VANCOUVER, BC, June 7, 2024 /CNW/ – Numinus Wellness Inc. (“Numinus” or the “Company”) (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF), a leader in mental health care specializing in innovative and evidence-based treatments, comments on the results of June 4, 2024 meeting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee (“PDAC”). The independent committee reviewed Lykos Therapeutics’ new drug application for MDMA (midomafetamine capsules) used in combination with psychological intervention for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). The PDAC voted against recommending approval of MDMA for PTSD in a majority decision where 2 of 11 found that the available data demonstrates MDMA’s effectiveness in PTSD patients, and one committee member found that the benefits of MDMA outweigh its risks for treating PTSD patients based on available data. The FDA is expected to decide on Lykos’ new drug application in August this year and is not bound by the PDAC’s guidance. Advisory committees, like PDAC, make non-binding recommendations to the FDA. Historically, between 2010 and 2021, the FDA approved subject treatments in 97% of cases where the committee recommended approval and in 33% of cases where the committee recommended against approval.1 There can be no assurance as to the FDA’s decision with respect to Lykos’ MDMA new drug application.
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Payton Nyquvest, Numinus Founder and CEO, commented on the decision: “While the decision of the PDAC was not the preferred outcome for many in the mental health care community, considering the dire need for an effective treatment for the millions impacted by PTSD, we understand the PDAC was acting in the best interests of patient safety and quality care. Based on the positive results from Lykos’ Phase 3 trial, which focused on adult patients, we are optimistic that once the PDAC’s specific concerns are addressed, MDMA-assisted therapy will be made available.”
“Moreover, with three psychedelic compounds in the Phase 3 clinical trial stage and a further 34 at the Phase 22 stage, the pipeline of potential mental health treatments remains strong. We are active with the developers of several of these emerging treatments and are contributing to the identification, safe administration and, ultimately, healing of individuals. For Numinus, we will continue optimizing our clinic network to increase efficiencies, build visibility, and provide excellent care. Numinus continues to execute its previously announced plan to achieve profitability with our existing operations, which were and continue not to be dependent on commercialization of new therapies such as MDMA.”
Pending the approval of new medications for the treatment of mental health conditions, Spravato® (esketamine), and ketamine continue to be available to practitioners. The Numinus US clinic network has delivered over 43,600 such treatments to patients. Through the auspices of Health Canada’s Special Access Program, Numinus clinics have also treated several patients with MDMA and psilocybin in Canada. Through Cedar Clinical Research, Numinus has conducted clinical research involving four psychedelic medicines administered through different modalities involving 50 subjects over the past 2.5 years. At the same time, our comprehensive practitioner training program prepares the Numinus team and trainees to treat patients across multiple medications and modalities, including ketamine and MDMA.
Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model – including psychedelic research and clinic care – is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society.