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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development and commercialization of cutting-edge treatments for mental disorders, today announced that one of its scientific collaborators, Dr. Argel Aguilar-Valles from Carleton University’s Department of Neuroscience (Ottawa, Canada), will present on the anti-depressant activity of 2-bromo-LSD (“BETR-001”), the Company’s lead compound, at the upcoming ACNP Conference being held December 4 to 7 at Phoenix, Arizona, USA. BETR-001 is a non-hallucinogenic Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (“LSD”) derivative molecule. Dr. Aguilar-Valles will present preclinical data supporting the acute and long-term anti-depressant activity of BETR-001 monotherapy in animal models. Furthermore, the data shows that BETR-001 promotes structural neuroplasticity in brain neurons and this effect is partly mediated by the activation of 5-HT2A receptor. Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife commented, “BETR-001 is a uniquely positioned LSD derivative with the potential to be as effective as LSD in various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders without the burden of being hallucinogenic. Because of its non-hallucinogenic nature, BETR-001 will not have all the LSD requirements of administration in specialized clinics under special treatment protocols, the LSD controlled substance regulatory issues which impact manufacturing, distribution and patient access, and the overall associated high treatment costs for all these parameters. Additionally, BETR-001 is protected by BetterLife’s composition, method-of-use, synthesis and formulation patents (issued and provisional).” He further added, “BETR-001 IND-enabling studies are being completed and we hope to IND and begin human trials by mid-2023.” 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 and non-controlled LSD derivative in development and it is unique in that it is unregulated and, therefore, could be self-administered. BetterLife’s synthesis patent for BETR-001 eliminates regulatory hurdles and its pending patent for composition and method of use covers treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, 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 such as COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections. For further information, please visit BetterLife Pharma. About the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University Carleton Neuroscience has an international reputation for research on stress and its effects on brain functioning and mental health. The department has an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the emergence, prevention and treatment of mental and physical disorders. For more information, please visit www.carleton.ca/neuroscience.