Canadian biotech company, Nova Mentis life Science Corp. has filed new provisional patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to keep the results of its recent psilocybin studies protected.
The move marks an important milestone in anti-prohibitionism and alternative medicine however motivations behind the actions may be skewed.
Recent results in studies on rats have yielded promising outcomes in the potential treatment and management of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
NOVA’s Therapeutic Paradigm
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in more than 200 varieties of mushrooms. While the compound is usually consumed for its psychedelic effects, recent studies have established the power of psilocybin in medicinal settings.
In one study conducted by Johns Hopkins, adults with Major Depressive Disorder were given two doses of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy. The study revealed monumental drops in depression-related symptoms, with most participants reporting some reduction of symptoms, and some reporting total remission.
Diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment of neuroinflammatory illnesses and disorders with psychoactive tryptamine derivatives are all part of the NOVA therapeutic paradigm.
By producing clinical biomarker data for abnormal gene expression and cellular communication in neurological disease or injury, their research program aims to highlight the need for an accurate and effective method for diagnosing and treating neuroinflammatory disorders (NID). It also aims to provide insights into potential interventions and disease monitoring.
“A Major Milestone”
The recent patent application filing, according to Dr. Marvin S. Hausman MD, head of NOVA’s Scientific Advisory Board, is a “significant milestone” in their psilocybin research.
And indeed it is.
Anti-prohibitionists have been advocating for deeper research into the potential benefits of drugs including marijuana, psilocybin and LSD for some time.
By applying, Nova Mentis has made an implicit statement of the values it represents, its current research, and its intentions for the future.
NID, ASD, And FXS
The company has been conducting studies involving psilocybin in the treatment of several disorders including Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
When administered to patients orally regularly, microdose psilocybin demonstrated a more significant improvement in memory for patients with Fragile X Syndrome than when administered intravenously.
Further, metabolic changes within the small intestine and gut microbiome “may represent a new paradigm in the application of psilocybin to the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD),” according to Haussman.
The psilocybin formulation was tested in two different rat models of autism and the results showed that it was safe and effective. In February, NOVA declared that its preclinical trial, which verified oral microdose psilocybin as a possible therapeutic option for ASD and FXS, had been completed.
Not For Profit
Benzinga has referred to the continued expansion and success of Nova Mentis Life Science Corp’s research as a “strengthening” of the company’s “intellectual property.”
And while the achievements are indeed worth celebrating, it’s important to remember why these studies are being carried out and why their results matter.
The goal of anti-prohibitionism and increased research on the potential of psychedelic drugs in the medical setting should always be for the improved life quality of the patient. Indeed, the successes of biotech companies and their research will undoubtedly lead to significant profit.
That being said, we must not lose sight of the populations we are trying to help. People on the Autism spectrum, people suffering from chronic pain, debilitating depression and anxiety. It is the people we must continue to support, not the price tag.
Advances in the pharmaceutical industry are promising. While the filing of patent applications for alternative medicine treatments is a promising move in the right direction, it is important for the higher-ups at biotech and research companies must maintain a wellness-based approach.
The results that have been seen so far are incredibly promising and we must continue to make conscious strides toward solutions for those suffering across the country.
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