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NEONMIND MANUFACTURES 4 SUPERFOOD MUSHROOM COFFEES

Vancouver, B.C. – October 27, 2020: Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) (“Better Plant”) or (the “Company”)  is pleased to announce that its majority owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences (“NeonMind”) has completed an initial production run of all four of its Ayurvedic, functional mushroom coffees.

 

“With this production run successfully completed, we are now prepared to begin consumer testing. We are also lining up distribution and are preparing to begin tests for digital  marketing for the website prior to its launch,” said Penny White, CEO of Better Plant. “We are excited to be able to fulfill the growing consumer appetite for functional food products that promote good health.”

 

Functional foods are food that are demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond just providing nutrition alone.

 

This production run includes four unique SKUs, which are all infused with Ayurveda botanicals:

 

Two instant superfood mushroom coffee blends for on-the go:

 

  • Rest Blend: Contains Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Ashwagandha and Turmeric
  • Energize Blend: Contains Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Holy Basil and Moringa

 

Two traditional roasted superfood mushroom coffee blends:

 

  • Focus Blend (Dark Roast): Contains Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Gotu Kola, Brahmi
  • Protect Blend (Medium Roast): Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Moringa and Amla

 

“When selecting partners such as a co-packer for functional food production, it is crucial to find alignment on safety, nutrition, quality and values,” said Bhavna Solecki, Director of Research and Product Development for Better Plant. “Production facilities should have suitable techniques, methods, and tools, to keep and enrich the nutritive values and bioactivity of the products, as well as  be able to propose future directions for food analytical methodologies to refine the process of sorting, grinding, conveying, processing and packaging systems. They must also be able to provide nutritional facts and quality of food and contents of nutrients and bio active components using third party analysis”

 

Each batch also goes through third party microbial testing with a certificate of analysis issued by the facility to enhance the homogeneity and stability of the final product for storage and shelf life.

 

Grand View Research reported in 2019 that the functional foods market is expected to reach USD $275.77 billion by 2025.

 

About NeonMind Biosciences Inc. 

 

NeonMind is engaged in research and development of products that use medicinal and psychedelic mushrooms to optimize human health and performance. The company is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing medicinal mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and plans to soon begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents. NeonMind owns 18% of Translational Life Sciences Inc. Better Plant Sciences owns approximately 50% of the issued and outstanding stock of NeonMind.

 

About Better Plant Sciences Inc.


Better Plant develops and acquires intellectual property and other assets related to plant-based products and therapeutics. Through its integrated business model, Better Plant develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes plant-based products. It owns over 400 proprietary product formulas.  It operates websites and sells through eCommerce, Amazon and through a retail store network over 150 plant based products for body, baby and home under the brands JUSU, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Its 50% majority-owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences Inc. is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing medicinal mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for Health Canada approval to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents.

For more information about Better Plant, visit www.betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Penny White, President & CEO

Ali Dumanski, Investor Relations

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-514-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward looking statements”) under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent  application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen.  Demand for the company’s products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets.  Better cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Canada Calls for Reformative Action in the Opioid Crisis

Worldwide, substance use disorders are on the rise, causing a high financial and social cost, yet the current model helps only a fraction of those suffering.

Substance use disorders have exacerbated overcrowding of the healthcare system, which has forced policymakers around the world to seek out more modern and compassionate healthcare alternatives and preventative harm-reduction measures.

Canada appears to be taking a progressive yet patchworked community healthcare approach to alleviating the current opioid and substance-use crisis. At the Federal level, Health Canada appears to be taking promising steps toward easing the surge in pandemic-related relapse rates and the troubling rise in overdose deaths that reached pandemic proportions before the arrival of COVID-19.

In February 2017, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Big-City Mayors’ Caucus (a collective of representatives from 22 of Canada’s biggest cities) launched a task force dedicated to curate best practices around substance use to prevent deaths and save more lives. This initiative has put together a comprehensive list of recommendations that call for a coordinated, nationwide approach requiring actions by all government levels.

To execute these proposed recommendations, the FCM recommends further action at the community-level would bolster the success of Canada’s drug strategy four-pronged approach: harm reduction, treatment, prevention and enforcement. As an alternative, they suggest replacing incarceration for possession of illegal substances with increased access to health care, treatment and social services. However, there is considerable debate regarding the efficacy of such a wide-scale change of legislation, suggesting that more research and discourse are first required.

Nevertheless, in addition to these efforts, Health Canada has released a letter that demands government ministries “conduct a thorough assessment of any barriers to access medicines that could contravene public health advice for social distancing and self-isolation, when appropriate.”

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

Multiple Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatments

As highlighted in at least one past entry, the barriers vary and come loaded with socio-economic nuance. They include:

  • Current regulations around illegal substances
  • Restrictions imposed by medicated-assisted treatment protocols
  • Costs associated with traditional treatment models
  • Lack of effectiveness associated with standard treatment models

Even using the “most effective” legal methods of treating alcohol dependence, long-term patient outcomes are limited, with most patients relapsing the first year following a purely psychosocial based intervention. It is usual for a patient to require repeated stays at 90-day treatment centres. Without insurance coverage, the modality is too costly for the average citizen to afford.

In Canada, programs exist covered by provincial health care; however, patients can find themselves wait-listed for treatment when demand for detox and in-patient programs rises. In the context of these harsh realities, many researchers are focused on drug discovery to find modern efficacious uses for known or overlooked psychedelic chemical compounds that may provide long-term symptom relief for specific use-cases.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Why Consider Psychedelics for Substance Use Disorders?

There are many programs in place to address substance use disorders (SUDs), including government-run programs, social programs run by non-government entities, and religious programs.

As a member of Entheon’s influential team of scientists and researchers, Dr. Christopher Gondi, Ph.D., M.Sc. seeks to explore the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic substances in helping patients reconcile their views and past traumas. From his lab at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, Dr. Gondi shared with us some insight into why religious-leaning programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotic Anonymous (NA), which require individuals to surrender to a higher power, are perceived to have a higher success rates (actual rate is challenging to determine due to the insistence on anonymity) than non-religious detox programs.

