Emyria Secures Local MDMA to Start PTSD Trial Dosing
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
21 Sep 2023 ASX Announcement
07 Mar 2023
Emyria Secures Local MDMA to Start PTSD Trial Dosing
HIGHLIGHTS
Emyria has secured a supply of locally-available MDMA, pivotal for initiating dosing for its
ethics approved MDMA-assisted therapy (‘MDMA-AT’) trial.
Results from a second Phase 3 clinical trial released last week by MAPS underscore the
efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (‘PTSD’). 1
Recent acquisition of the Pax Centre prepares Emyria with a unique combination of
specialist oversight, state-of-the-art facilities, and data capture capabilities to deliver and
evaluate MDMA-AT. 2
Emyria to provide essential data to the national patient registry led by the Australian
National University (‘ANU’). 3
Emyria Limited (ASX: EMD) (“Emyria”, or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has secured
a locally-available supply of MDMA through a collaboration with Mind Medicine Australia
(‘MMA’) and the Australian National University (‘ANU’). This supply ensures the timely
commencement of Emyria's ethics-approved MDMA-assisted therapy (‘MDMA-AT’) trial
(EMDMA-001) while awaiting a comprehensive shipment from Canada.
Dr. Michael Winlo, CEO of Emyria, commented: "With our recent milestones, including the Pax
Centre acquisition 2, our team's training, and ethics approval 4, MDMA supply was the final
component. We are grateful to MMA and the ANU for their support in securing an immediately
available initial supply which ensures we can continue progress while we wait for our
subsequent larger shipment from Canada pending approval from Health Canada. 5”
The call for more effective PTSD treatments in Australia is underlined by compelling statistics.
Approximately 1 million Australians develop PTSD annually, with around 400,000 potentially
suitable for MDMA-AT. 6
Recently released results from a second Phase 3 clinical trial on MDMA-AT for PTSD undertaken
by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (‘MAPS’) 1 further affirm the
treatment's potential and the outcomes of the first trial disclosed in May 2021 7:
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86.5% of participants in the MDMA therapy group noted improved symptoms.
71.2% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD following treatment.
A significant portion of the second study participants were from diverse backgrounds
illustrating the broader generalisability of the treatment.
Reported side effects of the treatment, including muscle tightness and nausea, were in
line with expectations, and challenges like suicidal ideation were observed at rates
comparable to the placebo group.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 Sep 2023
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The proactive regulatory environment in Australia, combined with Emyria's readiness,
places the Company in a favourable global position.
Emyria's recent acquisition of the Pax Centre underscores the Company’s dedication to
comprehensive patient-centred care. Emyria’s broader mental health footprint combined
with the Company’s capabilities in robust data capture and research excellence positions
the Company to lead in both clinical delivery and drug development. Central to Emyria’s
mission is the belief in the importance of data-driven insights to shape the future of
healthcare.
The School of Medicine at the Australian National University is spearheading a novel
patient registry in Australia. 3 This registry aims to gauge the effectiveness and safety of
psychedelic substances when used therapeutically for severe mental health conditions,
including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will aggregate and
analyse real-world data from clinical practice involving MDMA and psilocybin. Emyria is
committed to contributing to this work and anticipates that the trial results from
EMDMA-001 will offer crucial insights to the registry and set a benchmark for future
studies.
Professor Paul Fitzgerald, from the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, said;
"Australia's approach to regulated psychedelic use is unique and forward-thinking. Our
collaboration with Emyria will help us to expand our knowledge base, capturing insights
beyond the controlled environment of clinical trials. This partnership aims to deepen our
understanding of the real-world impact of these therapies."
Chair and Co-Founder of Mind Medicine Australia 8, Peter Hunt AM, stated, "A primary
mission at MMA is to catalyse and support research into the potential of psychedelic
medicines to address unmet needs in mental health treatments. We're pleased to assist
Emyria and believe that collaborative efforts like these position Australia at the forefront
of global advancements in mental health research."
Timeline of Key Events:
Emyria Australia’s Office of
Drug Control (ODC)
approves importation of
MDMA from Canada
Emyria executes MDMA
supply agreement with
PharmAla
Emyria secures MDMA for
~70 patients. Import
process to commence once
Australia's Office of Drug
Control (ODC) provides
approval for importation.
08 June
2023
13 February
2023
Emyria receives Ethics
Approval for
MDMA-assisted therapy
trial (EMDMA-001)
Ethics approval allows
Emyria to apply for import
permit from the ODC.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 Sep 2023
Import permit provided to
Health Canada. Now waiting
for approval from Health
Canada in order to
commence export of MDMA
into Australia.
