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PharmaTher Applies for FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Ketamine to Treat Rare Neurological Disorder Status Epilepticus

PharmaTher Applies for FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Ketamine to Treat Rare Neurological Disorder Status Epilepticus

  • Adds to PharmaTher’s existing FDA orphan drug portfolio with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and complex regional pain syndrome
  • Strengthens commitment to treat rare disorders and life-threatening conditions with ketamine
TORONTO, November 24, 2021 — PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “PharmaTher”) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company, is pleased to announce that it has applied with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to receive Orphan Drug Designation (“ODD”) for ketamine to treat Status Epilepticus (“SE”), a rare neurological disorder requiring emergency treatment for a seizure.  The Company has received FDA ODD for ketamine to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) and complex regional pain syndrome (“CRPS”).  The addition of SE strengthens the Company’s pharmaceutical strategy in developing novel uses and delivery methods (i.e. microneedle patch) for ketamine to treat rare disorders and life-threatening conditions.

SE is a life-threatening occurrence of a prolonged seizure or recurrent seizures without recovery of consciousness between seizures (Lowenstein 1999) lasting more than five minutes. Epidemiological studies found an annual incidence of SE ranging from 41/100,000-61/100,000 (DeLorenzo 1996). Based on these studies, there are approximately 120,000-180,000 episodes of convulsive SE each year in the U.S. SE affects individuals of all ages and it complicates various neurological and systemic illnesses. If SE is not treated immediately, permanent neuronal damage may occur, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates. The mortality associated with SE is estimated at 17% and may lead to morbidity, including cognitive defects and neurological injury. SE is initially treated with benzodiazepines, which approximately 35-45% of patients are refractory to benzodiazepines.

Fabio Chianelli, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaTher, said, “Ketamine has the potential to treat various mental health, neurological and pain disorders, and we are focused on expanding ketamine’s therapeutic utility in rare disorders and life-threatening conditions including, but not limited to, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and now status epilepticus.  The FDA orphan drug application for ketamine to treat status epilepticus builds on our belief in the potential of ketamine to improve quality of life and to save lives.”

The Orphan Drug Act grants special status to a drug or biological product to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. This status is referred to as orphan designation (or sometimes “orphan status”). The FDA grants orphan status to products that treat rare diseases, providing incentives to sponsors developing drugs or biologics. The FDA defines rare diseases as those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States at any given time. Orphan drug designation would qualify ketamine for certain benefits and incentives, including seven years of marketing exclusivity if regulatory approval is ultimately received for the designated indication, potential tax credits for certain clinical drug testing costs, activities, eligibility for orphan drug grants, and the waiver of the FDA New Drug Application filing fee of approximately $2.4 million.

About PharmaTher Holdings Ltd.

​PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM) is a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel uses, formulations and delivery methods of psychedelics, such as ketamine, to treat mental health, neurological and pain disorders.  PharmaTher is currently advancing an FDA approved phase 2 clinical study with ketamine to treat Parkinson’s disease and is developing a novel microneedle patch for the intradermal delivery of psychedelics and infectious disease treatments.
​
Learn more at:  PharmaTher.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more business development opportunities or information about PharmaTher, please contact:

Fabio Chianelli
Chief Executive Officer
PharmaTher Holdings Ltd.
Tel: 1-888-846-3171
Email: info@pharmather.com
Website: www.pharmather.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”, “potential”, “aim” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company”) current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company 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 Company 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the period of August 31, 2021 (“MD&A”), dated October 27, 2021, which is available on the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction.

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PharmaTher Granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation For Ketamine To Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

PharmaTher Granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation For Ketamine To Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Achieving its second FDA orphan drug designation with ketamine.
  • Building a proprietary ketamine-based product pipeline for rare and near-rare disorders in pain and inflammation.
  • Seeking to enter Phase 2 clinical trial in 2022.

TORONTO, October 13, 2021 — PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “PharmaTher”) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation (ODD) for ketamine in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a rare chronic pain and inflammatory condition following an injury to a limb (arm, leg, hand or foot).  This follows the FDA ODD grant of ketamine for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, announced by the Company on August 4, 2021.