“Those programs help more than the structure where you go through a detox period for some time and then you’re kicked out. [Those patients] come back. Why? Because they have not reconciled their deep-seated emotional trauma and emotional need that needs to be addressed. For some reason – and I have no answer for this – the touching on the spiritual needs of an individual is something that psychedelics have helped.”

Indeed, one of tne of the naturally-occurring psychedelic molecules Entheon Biomedical is studying, called DMT or N, N-Dimethyltryptamine, is given the moniker “the spirit molecule.”

Johns Hopkins Magazine recently resurfaced findings from a DMT survey study, noting that:

“The vast majority of the respondents said DMT brought them into contact with a “conscious, intelligent, benevolent, and sacred entity,” most commonly described as a “being” or “guide” in an interaction that oozed joy, trust, love, and kindness. Eighty percent reported that the experience had fundamentally altered their perception of reality, and 72% said that the entity continued to exist after the experience “in a different plane of reality.” Perhaps most startling was that more than half of those who had previously self-identified as atheists—28% of the sample—described some type of belief in a higher power or God after taking DMT, according to Griffiths, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research.”

The advent of psychedelic-assisted therapy is a significant moment in human history, and the fact that it may be sparking an entheogenic-related religious curiosity seems to be part of the course with these powerful substances. However, insurance companies are not about to cover substances that are not legal, even if they result in a longer-lasting reduction of drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviours.

Photo by Alexis Mette on Unsplash

Who Will Prevail in Helping to Make Psychedelics Accessible to Patients in Canada?

We want to highlight two groups taking unique approaches to entheogenic (psychedelic) drug reform in Canada.

TheraPsil is a non-profit organization that supports Canadians in palliative care and experiencing end-of-life distress to exercise their charter right to seek compassionate treatment using psilocybin through an application for exemption of section 56(1) of the controlled substances and drug act (CDSA).

The palliative care patient’s use case is admittedly different from that of drug-dependent individuals, yet both sets of people are looking for some of the same things, relief from trauma being part of that.

On August 4th, 2020, four Canadians suffering from end-of-life distress became the first individuals to access an exemption to access psilocybin therapy legally. Today, the organization has secured six exemptions and is now asking Canada’s Ministry of Health to review physician requests to use psilocybin to better understanding patient outcomes. Not only has Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu been granting these exemptions, but she has also gone on record about her “open(ness)” to drug decriminalization.

Dr. Ryan Patchett-Marble from Marathon, Ontario (Thunder Bay district), is one such physician who recently told a local media outlet his reason for applying for the exemption through TheraPsil. “The reason I think it’s important for physicians or therapists themselves to have experiential training, this is not like when I prescribe antibiotics for an ear-tract infection, I don’t need experience with the antibiotic, this is prescribing,” he said. “This is more akin to a guide. You want the guide to have personal experience in what they are guiding you in.”

In a separate motion that could potentially increase access to entheogens to all Canadians, a petition to decriminalize plant medicines in Canada was presented in the House of Commons by Paul Manly MP on September 30th, 2020. The Canadian government has 45-days from then to respond to the petition from the Canadian Psychedelic Association that is now undersigned by 15,000 Canadians.

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Revive Therapeutics Provides Update on FDA Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Bucillamine in COVID-19

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2020 – Revive Therapeutics Ltd. (“Revive” or the “Company”) (CSE: RVV, USA: RVVTF), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for medical needs and rare disorders, is pleased to announce an update on the Company’s U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“U.S. FDA”) Phase 3 clinical trial (the “Study”) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bucillamine in patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. The Company has committed to ten clinical sites across Florida, Texas, Nevada, Arizona and California, and it is estimated that over 200 patients will have completed the Study for the interim analysis by the end of December 2020. The interim analysis will determine the better performing Bucillamine dose arm for the remainder of the trial and future complementary studies evaluating it in more severe cases, thus making Bucillamine a potential treatment option.

“We are one of a few life sciences companies evaluating an investigational drug in a Phase 3 clinical trial for COVID-19 and with the rising prevalence of cases throughout the U.S., we are confident that our targets will be achieved to support the potential FDA approval and commercialization of Bucillamine for the treatment of the virus,” said Michael Frank, Revive’s Chief Executive Officer.

The recent publication of the potential of N-acetyl-cysteine (“NAC”) in the treatment of COVID-191 serves as further validation for Bucillamine. NAC has been shown to significantly attenuate clinical symptoms in respiratory viral infections in animals and humans, primarily via donation of thiols to increase antioxidant activity of cellular glutathione.

In comparison, Bucillamine, with its well-established safety record in over 30 years of use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to be 16 times more potent as a thiol donor in vivo than NAC. Bucillamine also has the potential, via increasing glutathione activity and other antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities,2 to lessen the destructive consequences of more advanced SARS CoV2 infections, and attenuate the clinical course of severe COVID-19.

About the Phase 3 Clinical Trial

The Phase 3 confirmatory clinical trial titled, “A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Bucillamine in Patients with Mild-Moderate COVID-19”, will enroll up to 1,000 patients that will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive Bucillamine 100 mg three times a day (“TID”), Bucillamine 200 mg TID or placebo TID for up to 14 days. The primary objective is to compare the frequency of hospitalization or death in patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 receiving Bucillamine therapy with those receiving placebo. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients meeting a composite endpoint of hospitalization or death from the time of the first dose through Day 28 following randomization. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing clinical outcomes (death or hospitalization), disease severity using the 8-category NIAID COVID ordinal scale, supplemental oxygen use, and progression of COVID‑19 between patients receiving standard-of-care plus Bucillamine (high dose and/or low dose) and patients receiving standard-of-care plus placebo. Safety will be assessed by reported pre-treatment adverse events and treatment-emergent adverse events (including serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest), laboratory values (hematology and serum chemistry), vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature), and peripheral oxygen saturation.

