Novel Compound Begins Clinical Testing For Potential Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

FSD Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:HUGE) has dosed the first subjects in its first clinical trial assessing the New Chemical Entity (NCE) Lucid-21-302, or Lucid-MS, targetting multiple sclerosis.

The biopharma company is currently developing three drug candidates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries: FSD BioSciences Inc. focuses on R&D of FSD201, a proprietary ultra-micronized PEA formulation for the treatment of inflammatory diseases; while Lucid Psycheceutical Inc. does R&D of Lucid-Psych and Lucid-MS, the former for the potential treatment of various mental health disorders and the latter for that of neurodegenerative disorders.

This Phase 1 study is set to evaluate safety and tolerability of orally-administered Lucid-MS, a patented neuroprotective compound with a novel mechanism of action for treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which has been shown to prevent myelin degradation by promoting functional recovery in a non-immunomodulatory manner in preclinical models. 

See Also: FSD Pharma's Australian Entity To Proceed With Phase I Trial For Major Depressive Disorder

Current MS treatments are immunomodulatory and include repeated subcutaneous or intramuscular injections for treating MS symptoms, Lucid Psych CEO Lakshmi Kotra explained.

The goal is to develop an oral medication that will protect or help repair myelin in the central nervous system, "a hallmark feature of the disease,” Kotra added. The dosing is the “culmination of more than a decade of very promising research” aiming to change the future treatment paradigm for patients dealing with the condition’s debilitating effects. 

More On Multiple Sclerosis

MS is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorder of the CNS involving brain and spinal cord. Symptoms are diverse, including fatigue, numbness and tingling, muscle spasms, blurred vision, dizziness, pain, mobility problems, cognitive impairment and decline, depression and anxiety.

Stats found every five minutes someone is diagnosed with MS globally, with the U.S. and Canada ranking amongst the highest countries in prevalence per capita -288 cases per 100,000 people and 250 cases per 100,000 people, respectively. 

While the average age for diagnosis is 32 years, MS can occur at any age and presents itself more frequently in females than in males (69% vs. 31%). Deaths attributed to MS are commonly caused by infection and conditions associated with advanced disability and immobility. 

There is not yet a cure for MS. Although current treatments for the condition reduce its relapse rate, there is still an unmet need to slow disease progression and address its progressive stages.

Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash