Emyria and University of Western Australia expand MDMA analogue collaboration

Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) and its partner the University of Western Australia (UWA) will substantially expand their collaboration to develop novel MDMA analogues with the potential to become treatments for major unmet needs.

Under the expanded agreement, Emyria will provide an additional $450,000 to UWA and Dr Matt Piggott’s research group over the next 12 months.

Looking ahead, the additional investment is expected to accelerate compound synthesis and screening through team expansion, specialist materials, equipment and software as well as commercialisation of the library via multiple patent family filings.

“Very productive”

Emyria managing director Dr Michael Winlo said: “Emyria’s partnership with UWA has been very productive.

“We’re proud to continue our support of the development, commercialisation and translation of this promising and unique compound library developed by Professor Matt Piggott and his team.

“Initial screening results have been very positive. In a short timeframe, we have identified several promising lead drug candidates which we are now advancing to preclinical screening.

“This additional funding will help us further expand the library and build a strong patent and translational strategy with our global team.

“This MDMA partnership is a core part of Emyria’s growing drug development pipeline and complements our ultra-pure cannabinoid program led by EMD-RX5.

“I look forward to updating the market as we advance against our development milestones in the coming months.”

Next-Gen MDMA like medicine.

MDMA analogue program

The MDMA analogue program is a key pillar of Emyria’s drug development pipeline, providing exclusive access to promising new compounds with potential such as:

The initial novel library of more than 100 unique compounds has been developed by a highly regarded research group led by expert medicinal chemist Dr Matt Piggott, who has been working with MDMA analogues, and exploring their therapeutic potential, for in excess of 10 years.

UWA Professor Matt Piggott said: “Emyria’s clinical development expertise, funding and international networks have taken our MDMA analogue research to the next level.

“We have already identified hits for new disease indications as a result of the screening program this collaboration has enabled.

“We are excited at the prospect of translating these findings to the clinic, where they can improve quality of life for patients with unmet needs.”

Advanced to preclinical models

To date, 85 compounds have been successfully screened with several compounds being prepared for preclinical testing to determine their therapeutic potential

Positive initial results reveal that 82 of the first 85 compounds screened by Eurofins show no signs of off-target effects.

Subsequently, these compounds have advanced to preclinical models while additional compounds are being synthesised and prepared for screening with support from a global team of advisors.