IntelGenx Corp. (IGX.TO) on Thursday provided an update on its collaboration with its strategic partner, Atai Life Sciences (atai) for the development of novel formulations of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelics based on IntelGenx’s polymeric film technologies.

Under the first of two current feasibility agreements between the companies, IntelGenx conducted pre-development, formulation development work and clinical supply manufacturing to provide a product prototype to Atai for further clinical investigation. The previously undisclosed candidate, buccal VLS-01, is a buccal film containing a synthetic form of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Atai is developing the product as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) along with Atai’s digital therapeutic designed to provide contextual “(mind)set-and-setting” support to patients before dosing.

“We were very pleased with Atai’s recent announcement that it had dosed the first subject in its Phase 1 clinical trial of buccal VLS-01, with topline results expected in H1 2023. The initiation of this first-in-human study of a pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic buccal film drug candidate represents the achievement of another major milestone for IntelGenx.”

Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, CEO of IntelGenx