An interim analysis will be performed by an Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”) after 210 patients have been treated and followed up for 28 days after randomization. The better performing Bucillamine dose at the interim analysis will be selected and patients will then be randomized 2:1 to the selected Bucillamine dose or placebo. Additional interim analyses will be performed after 400, 600, and 800 patients have reached this same post-treatment timepoint. The independent DSMB will actively monitor interim data for the ongoing safety of patients and will recommend continuation, stopping or changes to the conduct of the study based on the interim analysis reports.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate or cure COVID-19 (SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

Scientific Rationale of Bucillamine for COVID-19

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species contribute to the destruction and programmed cell death of pulmonary epithelial cells.3 N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has been shown to significantly attenuate clinical symptoms in respiratory viral infections in animals and humans, primarily via donation of thiols to increase antioxidant activity of cellular glutathione.4-7 Bucillamine (N-(mercapto-2-methylpropionyl)-l-cysteine) has a well-known safety profile and is prescribed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan and South Korea for over 30 years. Bucillamine, a cysteine derivative with two thiol groups, has been shown to be 16 times more potent as a thiol donor in vivo than NAC.2 The drug is non-toxic with high cellular permeability. The basis of the clinical study will analyze if Bucillamine has the potential, via increasing glutathione activity and other antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, to lessen the destructive consequences of SARS-CoV2 infection in the lungs and attenuate the clinical course of COVID-19.

About Revive Therapeutics Ltd.

Revive is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases and rare disorders, and it is prioritizing drug development efforts to take advantage of several regulatory incentives awarded by the FDA such as Orphan Drug, Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy and Rare Pediatric Disease designations. Currently, the Company is exploring the use of Bucillamine for the potential treatment of infectious diseases, with an initial focus on severe influenza and COVID-19. With its recent acquisition of Psilocin Pharma Corp., Revive is advancing the development of Psilocybin-based therapeutics in various diseases and disorders. Revive’s cannabinoid pharmaceutical portfolio focuses on rare inflammatory diseases and the company was granted FDA orphan drug status designation for the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) to treat autoimmune hepatitis (liver disease) and to treat ischemia and reperfusion injury from organ transplantation. For more information, visit www.ReviveThera.com.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Frank
Chief Executive Officer
Revive Therapeutics Ltd.
Tel: 1 888 901 0036
Email: mfrank@revivethera.com
Website: www.revivethera.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Revive’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking information in this press release includes information with respect to the Offering, including the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Revive at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Revive is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Reference is made to the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual MD&A for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, which has been filed on SEDAR and is available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

References

1. H Ibrahim et al, Therapeutic blockade of inflammation in severe COVID-19 infection with intravenous N-acetylcysteine., Clinical Immunology. Volume 219, October 2020, 108544.

2. LD Horwitz, Bucillamine: a potent thiol donor with multiple clinical applications, Cardiovasc Drug Rev. 2003 Summer;21(2):77-90).

3. S Ye et al, Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Production Ameliorates Inflammation Induced by Influenza A Viruses via Upregulation of SOCS1 and SOCS3., American Society for Microbiology. 2015 Mar;89(5):2672-2683).

4. L. Carati et al, Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment., Eur Respir J. 1997 Jul;10(7):1535-41).

5. M Mata et al, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) inhibit mucin synthesis and pro-inflammatory mediators in alveolar type II epithelial cells infected with influenza virus A and B and with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)., Biochem Pharmacol. 2011 Sep;82(5):548-55.

6. D Ungheri et al, Protective effect of n-acetylcysteine in a model of influenza infection in mice., Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2000 Sep-Dec;13(3):123-128.

7. RH Zhang et al, N-acetyl-l-cystine (NAC) protects against H9N2 swine influenza virus-induced acute lung injury., Int Immunopharmacol. 2014 Sep;22(1):1-8).

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BETTER PLANT RECEIVES HEALTH CANADA APPROVAL FOR PLANT-BASED PAIN BALM

Vancouver, B.C. – October 22, 2020: Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) (“Better Plant”) or (the “Company”) announces that its subsidiary Urban Juve Provisions Inc., has received a Natural Health Product (“NHP”) number from Health Canada for its proprietary plant-based pain balm. Health Canada’s Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate has concluded that Urban Juve’s application is in compliance pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Health Products Regulations and issued NHP number 80105503.

“We are thrilled that our unique pain relief formula based on Ayurvedic principles is now approved by Health Canada,” says Penny White, CEO of Better Plant. “This allows us to sell and distribute the product ourselves with the potential to white label the product with other strategic partners and brands.”

All-natural health products sold in Canada require premarket approval. The health claim that was approved for Urban Juve’s pain balm efficacy is: “temporarily relieves back aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with one or more of the following: simple backache, lumbago, strains and sprains (involving muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments), and arthritis.”

“One has to think one step ahead to anticipate the challenges for regulatory approvals of NHP products,” says Bhavna Solecki Director of Product Research for Better Plant. “We have been successful obtaining multiple NHP approvals, which we are very proud of, considering the required health claim substantiation, theoretical product review, scientific literature review and product classification.”

Better Plant’s pain balm uses a synergetic and proprietary blend of plant-based ingredients. Menthol crystals act as an anti-irritant and provide a heating/cooling effect by sending a signal to the brain which interprets the feeling as cold, relieving the uncomfortable heat of inflammation.

Some studies estimate that up to 40% of the population suffers from chronic pain. Arthritis is the most prevalent health condition in Canada, and its most common form is osteoarthritis which is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Other common causes of chronic pain include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus and carpal tunnel syndrome which is increasingly affecting youth, from excessive typing and texting.

According to a report by BCC Research, the global market for pain management will grow from nearly USD$36.1 billion in 2017 to USD$52.0 billion by 2022, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% for the period of 2017-2022.

 

About Better Plant Sciences Inc.

Better Plant develops and acquires intellectual property and other assets related to plant-based products and therapeutics. Through its integrated business model, Better Plant develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes plant-based products. It owns over 400 proprietary product formulas.  It operates websites and sells through eCommerce, Amazon and through a retail store network over 150 plant-based products for body, baby, and home under the brands JUSU, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Its 51% majority owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences Inc. is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing medicinal mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for Health Canada approval to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents.

