BetterLife Pharma Inc. (CSE: BETR / OTCQB: BETRF / FRA: NPAU), an emerging biotech company focused on the development and commercialization of cutting-edge treatments for mental disorders, is pleased to highlight the American College of Physician’s (“ACP”) guidelines for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (“MDD”) published recently in Annals of Internal Medicine as an article titled “Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians.”

The 2023 ACP guidelines highlight the large burden of MDD: “In the United States, more than 20% of adults experience MDD in their lifetime, with around 10% experiencing it in a given year”, and the “estimated economic burden attributable to MDD in the United States was $120 billion in 2020” while “approximately up to 70% of patients with MDD do not achieve remission and remain in the acute phase after the initial pharmacologic treatment attempt.”

“The use of psychedelics as a general treatment for widespread disorders like MDD does not seem feasible based on the treatment patterns and economic factors. We believe that our compound, BETR-001, has the potential to overcome the hurdles faced by psychedelics, making it potentially a treatment for a broader and more inclusive range of patients. BETR-001 is a non-hallucinogenic derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide (“LSD”) and covered by BetterLife’s pending patents. Based on its neuro-receptor activity profile in preclinical studies, we believe that BetterLife’s BETR-001 has significant therapeutic potential in various neuro-psychiatric disorders. Its non-hallucinogenic profile means that primary care physicians, the first line of care givers for neuro-psychiatric disorders, can prescribe its use without needing specialized clinics.”

Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife

BetterLife is also pleased to announce it has closed a non-brokered private placement pursuant to which the Company issued 2,200,000 units (“Units”) at a price of $0.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $220,000 (the “Offering”). Each Unit is comprised of one common share and warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.15 at any time up of 60 months from the closing of the Offering. The Units sold pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

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 can 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 major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and 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 is in the process of seeking strategic alternatives for further development.