Neonmind Biosciences research aims to unlock the secrets of psyilocybin
According to Coherent Market Insights, the global weight loss and obesity management market is estimated to surpass USD $294 billion by 2026. One Canadian drug development company, Neonmind Biosciences [CSE: NEON], is looking to tap into that market with a unique approach to weight control that would combine the psychedelic effects of synthetic psilocybin — a substance found naturally in certain mushrooms — with psychotherapy in a controlled setting.
Robert Tessarolo, president and chief executive officer with Neonmind, notes that a growing number of studies have provided evidence regarding the effects of psychedelics, including psilocybin, on human health.
“Our next steps will include randomized, controlled studies focused on evaluating the efficacy of two synthetic psilocybinbased drug candidates for the treatment of obesity as an aid to chronic weight management,” he says. “That would include higher doses of psilocybin that create a psychedelic effect and lower ongoing doses that are sub-hallucinogenic.”
Tessarolo says that Neonmind’s recent preclinical trial involving rodents conducted at UBC demonstrated that both high- and low-dose psilocybin were effective in reducing rodent weight gain.
“We’re currently planning a Phase II study using high-dose psilocybin alongside psychotherapy to examine the potential for both immediate and longterm weight control benefits,” he says. “We’ll seek approval to conduct the trial from FDA and Health Canada and believe it’s possible to be enrolling patients by the end of the year.”
Tessarolo has significant commercial product development experience across numerous therapeutic sectors, including obesity. The company’s advisory board includes such noted experts as Albert Garcia-romeu of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, whose research has examined the effects of psilocybin as an aid in the treatment of addiction, and Dr. Laird Birmingham of UBC, an expert in the treatment and study of eating and weight disorders.
Importantly, many psychedelic treatments, once approved, will require specialized clinics to ensure treatment appropriateness and effectiveness. In fact there are already physicianendorsed specialized treatments involving psychedelics, but a lack of infrastructure is impeding patient access to these promising treatments.
Part of Neonmind’s business strategy involves simultaneously establishing a chain of branded health clinics designed to provide an environment for the specialized delivery of evidencebacked, psychedelic treatments and other newer treatments for mental health disorders.
“We believe that speed to market and early mover advantage will be critical in determining success with psychedelics as therapeutics,” says Tessarolo. “We’re in a position to develop important data, and present it to the FDA and Health Canada with the message that we’re working toward something that’s safe, effective and approaching obesity treatment with a novel and promising modality to address a large unmet need.”
For more information, visit Neonmind Biosciences.