For more information about Better Plant, visit www.betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Penny White, President & CEO

Ali Dumanski, Investor Relations

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-514-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward looking statements”) under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent  application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen.  Demand for the company’s products, general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets.  Better Plant cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better Plant, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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NEONMIND SUPERFOOD MUSHROOM COFFEE UPDATE

Vancouver, B.C. – October 20, 2020: Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) (“Better Plant”) or (the “Company”)  is pleased to announce that its majority owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences (“NeonMind”) has completed production of two out of four of its superfood mushroom coffee blends. The first NeonMind Superfood instant coffees will be ready to ship to their warehouse in early November. The initial two formulas are an Ayurveda-inspired blend of reishi, lions mane, ashwagandha and turmeric with premium instant coffee. The functional mushrooms are antioxidant and nutrient-rich, with adaptogenic, immune-boosting properties. The Company plans to launch its eCommerce website in November and will rely heavily on influencer marketing to educate a broader consumer base on the taste and health benefits of mushroom coffees.

 

“Functional mushrooms are increasing in popularity for their ability to increase mental clarity, as well as for their range of health benefits, including immune support and energy-boosting qualities,” said Penny White, CEO of Better Plant Sciences. “We have formulated our coffees to be both healthy and delicious, and our instant blend is convenient, easy, and perfect for those on the go or those who are only looking to enjoy one cup at a time.”

 

Having just completed manufacturing of the two instant coffee blends, they will now undergo third-party testing as required by Health Canada regulations, and are expected to be ready to ship to our warehouse in early November. They will then begin manufacturing two brewed coffee formulations, with production to be followed by the same required third-party testing. The brewed coffees are expected to be ready to ship to our warehouse in mid-November. All four products have been registered with Vancouver Coastal Health. The Company’s plan is to commercially launch the mushroom coffees via a new eCommerce website in late November 2020.

 

The global functional mushroom market is expected to reach USD$78.7 billion by 2025, from USD$38.1 billion in 2017 growing at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025, according to Data Bridge Market Research.

 

About NeonMind Biosciences Inc. 

NeonMind is engaged in research and development of products that use functional and psychedelic mushrooms to optimize human health and performance. The company is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing functional mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for a Section 56 Exemption to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents. NeonMind owns 18% of Translational Life Sciences Inc. Better Plant Sciences owns approximately 69% of the issued and outstanding stock of NeonMind.

 

About Better Plant Sciences Inc. 

Better Plant develops and acquires intellectual property and other assets related to plant-based products and therapeutics. Through its integrated business model, Better Plant develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes plant-based products. It owns over 400 proprietary product formulas.  It operates websites and sells through eCommerce, Amazon and through a retail store network over 150 plant based products for body, baby and home under the brands JUSU, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Its majority-owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences Inc. is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing functional mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for Health Canada approval to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents.

For more information about Better Plant, visit www.betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Penny White, President & CEO

Ali Dumanski, Investor Relations

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-514-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward looking statements”) under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent  application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen.  Demand for the company’s products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets.  Better cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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BETTER PLANT COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF JUSU

Vancouver, B.C. – October 14, 2020: Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) (“Better Plant”) or (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of Jusu, a Canadian health, wellness and lifestyle brand that focuses on premium plant-based products. The acquisition consisted of the purchase of  assets of Jusu Bars Inc., Jusu Body Inc. and Jusu CBD Inc. in an all stock deal for $2,225,000. Better Plant now carries on these businesses through its wholly owned subsidiary Jusu Wellness Inc.  These assets are in addition to the Better Plant owned wellness brands Urban Juve, Wright & Well and NeonMind. The combined business of Better Plant now has over 400 product formulas in its catalogue and over 150 different products currently for sale under various brands.

“Jusu is an excellent addition to the Better Plant portfolio. We are focused on bringing the most innovative and premium plant-based products to market to help our customers optimize their health, and well-being,” said Penny White, CEO of Better Plant. “Our plan is to grow the Jusu business, which is currently generating revenues of approximately $60,000 per month, by optimizing sales through eCommerce channels, strengthening the brand and product offering, as well as expanding through a franchise model.”

The purchased assets include all inventory, packaging, raw ingredients, and intellectual property related to JUSU’s 300 plant-based products for the home, body and baby, as well as the eCommerce sites that sell Jusu products, customer lists, certain juice bar equipment, and all tangible assets relating to the Jusu Bar retail location in Cadboro Bay, Victoria.

The agreed purchase price for the acquisition was 22,000,000 units of Better Plant at a deemed price of $0.10 per unit (after payment of $25,000 for inventory on September 1, 2020), with each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant to purchase a common share at $0.11 per share for two years. Of those units, 19,000,000 units were issued at closing on October 9, 2020.  3,000,000 units were held back as security to ensure that Jusu Body Inc. and Jusu Bars Inc. are discharged from certain general security registrations. The unit shares are subject to a stock restriction agreement restricting sale of the units for four months after the date of issuance, and after that no more than 30,000 shares per day. Better Plant agreed to pay a bonus of 2.5 million units upon reaching $5 million in Jusu product sales within 3 years.

Pursuant to the acquisition, Better Plant will book revenues from all Jusu sales beginning October 9, 2020.  The Jusu plant-based product sales for home, body and baby have historically been approximately $40,000 per month, with a gross profit margin of approximately 60%, not including marketing or overhead.  Direct to consumer juice sales have only recently launched and  have had a profit margin of approximately 65%, although this is expected to decrease to 30% due to disruption in supply.  Jusu Bars Inc. shall continue to operate the juice business for a period of 120 days for a fee of 5% of such revenues payable to Better Plant as an operator fee.  Jusu Bars shall pay for operating expenses and bill them back to Better Plant on a monthly basis, but operating expenses and operator fees in aggregate may not exceed the net revenues each month.  Better Plant did not assume any of the liabilities of Jusu outstanding at closing.

