Neural Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: NURL) has announced the approval of 2,720,000 restricted share units (RSUs) and 725,000 stock options by its Board of Directors, reinforcing the company's commitment to advancing its ethnobotanical drug discovery platform focused on treating substance use disorders.
The Toronto-based company granted the RSUs to directors and consultants, with all units vesting immediately and expiring on December 31, 2028. Of these, 367,000 RSUs will be exercisable into common shares after September 30, 2025, while the remaining 2,353,000 can be exercised immediately. The stock options were allocated to officers, consultants, and members of Neural's Scientific Impact and Advisory Board, with all options vesting immediately and exercisable at $0.05 per share until May 13, 2028.
Strategic Corporate Development
This equity grant follows Neural's recent milestone achievements, including the completion of its Series A financing and conditional approval to list on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the ticker symbol "NURL." The company raised $518,500 in the final tranche of its Series A financing through the issuance of 17,283,329 shares at $0.03 per share.
"We are pleased to announce these key milestones and are grateful for the support of our shareholders and the dedication of our team," said Ian Campbell, CEO of Neural Therapeutics. "As Neural enters this exciting phase of development, we believe that the visibility in the public markets will be the cornerstone of our long-term value creation strategy."
The company has also extended its letter of intent with CWE European Holdings Inc. (dba Hanf.com) to March 31, 2025, indicating ongoing strategic partnership discussions.
Innovative Therapeutic Approach
Neural Therapeutics is positioning itself as a leader in ethnobotanical drug discovery, with a particular focus on developing therapeutic interventions for substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid dependence. The company's approach represents a novel direction in addiction treatment research.
The company's drug development strategy centers on the use of sub-hallucinogenic doses of mescaline extract. This approach aims to enhance safety and scalability while maintaining therapeutic efficacy—a critical balance in psychedelic medicine development.
Substance use disorders represent a significant global health challenge. According to recent statistics, alcohol use disorder affects approximately 14.5 million people in the United States alone, while opioid dependence continues to drive a public health crisis with over 2 million Americans suffering from opioid use disorder.
Market Position and Future Outlook
Neural's public listing provides the company with enhanced visibility and access to capital markets as it advances its drug development programs. The ethnobotanical drug discovery space has gained increasing attention from investors and pharmaceutical companies seeking novel approaches to treating mental health conditions.
The company's focus on sub-hallucinogenic doses potentially addresses one of the key challenges in psychedelic medicine—balancing therapeutic effect with practical administration protocols that can be integrated into mainstream healthcare systems.
As Neural Therapeutics progresses its research and development activities, the company will need to navigate the complex regulatory landscape surrounding psychedelic-based therapies. However, regulatory attitudes have been evolving, with increasing recognition of the potential therapeutic benefits of carefully developed psychedelic medicines.
The company's leadership team, strengthened through these equity grants, will be tasked with advancing Neural's scientific initiatives while building shareholder value in the emerging psychedelic medicine sector.
