PharmaDrug Announces Addition of Dr. Cindy Hutnik, President of the Canadian Glaucoma Society to Their Scientific Advisory Board to Enhance Ongoing DMT Studies to Treat Glaucoma
Toronto, Ontario – December 13, 2021 – PharmaDrug Inc. (CSE: PHRX) (OTCQB: LMLLF) (“PharmaDrug” or the “Company“), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs, pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Cindy Hutnik to its scientific and clinical advisory board. Dr. Hutnik will assist the Company in its ongoing efforts to develop N,N-dimethyltryptamine (“DMT”) and other related tryptamine analogues as a potential treatment for glaucoma.
Dr. Hutnik, a full professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, is internationally recognized for the significant contributions she has made in understanding the basic pathophysiology of glaucoma, as well as the practical application of this knowledge in her clinical practice. Dr. Hutnik is the current President of the Canadian Glaucoma Society and is a Board member of the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada. Previously, she served as Medical Director of the Ophthalmology Basic Science Laboratory at the Lawson Health Research Institute in the Center for Clinical Investigation and Therapeutics for 18 years, and Chair of Research in the Department of Ophthalmology for 15 years. Her major research interest is focused on the pathophysiology and management of glaucoma with a sub-interest in ocular surface and macular disease. She has supervised and mentored in focused research activities more than 175 students at all levels of training ranging from high school to graduate science and medicine. Her work has been presented and published both nationally and internationally and has been recognized with over 90 awards. With deep industry connections, Dr. Hutnik continues to have keen interest in translating novel discoveries into innovative treatments for patients with glaucoma.
Dr. Hutnik, commented, “I am very excited to work with PharmaDrug in supporting their research and development initiatives in discovering novel uses and formulations of 5-HT receptor agonists, as a potential treatment of glaucoma and other underserved ophthalmology indications. PharmaDrug’s candidate molecule studies, currently being conducted at the renowned Terasaki Institute, represent an exciting, paradigm shifting approach to improving outcomes for patients suffering from glaucoma.”
PharmaDrug’s Candidate DMT-Analogue Molecules Display Low Cytotoxicity
Under an ongoing sponsored research agreement with Terasaki Institute of Biomedical Innovation, the Company has initiated in vitro studies to assess the impact (cytotoxicity, potency and duration of activity) of its two candidate molecules on specific cell types known to regulate pressure disequilibrium in the eyes of patients suffering from glaucoma. Initial in vitro cytotoxicity studies on the Company’s two candidate tryptamine molecules have now been completed and the data shows exceedingly low/absent impact on cellular viability across a concentration range that exceeds what is expected to be used clinically. Further functional data from the ongoing 2-dimensional cell culture studies is expected in January. Those data will be extended by investigating the impact of the lead candidate molecule in 3-dimensional microtissue studies aimed at specifically assessing smooth muscle contractility; a response understood to be critical in maintenance of healthy eye function.
The company believes with the engagement of Dr. Hutnik, its access to world class basic science and clinical expertise in ophthalmology has been significantly enhanced. Following the completion of in vitro studies, the company will proceed to IND-enabling efficacy studies using a well accepted animal model of glaucoma. The in vivo studies are expected to begin in the second quarter with a focus on evaluating tolerability and efficacy (ability to lower intraocular pressure “IOP”) when applied as a topical eyedrop in animal models of glaucoma. These studies will then be followed by development and testing of a purpose-built medical device capable of delivering sustained, local, sub-psychotropic levels of the development candidate to patients afflicted with glaucoma.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Hutnik join us as a scientific and clinical advisor for our ophthalmology program, and we look forward to her contributions as we advance the research and development of our novel formulation in the treatment of glaucoma,” said Daniel Cohen, Chairman and CEO of PharmaDrug. “Dr. Hutnik is a highly regarded, leader in the field of glaucoma, and she brings invaluable guidance and clinical trial experience having served as Principal Investigator on various clinical trials in the glaucoma space.”
Unmet Medical Need For Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness around the world. The global prevalence of glaucoma in people aged 40-80 years is estimated to be 3.5%1. Currently there are over 3 million people living with glaucoma in the US. In addition to the significant personal toll glaucoma takes on sufferers, the related costs and productivity losses now approach $3 billion in the US annually2. Increased IOP is a common feature noted in multiple types of glaucoma, that when left untreated, results in progressive and irreversible vision loss as a result of damage to the optic nerve.
Current treatments for glaucoma consist of surgery and/or topically administered eye drops that are aimed at lowering IOP. Despite widespread use of topical agents, protection from the cumulative harm of elevated IOP remains significant. As such, opportunities related to improved patient care and outcomes are sorely needed. Development of novel IOP lowering agents formulated using approaches that reduce common side effects and improve patient compliance continue to represent the cornerstone of novel treatments.
The Potential For DMT In Ophthalmology
Serotonin receptor 2a (aka 5-HT2a) is prominently displayed in areas of the eye that are known to be vital in the control of IOP. Basic research has shown that topical application of 5-HT2A agonists, including several analogues of DMT, potently reduce IOP in animal models of glaucoma3. DMT belongs to a class of compounds collectively referred to as tryptamines. Multiple different tryptamine family members have previously been shown to improve experimental models of glaucoma, however poor metabolic stability and solubility made them poor development candidates3. Leveraging existing knowhow in the DMT space, PharmaDrug intends to develop a metabolically stable, controlled release analogue of DMT for lowering elevated IOP. Our formulation will reduce the need for frequent re-application and in so doing, improve patient convenience and compliance.
A half century ago, with the passing of the Controlled Substances Act, almost all research directed at harnessing the promising therapeutic potential of psychedelics to treat serious, unmet medical needs all but ceased. The recent resurgence of research in psychedelics is just now beginning to take shape. We believe that our ongoing investment in high quality, foundational academic research combined with our translational activities focused outside of the neuropsychiatric space has strong strategic merit and is backed by sound mechanistic understanding.
About PharmaDrug Inc.
PharmaDrug is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs. PharmaDrug owns 100% of Pharmadrug Production GmbH (“Pharmadrug Production”), a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license and German EuGMP certification allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the European Union. PharmaDrug recently acquired Sairiyo Therapeutics (“Sairiyo”), a biotech company that specializes in researching and reformulating established natural medicines with a goal of bringing them through clinical trials and the associated regulatory approval process in the US and Europe. Sairiyo is currently developing its patented reformulation of cepharanthine, a drug that has shown substantial third party validated potential for the treatment of COVID-19 and rare cancers. Sairiyo is also conducting R&D in the psychedelics space for the treatment of non-neuropsychiatric conditions. The Company also owns 100% of Super Smart, a company building a vertically integrated retail business with the goal to elevate the use of functional mushrooms, and psilocybin mushrooms where federally legal, as natural based medicines.
For further information, please contact:
Daniel Cohen, Chairman and CEO
dcohen@pharmadrug.co
(647) 202-1824
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References:
1) Kang JM, Tanna AP. Glaucoma. Med Clin North Am. 2021 May;105(3):493-510. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.01.004. Epub 2021 Apr 2. PMID: 33926643.
2) https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/article/glaucoma-facts-figures
3) May JA, McLaughlin MA, Sharif NA, Hellberg MR, Dean TR. Evaluation of the ocular hypotensive response of serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor ligands in conscious ocular hypertensive cynomolgus monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003 Jul;306(1):301-9. doi: 10.1124/jpet.103.049528. Epub 2003 Apr 3. PMID: 12676887.