In connection with the acquisition, Bruce Mullen, the founder of Jusu, has joined the board of directors of Better Plant.  Since 2014 Bruce Mullen has been active as the largest shareholder and the director and chief executive officer of the Jusu companies.  Penny White has resigned as director of Better Plant but she continues as CEO & President of Better Plant and its subsidiary companies, including Jusu Wellness.

Prophecy Market Insights reported that the global vegan beauty products market is estimated to reach USD$25.3 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.9% between 2019 and 2029. Meticulous Research reported that the plant-based food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2020 to 2027 to reach USD$74.2 billion by 2027.

All references to currency in this press release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

About Jusu Wellness Inc.

Jusu Wellness Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Better Plant and it owns and operates Jusu,  a full spectrum wellness brand with a mission to enlighten consumers to the protective and effective properties of plant based products. Jusu is committed to making pure, organic, plant-based products for consumption, body and personal care. This includes one JUSU Bar location and brick-and-mortar juice bar franchise opportunities as well as an extensive direct-to-consumer product offering including cold-pressed juices, skin care and body products, aromatherapy and home cleaning lines. Jusu is fully dedicated to offering consumers healthier alternatives to currently available chemical-based skin care, edible, and beverage products.

 

About Better Plant Sciences Inc. 

Better Plant develops and acquires intellectual property and other assets related to plant-based products and therapeutics. Through its integrated business model, Better Plant develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes plant-based products. It owns over 400 proprietary product formulas.  It operates websites and sells through eCommerce, Amazon and through a retail store network over 150 plant based products for body, baby and home under the brands JUSU, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Its majority-owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences Inc. is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing functional mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for Health Canada approval to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents.

For more information about Better Plant, visit www.betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Penny White, President & CEO

Ali Dumanski, Investor Relations

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-514-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward looking statements”) under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent  application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen.  Demand for the company’s products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets.  Better cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Numinus Appoints Multidisciplinary Global Leaders to its General Advisory Council

Advisors, including human performance expert Jamie Wheal and mental health advocate Ben Nemtin, join Numinus to help guide and inform company leadership

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 14, 2020 /CNW/ – Recognized and respected leaders from technology, pharmacology, and health have joined Numinus Wellness Inc. (“Numinus” or the “Company”) (TSXV: NUMI) as members of the Company’s General Advisory Council. Drawing on experience across a broad range of specialities including psychedelic medicine, mental health advocacy, performance optimization, and digital healthcare, the multidisciplinary council will provide unique insight and guidance to support Numinus’ mission of creating an ecosystem of health solutions centred on safe, evidence-based, accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

“As we continue to develop new approaches and new ways of thinking about mental healthcare, diverse opinions and experiences will be key,” says Payton Nyquvest, Numinus CEO. “Our council members bring a wealth of knowledge from each of their respective communities, and we’re proud to be working with them to help address the universal desire to heal and be well.”

Members of the advisory council include:

  • Jamie Wheal, Founder & Executive Director, Flow Genome Project: Wheal is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, bestselling author and Founder of the Flow Genome Project, an organization dedicated to research and training of ultimate human performance. Wheal’s peak performance training entails work with clients including members of the US Naval War College and technology executives, among others.
  • Ben Nemtin, Co-founder, The Buried Life: Nemtin is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who has been featured on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Inc., NBC News and more. After experiencing an unexpected depression in his university years, Nemtin has gone on to become one of the World’s Best Motivational Speakers (Global Gurus, 2020), helping people around the world achieve their goals and normalize the conversation around mental health.
  • Dennis McKenna, PhD, Ethnopharmacologist, Co-founder of the Heffter Research Institute, and Founder of the McKenna Academy: McKenna is an ethnopharmacologist with over 40 years of research experience and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project – the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca, involving researchers from nine universities and research institutions around the world.
  • Pamela Hadfield, Co-founder, HelloMD: Hadfield is an experienced entrepreneur and thought leader within the cannabis space. She is the Co-founder of HelloMD, a digital telehealth and educational platform for cannabis and complementary healthcare, and the exclusive partner of Shoppers Drug Mart.
  • Nichol Bradford, Co-founder & Executive Director, Transformative Technology Lab and CEO, Willow Group: Bradford is fascinated by human potential and how technology can help expand our perceived individual limitations. Through Transformative Technology Lab and Willow, her work is focused on advancing science-based hardware and software with the potential to produce positive changes in the human psychological experience.

“I’ve spent my career focused on how psychedelic substances can supplement existing treatment options for mental healthcare,” says Dennis McKenna, Ethnopharmacologist and Co-founder of the Heffter Research Institute, a US non-profit working closely with leading research groups including Johns Hopkins University to support psychedelic research. “I look forward to working with Numinus to advance the use of these substances in safe, controlled, therapeutic environments to treat mental health, addiction and trauma, as well as address the costs of unmet human potential.”

Echoing McKenna’s support, Pamela Hadfield states “Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, which is quickly becoming a reality, is the biggest mental healthcare disruptor of our generation. Similar to the coming-out party for cannabis, psychedelics are about to be accepted by the mainstream, but with an even greater, far-reaching, positive societal impact. I’m thrilled to support Numinus as a leader in the field with research backed initiatives, best business practices and their overall sense of purpose and integrity.” Ben Nemtin adds, “With more and more people struggling with depression and anxiety amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn’t be more proud to support Numinus’ mission to make psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies accessible to all.”

