• The LSD based drug will be used to treat chronic cluster headaches occurring on one side of the head or over the eye.
• These trials will be conducted in collaboration with Liechti Lab, University of Basil. Phase 1 trials for the drug are already underway.

It has recently been announced that Mind Medicine Inc. will be collaborating with Liechti Lab at University Hospital Basel, on Phase 2 clinical trials of LSD for treating cluster headaches. The Phase 1 clinical trials for the same have already begun with several patients already recruited into the program. This will be a randomized, double-blind, cross over study and phase 2 trials will investigate the effects of LSD in 30 patients compared with placebo.

MindMed is a neuro-pharmaceutical company that works on psychedelic inspired medicines and has previously formed an R&D collaboration with Liechti Lab – a global clinical laboratory for LSD at the University Hospital, Basel to analyze therapeutic uses of next generation of psychedelics. Dr. Mathias Liechti is the current principal investigator for this trial.

Cluster headaches, or in other words “suicide headaches” are one of the most painful conditions ailing mankind. This pain can last for numerous weeks or months and usually occurs above an eye or on one side of the head. Up until now, there is only non-clinical evidence that suggests LSD can be used to abort or decrease the frequency of these types of attacks. There is currently a need for new treatment in this domain as the current medication available often mismanages attack periods.

On the phase 2 approval of these trials, JR Rahn, MindMed Co-CEO and Co-Founder said that he was encouraged to bring the treatment of cluster headaches through LSD out of the shadows. He also said that they were testing the efficacy of this drug on clinical research standards with Liechti Lab.

This collaboration will test the commercial feasibility of this drug, and on favorable results, the company will look for an FDA approval. MindMed hopes that treatments for this illness might qualify under the Orphan Drug Designation and that the drug is eligible for development incentives through the FDA.

MindMed and Liechti Lab hope to develop a more targeted approach for the treatment of cluster headaches through these trials. MindMed will be having access to all the data generated for cluster headaches.

Source Credits: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phase-2-clinical-trial-of-lsd-for-suicide-headaches-begins-treating-patients-301071869.html