Mental health has been at the forefront of the news since the pandemic.
Companies such as Bright Minds Biosciences (DRUG) develop novel drugs for the targeted treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
The company is responsible for formulating novel transformative treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and pain.
According to the American neuroscientist Thomas R. Insel, “Neuropsychiatric disorders are among the most prevalent, costly, and disabling conditions affecting individuals and society worldwide” – Thomas R. Insel.
With science and medicine ever-changing, the company has implemented changes to its clinical programs.
“This is an exciting time for Bright Minds,” said Ian McDonald, CEO and Co-founder of Bright Minds Biosciences.
Advancements in 2023
“We are pleased with the progress of our Phase 1 first-in-human trial of BMB-101. We believe there are large potential market opportunities for [treating] refractory epilepsies beyond Dravet syndrome and a host of other indications, such as psychosis and addiction disorders,” continued McDonald.
The BMB-101, 5-HT2c is a biased agonist that “has shown strong Gq signalling coupled with minimal beta-arrestin recruitment.” These specific receptors are considered involved in epileptiform activity, and their activation is thought to have anticonvulsant properties.
The study underwent a three-part approach, with the first consisting of a single ascending dose.
The second has a ‘food effect,’ and the third consists of multiple ascending doses. For part three, only one cohort has been completed.
To help patients return to a level of a healthy life. The 5-HT receptors regulate cognitive function, emotions, memory, and the ever-important sleep-wake cycle.
The company constantly evolves, and Macdonald looks forward to the next-generation psychedelics program.
CEO of Bright Minds added, “BMB-202, a fast, C max driven 5-HT 2A agonist for the treatment of depression, is expected to enter a first-in-human trial late this year.”
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) production completed for BMB-101 drug substance and drug product.
As for ‘BMB-202, it is a highly selective 5-HT2A agonist with proprietary intellectual property,’ brightmindsbio.com.
The first-in-human trials are expected to start this year with a dose range-finding study completed.
Changes to the leadership team
There have been changes to the leadership team within the fast-growing and ever-developing company.
Mark A. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Smith is an experienced executive in CNS drug development and has directed more than 50 clinical trials across all stages of development.
In addition to Dr. Smith, Jan Torleif Pedersen, MSc Ph.D., has been appointed Chief Scientific Officer, bringing over 25 years of experience.
David Weiner, MD, has also joined its board of directors as a non-executive director.
Looking to the future, the company will be at the BIO-Europe Spring Conference in Basel, Switzerland, on March 20 to 22, 2023.
With its many next-generation serotonin agonists, Bright Minds Bioscience develops novel transformative treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and pain.
Bright minds Bioscience (DRUG) is down over 10 per cent, trading at C$0.80 at close on February 27, 2023.