Advisory Council Members

Dennis McKenna, Ethnopharmacologist, Co-founder of Heffter Research Institute, Founder of McKenna Academy
McKenna brings over 40 years of experience conducting research in ethnopharmacology. He is a Founding Board Member of the Heffter Research Institute and a former key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. McKenna has taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human Affairs for 17 years as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. In collaboration with colleagues in Canada and the US, he incorporated a new non-profit, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy.

heffter.org; LinkedIn: Dennis McKenna

Jamie Wheal, Founder & Executive Director, The Flow Genome Project
Wheal is a bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize nominee and founder of the Flow Genome Project, an international organization dedicated to research and training of ultimate human performance. Since its inception in 2011, the organization has become the leading voice of evidence-based peak performance. Wheal is an expert on peak performance and leadership, specializing in the neuroscience and application of Flow states.

flowgenomeproject.com, LinkedIn: Jamie Wheal

Ben Nemtin, Co-founder, The Buried Life
Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do you Want to Do Before You Die?, co-founder of the Buried Life movement and a mental health advocate. Nemtin was forced to drop out of university due to depression and in an effort to feel more alive, he and his three friends made a list of ‘100 things to do before you die’ and for every list item they accomplished, they helped a complete stranger cross something off their bucket list. Oprah Winfrey declared their mission “truly inspiring”. Nemtin is recognized as one of the ‘World’s Best Motivational Speakers’ as well as ‘World’s Top Organizational Culture Thought Leaders’ by Global Gurus and regularly speaks to Fortune 100 leadership teams and business conferences around the world.

www.bennemtin.com; LinkedIn: Ben Nemtin

Pamela Hadfield, Co-founder, HelloMD
Hadfield is an entrepreneur and thought leader in the cannabis space. She became a cannabis advocate after finding relief from debilitating migraines using medical cannabis. After cannabis transformed her health, she dedicated her time and efforts to helping others with alternative healthcare approaches, including cannabis. Hadfield is the co-founder of HelloMD, a digital telehealth and educational platform for cannabis consumers and people seeking complementary care.

hellomd.ca; LinkedIn: Pamela Hadfield

Nichol Bradford, Executive Director, Transformative Technology Lab & CEO, Willow
Bradford is CEO of the Willow Group and Executive Director of the Transformative Technology Lab. She is a former senior executive in the video game industry responsible for strategy, operations and marketing for major brands, including Disney, Vivideni and Activision Blizzard. Bradford is also a fellow of the British American Project, a former term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served on the board of the Brandon Marshall Foundation for Mental Health.

transtechlab.org, willowgroup.co; LinkedIn: Nichol Bradford

About Numinus Wellness Inc.
Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSXV: NUMI) is a mental health and wellness company creating an ecosystem of solutions centred around safe, evidence-based, accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to help people heal and be well.
Numinus Health is dedicated to delivering innovative treatments to address physical, mental, and emotional health, through clinics and virtual services.
Numinus R&D is conducting implementation science and leveraging partnerships to beta-test and refine optimal models of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy delivery, setting the stage for approved routine use in mental health and wellness care.
Numinus Bioscience is focused on developing testing methods and effective formulas for the evolving psychedelics space. Health Canada licences, scientific expertise, and new technologies facilitate ongoing innovation, and high-throughput contract services generate established revenue.

Learn more at: numinus.ca and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licenses and permits to operate and expand the Company’s facilities; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to inconsistent public opinion, perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry, bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; the Company’s limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; the Company’s requirements for additional financing, and the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with research and development institutions, customers and suppliers. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

For further information: Dana Harvey, VP Communications and Investor Relations, dana@numinus.ca, 778.929.3262

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NEONMIND SIGNS PSILOCYBIN SUPPLY AGREEMENT FOR CLINICAL TRIALS

Vancouver, B.C. – September 29, 2020: Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) (“Better Plant”) or (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its majority owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences (“NeonMind”) has entered into a definitive agreement with Psygen Labs Inc. (“Psygen”) for the supply of psilocybin for NeonMind’s planned  preclinical, and clinical trials  to study the use of a drug product including Psilocybin for the treatment of food cravings and anxiety. The agreement was signed on September 28th, 2020.

Psygen is currently acting as broker between NeonMind and a licensed dealer of restricted drugs (the “Licensed Dealer“). The Licensed Dealer holds a dealer’s licence issued under Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations (a “Dealer’s Licence“). The Supply Agreement provides that Psygen will supply the psilocybin directly once Psygen holds a Dealer’s License. Psygen currently has a pending application for a Dealer’s License.

“Psilocybin is known to activate serotonin receptors,” says Dr. William Panenka, lead scientific advisor to NeonMind. “As a neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another. Serotonin is responsible for some of the drivers which govern eating. We are very interested in furthering studies to test various dosing regimens for NeonMind to see the effects that psilocybin may have on the serotonin receptors that regulate food cravings.”

“Psygen’s mission is to fill a supply gap for restricted drug substances and restricted drug products for use in clinical trials and in pre-clinical research,” says Danny Motyka, CEO of Psygen Labs Inc. “We have brokered supply of various restricted drugs for pre-clinical studies and clinical trials through our relationship with a Licensed Dealer. Psygen is currently building out a commercial manufacturing facility designed for high-volume output of psychedelic drug substances and drug products, filling a niche in the evolving psychedelic medicine ecosystem. Today these psychedelic drug substances are classified as restricted drugs, meaning no recognized medical use in Canada, and we are playing our part in moving those substances to the controlled drugs schedule of the Food and Drug Regulations or otherwise providing compliant access to psilocybin and other psychedelics.”

In December 2019, NeonMind filed a U.S. provisional patent application in the United States for the invention relating to therapeutic administration of psilocybin to provide weight loss benefits and potential treatment or regulation of diabetes, and regulation of blood glucose, and to reduce susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, chronic renal failure, sleep apnea, asthma, and certain forms of cancer.

In May 2020, NeonMind completed the design of a preclinical trial to confirm that psilocybin is an effective treatment for weight loss and food cravings (the “Trial“). In July 2020, the scientific investigator chosen to lead NeonMind’s preclinical trial submitted a Section 56 Exemption application to Health Canada for the use of psilocybin in the Trial. An exemption must be granted and a final agreement entered into with the laboratory before the Trial can begin.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults or 39% of adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Grandview Research projects that the global weight management market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2019 to 2025 to reach USD $442.3 billion by 2025.

 

About Psygen Labs Inc.

