BetterLife Pharma Inc., an emerging biotechnology company based in Canada, applied for patent protection of new 2-Bromo-LSD formulations and their use in the treatment of depression and mood disorders. Depression and mood disorders affect millions of men and women every year, but most are not aware of it. Women tend to be more psychologically vulnerable to mood disorders than men. There are a variety of reasons why women experience depression and mood disorders, ranging from hormone imbalances to relationship complications or just a little bit of stress and tension. When making treatment plans for women, such as life events and current life circumstances, take into consideration their unique individual needs. Treatment of depression and mood disorders includes use of antidepressants.
2-Bromo-LSD, also known as BOL-148, is a nontoxic second-generation LSD-derived molecule, has demonstrated potential in the treatment of cluster headaches. The molecule acts similarly to lysergic acid diethylamide, a hallucinogenic drug, commonly used as a recreational drug. Lysergic acid diethylamide currently has no approved uses in medicine, owing to its psychedelic effects or hallucinations. However, 2-Bromo-LSD is capable of producing therapeutic effects without the mentioned side effects of lysergic acid diethylamide.
The patent protection of Bromo-LSD formulations is expected to offered lucrative growth opportunities for BetterLife Pharma Inc., especially due to the emergence of Covid-19. The Covid-19 has led to increasing prevalence of depression among adults. According to a study published in September 2020, in JAMA Network Open, COVID-19 has tripled the rate of depression in US adults in all demographic groups—especially in those with financial worries. The patent protection is also expected to help BetterLife Pharma Inc. in expanding its footprints in the psychedelic drugs market. The company recently, completed the acquisition of Transcend Biodynamics LLC, a research-focused biotechnology company, for the transaction valued at US$ 10 million.