12 July
2023
21 September
2023
Emyria secures a local-source of MDMA
to allow dosing commencement for
MDMA-AT trial
While waiting for Health Canada
approval, Emyria obtains locally-available
MDMA to allow patient dosing to
commence for Emyria’s ethics approved
trial, noting there is no guarantee that
Emyria will be able to obtain approval
from Health Canada
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RECENT TRACTION & UPCOMING MILESTONES
CLINICAL DELIVERY
Advanced mental health care
THERAPY DEVELOPMENT
MDMA-inspired Medicines
Ultra-Pure Cannabinoids
First patent family filed
Preclinical Screening
Program for Pain (RX7)
US-focused
preclinical program
Formulation optimisation
(RX7 > RX9)
Expand treatment
offerings
Metabolic studies
AUS Commercial partner
(RX5)
Authorised Prescriber
approvals
Preclinical animal models
US Commercial partners
Expansion of clinical
footprint
Lead selection
Phase 3 conclusion (RX5)
Engagement with
payers
Phase 1 trials
Phase 1 (RX7 & RX9)
Leverage data platform
Global commercial strategy
FDA Pre-IND (RX7 & RX9)
Acquisition of leading
psychological trauma service
Commencement of
MDMA-assisted therapy
References:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Mitchell, J.M., et al. MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized,
placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nat Med (2023)
See ASX release 13 September 2023
https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/registry-to-inform-use-of-psychedelic-based-therapy
-for-depression-and-ptsd
See ASX release 08 June 2023
See ASX release 13 February 2023
See Emyria Company Update 06 September 2023
Mitchell, J.M., et al. MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nat Med 27, 1025–1033 (2021)
Mind Medicine Australia (MMA) is a registered charity set up to develop the ecosystem in
Australia so that psychedelic-assisted therapies can become an available option for
patients suffering from key classes of mental illness. https://mindmedicineaustralia.org.au/
This release has been approved by the Managing Director of Emyria.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Dr. Michael Winlo
Managing Director
+61 (0) 8 6559 2800
mwinlo@emyria.com
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 Sep 2023
Sara Polanski
Communication Manager
+61 (0) 404 110 099
media@emyria.com
Sufian Ahmad
Corporate Advisor
+61 (0) 412 316 162
info@62capital.com.au
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ABOUT EMYRIA | emyria.com
Emyria Limited is a clinical services and drug development company with a focus on
revolutionising patient outcomes in neuroscience and mental health via:
○
Clinical Service Delivery: With Emerald Clinics, and the recent acquisition of the Pax
Centre, a leading psychological trauma center, Emyria delivers evidence-based and
generates
emerging therapies for mental health and other unmet needs.
○
Proprietary Real-World Data (RWD): Through its advanced data platform powered by
Palantir, Emyria collects robust and ethically-sourced Real-World Data to improve its
care models and support its distinct therapy and drug development initiatives.
informs
○
Drug Discovery & Development: Guided by its RWD, Emyria is developing several
proprietary Ultra-Pure cannabinoid dose forms and advancing them towards
registration. In parallel, we are establishing one of the world's largest libraries of
MDMA-like compounds in partnership with the University of Western Australia.
●
EMYRIA’S INTERACTIVE INVESTOR HUB
Investorhub.emyria.com Interact with Emyria’s announcements and updates by asking
questions and comments, which our team can respond to where possible.
ABOUT The Pax Centre | paxcentre.com.au
The Pax Centre specialises in treating individuals grappling with the psychological impacts of
traumatic experiences. Our treatment approach is highly personalised, addressing a wide range of
mental health issues, from PTSD and depression to anxiety disorders and substance abuse, often
stemming from various life traumas.
Complex trauma, characterised by repeated, relational traumatic events often occurring during
developmental stages, requires specialised attention due to its pervasive and lasting impact. In these
cases, The Pax Centre prioritises early diagnosis and evidence-based treatments.
We also focus on proactive strategies for health expansion and personal growth, empowering our
clients with skills and tools to improve wellbeing and performance. At the Pax Centre, we believe in
transforming lives through focused, evidence-based mental health care
ABOUT Emerald Clinics | emeraldclinics.com.au
Emerald Clinics is an Australian-based, patient-centric clinical service specialising in providing
treatments for patients with complex and chronic conditions, where traditional therapies might not
have yielded satisfactory results.
Leveraging our deep expertise with unregistered medicines, such as cannabinoids, we strive to
pioneer and personalise care for our patients. Our robust, ethically-sourced data collection methods
underpin our commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare innovation.
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Any statements in this press release about future
expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, the Company’s strategy, future operations, and other statements
containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,”
“will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including:
the Company’s ability to successfully develop its product candidates and timely complete its planned clinical programs and the
Company’s ability to obtain marketing approvals for its product candidates. In addition, the forward-looking statements
included in this press release represents the Company’s views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent
events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the
date hereof.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 Sep 2023
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