Ireland’s GH Research PLC (NASDAQ: GHRS) (FRA: 1KA) soared on the markets Monday after revealing that its inhalable psychedelic drug had demonstrated “remarkable” efficacy in a clinical study for treatment-resistant depression.
This Phase 2b double-blind trial success has helped pave the way for potential FDA approval and commercial distribution success down the road.
“Patients treated with GH001 experienced a difference of -15.5 points in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score at Day 8 compared to placebo, which is truly remarkable,” a University of Pennsylvania psychiatry professor involved with the research, Michael E. Thase, said in a release from GH.
GH001 is derived from 5-MeO-DMT: a powerful naturally-occurring psychoactive substance found in the glands of certain toads and a select few plants.
This drug has also demonstrated efficacy in treating bipolar disorder and postpartum depression in women. Further studies will be assessing GH001 in these regards.
The biotech operator’s CEO, Dr. Villy Valcheva, believes the therapeutic puts her company in a unique position due to its rapid anti-depressive effects and convenient dosing regimen. This Dublin-based drug developer is also currently fine-tuning a proprietary aerosol delivery device for GH001, making it even more distinctive.
GH Research is yet to turn a profit and reported earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of negative US$48.4 million over the past year, but many analysts still have a bullish outlook for the company.
Watch List:$GHRS: GH Research Announces Primary Endpoint Met in Phase 2b Trial with GH001 in TRD Demonstrating -15.5 Point Placebo-adjusted MADRS Reduction$VNDA: Vanda Pharmaceuticals and Anaptys Announce Exclusive Global License Agreement for Vanda to Develop and…
— DekmarTrades via TradeCaster (@DekmarTrades) February 3, 2025
Read more: Optimi Health produces largest-ever batch of MDMA capsules
Read more: MindBio Therapeutics uses AI speech analysis to see if you’ve taken its LSD drug
5-MeO-DMT proves itself useful for other conditions
In addition to the above indications, the psychedelic has demonstrated its value for treating post-traumatic stress disorder in particular.
A 2023 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry found that the psychedelic provided immediate and sustained improvements in a young woman’s mental health. Her PTSD symptoms almost completely dissipated during the year after she took a vaporizer hit of the toad excretion.
Moreover, a paper published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) last year highlighted its therapeutic value, particularly when used in conjunction with ibogaine. This paper discussed how a study with 86 special forces veterans suffering from the mental health condition highlighted 5-MeO-DMT’s “rapid effects” on PTSD symptoms.
“Data suggest combined ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted therapy has the potential to provide rapid and robust changes in mental health functioning with a signal of durable therapeutic effects up to six months,” the National Center for PTSD (VA) paper specified.
Roots in Japan
Japanese scientists Toshio Hoshino and Kenya Shimodaira first synthesized the psychedelic compound in 1936. However, its widespread usage as a smokable psychoactive drug did not become prevalent until several decades later.
In 1983, a book titled Bufo Alvarius: the Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert was published.
This literary work inspired widespread intrigue about the otherworldly effects the substance could have on those who consumed it and helped encourage an increased rate of experimentation.
rowan@mugglehead.com
