A Drug That Mimics Alcohol Buzz Is Bound For Human Trials: Here's What's Next

Israeli biotech Clearmind Medicine Inc. CMND has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA towards approval to commence its first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical trial with MEAI-based CMND-100 in patients diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). 

The active ingredient in proprietary CMND-100 is MEAI (5-methoxy-2-aminoindane), a novel psychoactive molecule that has been reported to reduce the desire to consume alcohol while producing a euphoric alcohol-like experience. 

See also: Next-Generation Psychedelics: The Case Of MEAI And Its Potential To Treat Addiction

MEAI was found to interact with the serotonergic receptors 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B. The serotonergic system is considered to play a key role in the regulation of alcohol intake, reward, preference and dependence. 

The molecule apparently also interacts with the alpha-2-adrenergic receptors α2A, α2B and α2C and the plasma membrane monoamine transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT), all believed to participate in mediating alcohol drinking behavior.

"From studies with MEAI, we believe it has the potential to break the vicious drinking cycle at the point of the decision to drink more alcohol, by potentially innervating neural pathways that lead to sensible behavior," explained CEO Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani. 

Alcohol Use Disorder by the numbers: Nearly 28 million people over 18 in the U.S. struggled with alcohol use in 2020. People between 18 and 25, or 5.2 million struggled with AUD as compared to 10.3%, or 2.4 million over 25.

Pending regulatory approval, Clearmind plans to begin the CMND-100 clinical trial in the second quarter of 2023.

Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by Pexels.