BetterLife Pharma Provides Scientific Update on Neuroplastogenic Activity of BETR-001
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF) presented promising scientific data for its drug candidate BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen, at the Bloom Burton Conference. The research demonstrated BETR-001's superior ability to induce neuroplasticity in rat brain cortical neurons compared to ketamine, showing significant formation of new spines and increased neuronal dendrite growth.
BETR-001 is being developed to treat various psychiatric and neurological conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, migraines, and neuropathic pain. The company has secured USPTO patent protection for BETR-001's composition of matter and completed most IND-enabling studies. BetterLife plans to file its IND application and initiate human trials in H1 2026.
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF) ha presentato dati scientifici promettenti per il suo candidato farmaco BETR-001, un neuroplastogeno non allucinogeno, durante la Bloom Burton Conference. La ricerca ha dimostrato la superiore capacità di BETR-001 di indurre neuroplasticità nei neuroni corticali del cervello di ratto rispetto alla ketamina, evidenziando una significativa formazione di nuove spine e una maggiore crescita dei dendriti neuronali.
BETR-001 è in fase di sviluppo per trattare diverse condizioni psichiatriche e neurologiche, tra cui depressione, ansia, PTSD, lesioni cerebrali traumatiche, emicranie e dolore neuropatico. L'azienda ha ottenuto la protezione brevettuale USPTO per la composizione di BETR-001 e ha completato la maggior parte degli studi necessari per l'IND. BetterLife prevede di presentare la domanda IND e avviare le sperimentazioni umane nella prima metà del 2026.
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF) presentó datos científicos prometedores para su candidato a medicamento BETR-001, un neuroplastógeno no alucinógeno, en la Conferencia Bloom Burton. La investigación mostró la superior capacidad de BETR-001 para inducir neuroplasticidad en neuronas corticales cerebrales de rata en comparación con la ketamina, evidenciando una formación significativa de nuevas espinas y un aumento en el crecimiento de las dendritas neuronales.
BETR-001 se está desarrollando para tratar diversas condiciones psiquiátricas y neurológicas, incluyendo depresión, ansiedad, TEPT, lesiones cerebrales traumáticas, migrañas y dolor neuropático. La compañía ha asegurado la protección de patente USPTO para la composición de BETR-001 y ha completado la mayoría de los estudios para habilitar el IND. BetterLife planea presentar su solicitud IND e iniciar ensayos humanos en el primer semestre de 2026.
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF)는 Bloom Burton 컨퍼런스에서 비환각성 신경가소성 촉진제인 약물 후보 BETR-001의 유망한 과학 데이터를 발표했습니다. 연구 결과 BETR-001이 케타민과 비교하여 쥐 뇌 피질 신경세포에서 신경가소성을 유도하는 능력이 뛰어나며, 새로운 스파인 형성과 신경 가지 돌기의 성장이 크게 증가함을 보여주었습니다.
BETR-001은 우울증, 불안, PTSD, 외상성 뇌손상, 편두통, 신경병성 통증 등 다양한 정신 및 신경 질환 치료를 위해 개발 중입니다. 회사는 BETR-001의 조성물에 대해 USPTO 특허 보호를 확보했으며, IND 승인에 필요한 대부분의 연구를 완료했습니다. BetterLife는 2026년 상반기에 IND 신청서를 제출하고 인간 임상시험을 시작할 계획입니다.
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF) a présenté des données scientifiques prometteuses concernant son candidat-médicament BETR-001, un neuroplastogène non hallucinogène, lors de la conférence Bloom Burton. Les recherches ont montré que BETR-001 induit une neuroplasticité supérieure dans les neurones corticaux du cerveau de rat comparé à la kétamine, avec une formation significative de nouvelles épines dendritiques et une croissance accrue des dendrites neuronales.
BETR-001 est en cours de développement pour traiter diverses affections psychiatriques et neurologiques, notamment dépression, anxiété, PTSD, traumatisme crânien, migraines et douleurs neuropathiques. La société a obtenu la protection par brevet USPTO pour la composition de BETR-001 et a achevé la plupart des études nécessaires à l'IND. BetterLife prévoit de déposer sa demande IND et de lancer les essais cliniques humains au cours du premier semestre 2026.
BetterLife Pharma (BETRF) präsentierte auf der Bloom Burton Konferenz vielversprechende wissenschaftliche Daten zu seinem Wirkstoffkandidaten BETR-001, einem nicht-halluzinogenen Neuroplastogen. Die Forschung zeigte, dass BETR-001 die Neuroplastizität in kortikalen Neuronen von Rattenhirnen stärker fördert als Ketamin, mit signifikanter Bildung neuer Spines und vermehrtem dendritischem Wachstum.
BETR-001 wird zur Behandlung verschiedener psychiatrischer und neurologischer Erkrankungen entwickelt, darunter Depression, Angstzustände, PTSD, traumatische Hirnverletzungen, Migräne und neuropathische Schmerzen. Das Unternehmen hat USPTO-Patentschutz für die Zusammensetzung von BETR-001 erhalten und die meisten IND-relevanten Studien abgeschlossen. BetterLife plant, den IND-Antrag im ersten Halbjahr 2026 einzureichen und klinische Studien am Menschen zu starten.
- Demonstrated superior neuroplastogenic activity compared to ketamine in preclinical studies
- Secured USPTO patent protection for BETR-001's composition of matter
- Completed majority of IND-enabling studies
- Non-hallucinogenic and not a controlled substance, potentially easier regulatory pathway
- Broad potential therapeutic applications across multiple disorders
- Human trials not starting until H1 2026, indicating a long path to potential commercialization
- Early-stage development with only preclinical data available
- Will require significant funding for clinical trials
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB : BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development of BETR-001, a non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders, recently presented a scientific update at Bloom Burton Conference on May 5, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.
The emerging new paradigm in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders is the ability of a drug to enable the brain to rewire by growing new dendrites and spines, which enables new connections between neurons. This phenomenon is called neuroplasticity and the drug that is able to induce such an effect is called a neuroplastogen. BetterLife reported data at the Bloom Burton Conference showing that BETR-001 is a potent neuroplastogen. The figure below shows images of rat brain cortical neurons in vitro treated with either BETR-001, or ketamine (as a comparator), or no drug. Only BETR-001 treatment was able to significantly induce formation of new spines (green stain) in cultured neurons.
FIGURE: Growth of new neuronal spines in rat brain cortical neuron cultures treated with either BETR-001, ketamine or no drug.
In additional experiments, BETR-001 was also shown to significantly increase both the number and length of the neuronal dendrites, as exemplified in the data shown in the figure below.
FIGURE: Growth of new neuronal dendrites in rat brain cortical neuron cultures treated with either no drug or BETR-001.
More detailed data and background on the neuroplastogenic activity of BETR-001 can be found in the peer-reviewed publication Lewis et al., Cell Reports, 2023.
Based on its excellent neuroplasticity data, its neuroreceptor activation profile and preliminary data obtained in animal models, BETR-001 is projected to be effective in treating various psychiatric and neurological disorders including depression, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, migraines and neuropathic pain.
BETR-001 is non-hallucinogenic and not a controlled substance. BetterLife has been granted a composition of matter patent on BETR-001 by the USPTO (BetterLife press release January 14, 2025). BetterLife has had its BETR-001 pre-IND meeting with the FDA and has completed most of the required IND-enabling studies. The BETR-001 IND filing and start of human trials are projected for H1 2026.
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 neuroplastogen. BETR-001 is a non-controlled substance. BETR-001 will be developed for the treatment of various psychiatric and neurological disorders. BETR-001 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 and is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development.
For further information, please visit BetterLife Pharma.
Contact
David Melles, Investor Relations Manager
Email: David.Melles@blifepharma.com
Phone: 1-778-887-1928
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