Psygen is a privately held company based in Calgary, Alberta. Psygen specializes in synthetic manufacture of psychedelic drug substances and drug products. Psygen provides non-exclusive access to GMP compliant psychedelic drug substances and drug products for clinical trials, therapeutic applications and pre-clinical studies. Psygen has entered into a number of definitive agreements for ongoing supply of drug substances and is positioned to be a lead supplier in the emerging commercial market for psychedelic drug substances and drug products. Psygen has sponsored a Licensed Dealer who holds a license for the manufacture, sale, import, export, and analysis of LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, 2C-B, and mescaline. Chemists working with Psygen currently operate from a manufacturing laboratory at the University of Alberta. Psygen has applied to Health Canada for a Dealer’s License that will allow Psygen to manufacture, possess, sell, import, export, research, develop, and analyze psychedelic drug substances and drug products. Psygen is currently building out a 6,000 square foot lab capable of large-scale synthesis, formulation and distribution of the above and additional psychedelics to a GMP standard. Psygen intends to be the leader in psychedelic medicine supply chain solutions and is committed to supporting the renaissance in use of psychedelics for research and clinical treatment of a wide variety of mental health issues.

 

About NeonMind Biosciences Inc.

NeonMind is engaged in research and development of products that use functional and psychedelic mushrooms to optimize human health and performance. The company is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing functional mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for a Section 56 Exemption to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents. NeonMind owns 18% of Translational Life Sciences Inc. Better Plant Sciences owns approximately 69% of the issued and outstanding stock of NeonMind.

 

About Better Plant Sciences Inc.

Better Plant develops and acquires intellectual property and other assets related to plant-based products and therapeutics. Through its integrated business model, Better Plant develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes plant-based products. It has over 200 proprietary wellness formulas at various stages of commercialization, including over 20 proprietary products that are now for sale via eCommerce or brick-and-mortar retail stores. It operates websites and oversees eCommerce and Amazon sales for over 200 JUSU plant based products for body, baby and home and has announced it will acquire all JUSU Bar Inc. assets. Its majority-owned subsidiary NeonMind Biosciences Inc. is launching a line of coffees infused with health optimizing functional mushrooms including reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and turkey tail mushrooms. NeonMind is also engaged in research into developing a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) based product for weight loss and has applied for a Section 56 Exemption to begin preclinical trials to study its pending psychedelic medicine patents.

For more information about Better Plant, visit www.betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Penny White, President & CEO

Kevan Matheson, Investor Relations

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-514-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward looking statements”) under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of the Coronavirus, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. Demand for the company’s products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Better cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Revive Therapeutics Announces Update on FDA Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Bucillamine in COVID-19

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2020 – Revive Therapeutics Ltd. (“Revive” or the “Company”) (CSE: RVV, USA: RVVTF), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for medical needs and rare disorders, is pleased to announce an update on the Company’s U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“U.S. FDA”) Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bucillamine in patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. The Company has selected and finalized with five clinical sites in Florida, Texas and California for enrollment of patients in the Phase 3 clinical study, and is finalizing agreements with an additional ten clinical sites in these states including Arizona and Ohio where patient enrollment should start in October within these other locations.

“We have made significant progress in advancing the Phase 3 clinical trial since the FDA approval allowed us to proceed with the study, and we are expanding on and engaging with clinical sites in high prevalence COVID-19 infected states, which will enable us to meet our enrollment goals and expedite the potential FDA approval and commercialization of Bucillamine for the treatment of COVID-19,” said Michael Frank, Revive’s Chief Executive Officer.

About the Phase 3 Clinical Trial

The Phase 3 confirmatory clinical trial titled, “A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Bucillamine in Patients with Mild-Moderate COVID-19”, will enroll up to 1,000 patients that will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive Bucillamine 100 mg three times a day (“TID”), Bucillamine 200 mg TID or placebo TID for up to 14 days. The primary objective is to compare the frequency of hospitalization or death in patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 receiving Bucillamine therapy with those receiving placebo. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients meeting a composite endpoint of hospitalization or death from the time of the first dose through Day 28 following randomization. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing clinical outcomes (death or hospitalization), disease severity using the 8-category NIAID COVID ordinal scale, supplemental oxygen use, and progression of COVID‑19 between patients receiving standard-of-care plus Bucillamine (high dose and/or low dose) and patients receiving standard-of-care plus placebo. Safety will be assessed by reported pre-treatment adverse events and treatment-emergent adverse events (including serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest), laboratory values (hematology and serum chemistry), vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature), and peripheral oxygen saturation.

An interim analysis will be performed by an Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (“DSMB”) after 210 patients have been treated and followed up for 28 days after randomization. The better performing Bucillamine dose at the interim analysis will be selected and patients will then be randomized 2:1 to the selected Bucillamine dose or placebo. Additional interim analyses will be performed after 400, 600, and 800 patients have reached this same post-treatment timepoint. The independent DSMB will actively monitor interim data for the ongoing safety of patients and will recommend continuation, stopping or changes to the conduct of the study based on the interim analysis reports.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate or cure COVID-19 (SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

Scientific Rationale of Bucillamine for COVID-19

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species contribute to the destruction and programmed cell death of pulmonary epithelial cells.1 N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has been shown to significantly attenuate clinical symptoms in respiratory viral infections in animals and humans, primarily via donation of thiols to increase antioxidant activity of cellular glutathione2,3,4,5. Bucillamine (N-(mercapto-2-methylpropionyl)-l-cysteine) has a well-known safety profile and is prescribed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan and South Korea for over 30 years. Bucillamine, a cysteine derivative with two thiol groups, has been shown to be 16 times more potent as a thiol donor in vivo than NAC 6. The drug is non-toxic with high cellular permeability. The basis of the clinical study will analyze if Bucillamine has the potential, via increasing glutathione activity and other anti-inflammatory activity, to lessen the destructive consequences of SARS-CoV2 infection in the lungs and attenuate the clinical course of COVID-19.

About Revive Therapeutics Ltd.