Fabio Chianelli, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaTher, said, “Receiving our second FDA orphan drug designation with ketamine for CRPS continues our momentum in building a specialty ketamine-based product pipeline for not only mental health disorders, but also for rare and near-rare conditions present in neurological (Parkinson’s disease, ALS), pain and inflammatory disorders.  We expect to pursue a Phase 2 clinical study using our proprietary cGMP ketamine product in 2022 for CRPS.”

CRPS is a debilitating condition characterized by severe, continuous, burning or throbbing pain in a limb.  CRPS is known as one of the most painful disorders and the risk of suicide is significantly higher in patients with CRPS with one study demonstrating that 75% of patients had a high risk for suicide (Lee et al., Psychiatry Investig 2014;11(1):32-8).  CRPS has acute (recent, short-term) and chronic (lasting greater than six months) forms of excessive pain accompanied by changes in skin color, temperature and/or swelling, which results in loss of physical function and can lead to significant and sometimes permanent disability.  CRPS can occur after surgery or trauma, including brain or spinal cord injury.  There is currently no medication approved for the treatment of CRPS.

Ketamine acts as a noncompetitive, NMDA channel blocker that can prevent the induction of synaptic potentiation.  NMDA receptors play a central role in the processes of induction and maintenance of pain sensitization, accounting for the analgesic efficacy of ketamine.  Although ketamine has actions at other relevant sites, including nicotinic and opioid receptors, as well as, via monoamine reuptake transporters, it is likely that both the anesthetic and the analgesic actions of ketamine are largely mediated by NMDA receptor antagonism.  Likewise, the psychotropic and sympatho-excitatory side effects of ketamine are also predominantly mediated through NMDA receptor blockade.

The Orphan Drug Act grants special status to a drug or biological product to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. This status is referred to as orphan designation (or sometimes “orphan status”). The FDA grants orphan status to products that treat rare diseases, providing incentives to sponsors developing drugs or biologics. The FDA defines rare diseases as those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States at any given time. Orphan drug designation would qualify a drug for certain benefits and incentives, including seven years of marketing exclusivity if regulatory approval is ultimately received for the designated indication, potential tax credits for certain clinical drug testing costs, activities, eligibility for orphan drug grants, and the waiver of the FDA New Drug Application filing fee of approximately $2.4 million.

About PharmaTher Holdings Ltd.

​PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM) is a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel uses, formulations and delivery methods of psychedelics, such as ketamine, to treat mental health, neurological and pain disorders.  PharmaTher is currently initiating an FDA approved phase 2 clinical study with ketamine to treat Parkinson’s disease and is developing a novel microneedle patch for the intradermal delivery of psychedelics.
​
Learn more at:  PharmaTher.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information about PharmaTher, please contact:

Fabio Chianelli
Chief Executive Officer
PharmaTher Holdings Ltd.
Tel: 1-888-846-3171
Email: info@pharmather.com
Website: www.pharmather.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”, “potential”, “aim” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company”) current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company 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 Company 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the period of May 31, 2021 (“MD&A”), dated September 7, 2021, which is available on the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction.

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Will shrooms replace opioids?

TRYP THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PHASE 2A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR FIBROMYALGIA WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Current treatments for fibromyalgia are often ineffective, with less than 10% of patients adhering to treatment for more than a year and 30% resorting to opioids to relieve pain.

Tryp Therapeutics (TRYP), a BC psychedelics company, is working to change this with psilocybin medicine.

This Wednesday, Tryp announced that it will be conducting a Phase 2a clinical trial to evaluate its oral formulation of synthetic psilocybin, TRYP-8802, in treating fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder that affects up to 8% of the population.

The trial will take place at the University of Michigan’s Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center and will be the world’s first trial of its kind. TRYP-8802 also shows potential to treat eating disorders, phantom limb pain, and complex regional pain syndrome by increasing neuroplasticity.

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