Psychedelics, a class of powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and cognition, have largely been relegated to illicit recreational substances after laws in the 1960s banned their use. This class of drugs includes LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy). However, in the past 20 years, led by researchers at major universities such as Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London, there has been a renewed interest in studying these substances for their therapeutic effects. Studies have been conducted showing the potential for psychedelics to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance use disorders with effects that last longer and feature fewer side effects than their mainstream treatments.

Development of these compounds into approved medications will require sizable efforts from sponsors to not only assess these compounds for efficacy in treatment but also their abuse potential and safety. It is necessary to consider a systematic approach to abuse potential assessment that can be conducted alongside the typical CNS drug development when working on these compounds. Nonclinical safety assessments and human data from early trials can be useful to collect early on. Additionally, data from clinical studies can further characterize the therapeutic benefits of these drugs in relation to their risk of abuse and addiction.

In this live webinar upcoming on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at 10 a.m. EST (3 p.m. GMT), presenters will outline the necessary steps and considerations for development of psychedelics into medicinal therapies.

Featured speakers Sidney H. Schnoll, MD, Ph.D., Vice President of Pharmaceutical Risk Management Services at PinneyAssociates, David Heal Ph.D., DSC, FBPhS, FRSC, Executive Director of Consultancy Services and Drug Abuse Evaluation at RenaSci Ltd, and Jack E. Henningfield, Ph.D., Vice President of Research, Health Policy and Abuse Liability at PinneyAssociates will cover:

Potential for psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric conditions

Studies for assessment of abuse potential, from nonclinical to clinical

Practical application of FDA guidance on Assessment of Abuse Potential of Drugs

Regulatory timelines and abuse potential assessment

For more information about this complimentary webinar, visit Developing Psychedelics Into Medicine: Potential and Pitfalls.

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Contact:

Nima Rajan

Tel: +1 (416) 977-6555 ext 352

Email: nrajan@xtalks.com

Source: Xtalks