Clearmind Medicine Inc. (Nasdaq: CMND), a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics, has announced the publication of a patent by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) for its innovative combination therapy targeting cocaine addiction.
The patent covers the company's combination of MEAI (5-methoxy-2-aminoindane) and N-Acylethanolamines, which has shown promising results in preclinical trials for treating cocaine addiction. This marks an important step in Clearmind's global intellectual property strategy, which currently includes nineteen patent families with 31 granted patents.
Promising Preclinical Results
The patent is based on research conducted by Professor Gal Yadid and his team at the Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. The preclinical studies demonstrated that animals treated with MEAI exhibited a significant reduction in cocaine-induced cravings.
Further research explored whether MEAI's effects were specific to drug-seeking behavior or if they impacted natural reward systems. The findings were particularly encouraging, showing that while MEAI effectively reduced cocaine-seeking behavior in rats, it did not impair their response to natural rewards such as sucrose.
"This distinction is crucial," explained Professor Yadid in previous communications about the research. "It suggests that MEAI's impact on drug cravings is specifically targeted at drug-related compulsions rather than affecting the general reward system, which is fundamental for survival across species."
Strategic Collaboration with SciSparc
The patent publication is part of Clearmind's ongoing collaboration with SciSparc Ltd. (Nasdaq: SPRC), a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for central nervous system disorders. This partnership aims to combine Clearmind's MEAI, a novel proprietary psychedelic treatment for addiction and mental health, with SciSparc's PEA (palmitoylethanolamide).
The collaboration represents a strategic approach to developing new treatments for addiction, particularly cocaine addiction, which remains a significant global health challenge with limited effective treatment options.
Addressing Unmet Medical Needs
Cocaine addiction affects millions worldwide, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse reporting that approximately 2 million Americans used cocaine in the past month. Current treatment options are limited, with no FDA-approved medications specifically for cocaine addiction.
Psychedelic-derived therapeutics represent an emerging approach to addiction treatment. MEAI's mechanism appears to target the specific neurological pathways involved in drug cravings without disrupting natural reward systems, potentially offering a more targeted approach than existing therapies.
Global Patent Strategy
The South Korean patent publication adds to Clearmind's growing international intellectual property portfolio. The company has filed multiple patent applications in the U.S. and other global jurisdictions for this combination therapy.
"Our intellectual property strategy is designed to protect our innovative approaches to treating addiction and mental health conditions globally," said a Clearmind representative. "The publication of this patent in South Korea represents another important milestone in our efforts to develop novel treatments for addiction."
About Clearmind Medicine
Clearmind Medicine is focused on the discovery and development of psychedelic-derived therapeutics to address widespread and underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. The company's primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based compounds and commercialize them as regulated medicines, foods, or supplements.
Clearmind's shares are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol "CMND" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "CWY0."
Future Outlook
While the patent publication represents a significant milestone, the company acknowledges that the path to commercialization involves additional clinical trials and regulatory approvals. Clearmind continues to advance its research and development efforts while seeking to expand its intellectual property portfolio.
The company remains focused on addressing major under-treated health problems through novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics, with cocaine addiction representing one of several potential applications for its proprietary compounds and combinations.
