(R)-Ketamine Hydrochloride

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development and commercialization of cutting-edge treatments for mental disorders, is pleased to announce that its patent application for BETR-001 and LSD derivatives titled “LSD derivatives, synthesis & method for treatment of diseases and disorders” has been published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) under publication number US-2023/0357243-A1 and available for access on USPTO’s databases. BetterLife is presently developing one of these derivatives: a 2-bromo derivative of LSD (BETR-001) that is non-hallucinogenic and, in preclinical animal models, has been shown to be a potent neuroplastogen and have efficacy against depression/anxiety states. This published U.S. patent is part of a developing international patent portfolio which cover new compositions of 2-bromo-LSD and other LSD derivatives. In addition to composition claims, these applications also cover a novel method for making non-hallucinogenic LSD derivatives that does not involve the use of controlled substances at any stage. The applications also cover use of these derivatives in the treatment of a range of neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions, including depression, anxiety, cluster headaches and neuropathic pain. Betterlife is also pleased that its efforts to develop novel therapies for mental disorders were highlighted in the November 8 edition of The Atlantic. The Atlantic journal highlighted the potential of the BETR-001 program, as a non-hallucinogenic analog of LSD, in an article entitled “What If Psychedelics’ Hallucinations Are Just a Side Effect?” The article discusses, in part, that a growing number of key opinion leaders in neuroscience now believe that the hallucination caused by psychedelics is just a side effect and not necessary to produce mental-health benefits by this class of drugs. BETR-001 is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies and projected to enter human trials in 2024. Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife commented, “We are very pleased with the recognition of our development work in The Atlantic as well as the publication of our patent. These strong claims on synthesis and composition of BETR-001, including its stereoisomers and polymorphs, will greatly enhance the value of our lead product, much like we are seeing with similar composition patents for molecules such as S-and R-ketamine and psilocybin polymorphs that have recently been upheld by the USPTO.” About BetterLife Pharma BetterLife Pharma Inc. is an emerging biotechnology company primarily focused on developing and commercializing two compounds, BETR-001 and BETR-002, to treat neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders. BETR-001, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is a non-hallucinogenic and non-controlled LSD derivative in development and it is unique in that it is unregulated and therefore can be self-administered. BetterLife’s synthesis patent for BETR-001 eliminates regulatory hurdles and its pending patent, for composition and method of use, covers treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and neuropathic pain and other neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders. BETR-002, which is in preclinical and IND-enabling studies, is based on honokiol, the active anxiolytic ingredient of magnolia bark. BetterLife’s pending method of use and formulations patent covers treatment of anxiety related disorders including benzodiazepine dependency. BetterLife also owns a drug candidate for the treatment of viral infections such as COVID-19 and is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development. For further information, please visit BetterLife Pharma. BetterLife Pharma Inc. Contact Information David Melles, Investor Relations ManagerEmail: David.Melles@blifepharma.comPhone: 1-778-887-1928 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements No securities exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

LOUISVILLE, Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ERP Biomarker Qualification Consortium announced today that they will be presenting data from a recently completed, pharma industry sponsored study that measured the electrophysiologic effects of ketamine on healthy brain function, at the CNS Summit 2023 in Boston. The EBS-B study was performed at CenExel Research and utilized the COGNISION® System for EEG/ERP acquisition and analysis. The study results will be presented on two posters during the poster session on Thursday, November 9 at 5:00-7:00pm. Poster #34 will be the first report of the "Magnitude and Repeatability of Ketamine Effects on ERP and QEEG Biomarkers in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers". These results include effect size and test-retest reliability statistics for a wide range of common ERP/QEEG measures. "Accurate reliability and effect size metrics are critical for biomarker implementation in pharma trials." said Dr. Marco Cecchi, CSO, Cognision. Poster #33 will report that "Baseline Mismatch Negativity Amplitude Predicts Direction and Magnitude of Ketamine Effect in Healthy Volunteers - a Disordinal Effect". This poster will present a statistical explanation of the often-contradictory results in previous Ketamine-challenge studies. "Numerous investigators have struggled to understand the inconsistent results often reported in ketamine studies. We hypothesized that these effects could be due to a "disordinal" drug effect. Our results are the first to statistically demonstrate the reality of a disordinal drug response, and that the effect can be predicted at baseline. These new insights may open the door to novel precision psychiatry approaches." said Dr. Daniel Mathalon, Professor of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Recently, ketamine-like compounds have been a focus of many development efforts across the pharma industry, especially with the market release by Janssen Pharmaceuticals of SPRAVATO® (esketamine) to treat treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Esketamine and arketamine are being developed to target depression, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric and neurological disorders. "Our study results advance the science and support the more widespread use of electrophysiology endpoints for all stakeholders developing drugs to treat complex neurological disorders. Studies that investigate biomarker reliability and seemingly 'paradoxical effects' on study endpoints prove the importance of precompetitive participation from industry and academic organizations." Said Dr. Larry Ereshefsky, Chief Scientific Officer at CenExel Research. About the ERP Biomarker Qualification Consortium The EBS-B study was sponsored by the ERP Biomarker Qualification Consortium, whose membership includes; AbbVie, Alkermes, Anavex, Astellas, Cognision, Lundbeck, Merck, Neurocrine, Novartis, Sage, and Takeda. The consortium is dedicated to performing "precompetitive" studies in neuro-related areas to standardize protocols and procedures and provide results benefitting large near-term drug programs. Study results might include quantification of brain-related deficits that can be used as drug targets, quantification of the brain effects of well understood compounds, or development of normative databases of brain-based biomarkers. The consortium intends to publish all data and results from their studies to provide value across the drug development industry. Contact: K.C. Fadem ERP Biomarker Qualification Consortium, Cognision 1044 E. Chestnut St. Louisville KY 40204 (502) 561-9040 X7001 [email protected] SOURCE ERP Biomarker Qualification Consortium