Israel-Based Clearmind
Medicine Shows Efficacy of Psychedelic- Derived Obesity Treatment
in Pre-Clinical Trial
In a series of pre-clinical
trials, Clearmind's drug candidate MEAI significantly reduced body
weight, improved fatty liver disease, and normalized insulin
sensitivity
Tel Aviv, Israel / Vancouver, Canada, Jan. 5,
2023 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Clearmind Medicine Inc.
(Nasdaq:CMND, CSE: CMND), (FSE: CWY)
("Clearmind" or the
"company"), a biotech company focused on
discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics
to solve major undertreated health problems, today announced
positive pre-clinical results demonstrating efficacy of its drug
candidate MEAI for treating obesity and metabolic
syndrome.
The study, conducted at the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, as part of a collaboration established with the
university's technology transfer company, Yissum, included
multi-parameter metabolic assessments such as body weight, fat
mass, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, liver enzymes and fat
accumulation as well as food consumption patterns. It included
three groups of rodents: one was fed a standard diet, another a
high-fat diet, and the third a high-fat diet group along with
treatment with MEAI.
The animals treated with MEAI showed increased
energy expenditure, better fat utilization and weight loss of 20%,
while reducing their overall fat mass and preserving their lean
body mass. No effect on motivation and well-being was observed.
Additionally, MEAI treatment yielded normalization of insulin
levels, improved glucose tolerance as well as reduced fat and
triglycerides accumulation in the liver. These results were
significantly better than those obtained in the high fat, untreated
group.
In addition, a significant reduction in sucrose
preference was observed following administration of MEAI for two
days at the effective dose, supporting the notion that it can
dampen the hedonic value of rewarding stimuli. Thus, MEAI may be
beneficial for the treatment of compulsive reward-seeking behavior
or excessive consumption of sweet foods.
"We're very excited about these results, which
suggest that MEAI may be effective in treating obesity, one of the
world's most pressing problems," said Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani,
Clearmind's Chief Executive Officer "These additional
positive results in our treatment of addictions, once again
indicate MEAI's potential to
become a viable treatment for a variety of
disorders."
Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani also noted that the global
market for obesity drugs was valued by third-party sources in 2021
at $1.9 billion.
The study was led by Prof. Joseph Tam, D.M.D.,
Ph.D., head of the Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory and Associate
Professor of Pharmacology at the Hebrew University's Institute for
Drug Research and Dr. Saja Baraghithy, Ph.D.
"While there is some evidence suggesting that
psychedelic drugs, such as LSD and psilocybin, may be effective in
treating obesity and other eating disorders, no solid experimental
proof really exists, until now. We show for the first time that
MEAI's obesity effect works by altering various metabolic processes
in the body, such as energy expenditure, fat storage and glucose
utilization to promote weight loss," said Prof. Tam. "These
findings suggest that MEAI may be beneficial for reducing the risk
of obesity-related complications, such as type 2 diabetes and fatty
liver diseases."
According to the
World Health Organization, 1 billion people,
accounting for more than 30% of
the global population, are overweight. About 5% of deaths worldwide
are the result of obesity. If current trends continue, half of the
global adult population will be overweight over the next decade.
Obesity costs the global economy $2 trillion and accounts for up to
7% of healthcare expenditures in industrialized countries (up to
20% if treatment of related illnesses is factored in).
Recent research by
Morgan Stanley indicates that
obesity treatment could quickly
become a top-12 global therapy, growing from a $2.4 billion
category in 2022 to $54 billion by 2030. Morgan Stanley forecasted
Novo Nordisk and Lilly would together capture about 40% of the
market by developing and launching a dozen obesity medicines
currently in development. This underserved multibillion-dollar
market creates significant opportunities for Clearmind to generate
substantial revenues, should MEAI reach the market as an obesity
treatment.
About Clearmind
Medicine Inc.
Clearmind is a psychedelic pharmaceutical
biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel
psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and
underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. Its
primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based
compounds and attempt to commercialize them as regulated medicines,
foods or supplements.
The Company's intellectual portfolio currently
consists of seven patent families. The Company intends to seek
additional patents for its compounds whenever warranted and will
remain opportunistic regarding the acquisition of additional
intellectual property to build its portfolio.
Shares of Clearmind are listed for trading on
Nasdaq under the symbol "CMND", the Canadian Securities Exchange under
the symbol "CMND" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under
the symbol "CWY."
For further
information, please contact:
Investor
Relations,
Email:
invest@clearmindmedicine.com
Telephone:
(604) 260-1566
General
Inquiries,
Info@Clearmindmedicine.com
www.Clearmindmedicine.com
About Yissum
Yissum is the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem. Founded in 1964, it serves as a bridge between
cutting-edge academic research and a global community of
entrepreneurs, investors, and industry. Yissum's mission is to
benefit society by converting extraordinary innovations and
transformational technologies into commercial solutions that
address our most urgent global challenges. Yissum has registered
over 11,000 patents globally; licensed over 1,140 technologies and
has spun out more than 200 companies. Yissum's business partners
span the globe and include companies such as Boston Scientific,
ICL, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis and many more.
For further information please visit
www.yissum.co.il
About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's leading academic and
research institution. Serving 24,000 students from 80 countries, it
produces a third of Israel's civilian research and is ranked 12th
worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial
development. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won
eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal since 2000. For more
information, visit us at
Hebrew University.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS:
This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act and other securities laws. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates"
and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. For example, the Company is
using forward-looking statements when it discusses that
psychedelic-based treatments hold potential to address and provide
solutions for various health conditions. In addition, historic
results of scientific research do not guarantee that the
conclusions of future research would suggest similar conclusions or
that historic results referred to in this press release would be
interpreted similarly in light of additional research or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based
upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections,
many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such
expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith.
However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations,
beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may
differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or
results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the
risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to
the Company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, but not limited to, the
risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus (registration No.
333-265900) filed with the SEC on November 16, 2022.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements
are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent
events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other
factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent
required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update
one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be
drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect
thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
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convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not
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