication. Marvel develops new synthetic chemical derivatives of the original approved drug for the new disease indication. Patent protection is sought as the new potential asset is developed by the Company. The Company believes the business model results in significantly less risk, cost and time to develop its assets compared to traditional biotechnology companies.
Marvel Biotechnology Inc. has currently developed several new chemical entities, using synthetic chemical derivatives of known, off-patent drugs, that inhibit the A2a adenosine receptor with application to neurological diseases (depression & anxiety, Alzheimer's, ADHD), and the non-neurological conditions of cancer and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Marvel is also exploring additional undisclosed targets to expand its asset pipeline.
Contact Information
Investor Relations:
Virtus Advisory Group
Tel: 416-644-5081
Email: info@virtusadvisory.com
Marvel Biosciences Corp.
Roderick (Rod) Matheson, Chief Executive Officer or
Dr. Mark Williams, President and Chief Science Officer
Tel: 403 770 2469
Email: info@marvelbiotechnology.com
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All information contained in this news release with respect to the Company and its subsidiary, (collectively, the "Parties") were supplied by Marvel, respectively, for inclusion herein and each parties' directors and officers have relied on each other for any information concerning such Party.
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