Revive is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases and rare disorders, and it is prioritizing drug development efforts to take advantage of several regulatory incentives awarded by the FDA such as Orphan Drug, Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy and Rare Pediatric Disease designations. Currently, the Company is exploring the use of Bucillamine for the potential treatment of infectious diseases, with an initial focus on severe influenza and COVID-19. With its recent acquisition of Psilocin Pharma Corp., Revive is advancing the development of Psilocybin-based therapeutics in various diseases and disorders. Revive’s cannabinoid pharmaceutical portfolio focuses on rare inflammatory diseases and the company was granted FDA orphan drug status designation for the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) to treat autoimmune hepatitis (liver disease) and to treat ischemia and reperfusion injury from organ transplantation. For more information, visit www.ReviveThera.com.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Frank
Chief Executive Officer
Revive Therapeutics Ltd.
Tel: 1 888 901 0036
Email: mfrank@revivethera.com
Website: www.revivethera.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Revive’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking information in this press release includes information with respect to the Offering, including the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Revive at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Revive is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Reference is made to the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual MD&A for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, which has been filed on SEDAR and is available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

References

1. S Ye et al, Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Production Ameliorates Inflammation Induced by Influenza A Viruses via Upregulation of SOCS1 and SOCS3., American Society for Microbiology. 2015 Mar;89(5):2672-2683).

2. L. Carati et al, Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment., Eur Respir J. 1997 Jul;10(7):1535-41).

3. M Mata et al, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) inhibit mucin synthesis and pro-inflammatory mediators in alveolar type II epithelial cells infected with influenza virus A and B and with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)., Biochem Pharmacol. 2011 Sep;82(5):548-55.

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Numinus Commences Psilocybe Mushroom Cultivation at its Health Canada Licensed Laboratory

Numinus progresses on its ecosystem approach to the ultimate delivery of safe, evidence-based, accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 24, 2020 /CNW/ – Numinus Wellness Inc. (“Numinus” or the “Company”) (TSXV: NUMI), a company creating an ecosystem of health solutions centred on developing and supporting the safe, evidence-based, accessible use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, is pleased to announce it has begun cultivating Psilocybe mushrooms, for the purpose of psilocybin production, at its 7000 square-foot Health Canada licensed facility. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is currently being studied as a treatment for a range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Under its Health Canada licence for the production and extraction of psilocybin from mushrooms, Numinus intends to cultivate and harvest the mushrooms for a variety of purposes including:

  • development of standardized extraction methods
  • exploration of product formulations of naturally occurring psilocybin
  • development and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative mycochemicals standardized test methodologies
  • exploration of the ability to investigate naturally occurring psilocybin’s efficacy as an alternative supply to synthetic psilocybin currently used in research
  • ultimately, the delivery of safe, evidence-based psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy at clinics including its own

“We are thrilled to start growing mushrooms at our laboratory under our Health Canada licence,” says Michael Tan, Chief Operating Officer. “We envision a day when the option of natural, plant-based psilocybin is available for use in therapies at Numinus Clinics and by others, and this is a tangible step towards that goal.”

Numinus’ vertically integrated ecosystem positions the Company to be a first-in-market, trusted leader in the delivery of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies when regulated. From product development and supply, to analytics and testing, to clinical protocol development and implementation science in partnership with leading research organizations, the ecosystem approach allows Numinus to ensure quality control and best-in-class delivery with steady revenue streams to support its developments.

Numinus continues to make progress in all units of its ecosystem. Other recent developments include:

Numinus Health — Upgrades have commenced on the existing wellness clinic for compliance to the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelics Studies (MAPS) specifications for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, to ready the clinic for delivery of therapies and to provide a blueprint for the expansion of Numinus clinics in a range of jurisdictions in the future. In addition, the Company is fast-tracking plans for virtual delivery of transformative health solutions to counter COVID-related risks.

Numinus R&D — Refinements are being implemented in the Company’s clinical protocols to support MDMA and psilocybin research, and partnership discussions with leading research organizations are progressing, with the goal of making these substances accessible in a research context before they are widely available on the market.

Numinus Bioscience — The laboratory is preparing to add additional revenue streams as a contract analytical and research lab for psychedelic substances including MDMA, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, and mescaline under its Health Canada Controlled Drugs and Substances licence.

“Numinus is setting the stage – and establishing its leadership position – for a future state where psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies are approved for clinical use outside of research,” says Payton Nyquvest, Founder, CEO, and Board Chair. “We are progressing on our mission right now by creating the infrastructure and advancing evidence-based research to support routine clinical use in the health care system. We have the infrastructure, licenses, resources, and expertise to help hasten evidence-based accessibility to these treatments so we can, ultimately, help people heal and be well.”

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF NUMINUS WELLNESS INC.

Payton Nyquvest
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair

About Numinus
Numinus is a Vancouver-based health care company creating an ecosystem of health solutions centred around developing and supporting the safe, evidence-based, accessible use of psychedelic-assisted therapies. Numinus’ ecosystem units include Numinus Bioscience, Numinus R&D, and Numinus Health. Each unit is undertaking distinct, synergistic initiatives to hasten legal, for-profit psychedelic-assisted therapy models and position Numinus as a trusted industry leader for the eventual regulated rollout of these therapies.

Numinus Bioscience includes a 7,000 square foot research and testing laboratory as well as numerous Health Canada licenses (through its wholly-owned subsidiary Salvation Botanicals) including a cannabis testing licence used for sustainable B2B revenue to support the company’s psychedelic efforts. The company holds a Dealer’s Licence which allows it to import, export, possess, and test MDMA, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT and mescaline as well as a license to produce and extract psilocybin from mushrooms. These licences allow Numinus to support the growing number of studies on the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies through research projects, product development, and the supply and distribution of these substances.

Numinus R&D is embarking on implementation science and leveraging established relationships for partnerships to host studies, develop medical and therapeutic protocols, and influence regulatory approval.

Numinus Health is dedicated to delivering therapies that enhance and supplement existing options for people wanting lasting physical, mental and emotional health — centred around safe, evidence-based accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Learn more at: numinus.ca and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licenses and permits to operate and expand the Company’s facilities; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to inconsistent public opinion, perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry, bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; the Company’s limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; the Company’s requirements for additional financing, and the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with research and development institutions, customers and suppliers. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc.

For further information: Dana Harvey, VP Communications and Investor Relations, dana@numinus.ca, 778.929.3262