Nano-Cap MIRA Pharmaceuticals' Oral Ketamine Analog Shows Potential In Neuropsychiatric Disorders

MIRA Pharmaceuticals Inc MIRA announced new preclinical study results for its novel oral ketamine analog, Ketamir-2.

MIRA Pharmaceuticals is developing the next generation of oral ketamine and pharmaceutical marijuana analogs to treat neurologic neuropsychiatric disorders. 

The additional data comes as MIRA prepares to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA by the end of this year.

Ketamir-2 is under investigation for its potential to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, treatment-resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ketamir-2 has demonstrated in in vitro studies that it is not a substrate for interaction with P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This membrane protein typically pumps many drugs out of cells, including cells in the brain.

This characteristic might allow Ketamir-2 to have better oral absorption and to penetrate the blood-brain barrier more effectively than traditional ketamine, which is a substrate of P-gp.

MIRA’s preclinical research indicates that Ketamir-2 exhibits better oral bioavailability, which could ensure higher efficacy at lower doses than traditional ketamine.

MIRA previously announced that Ketamir-2’s oral bioavailability is predicted to be around 80%, significantly higher than traditional ketamine’s less than 30%.

Additionally, preclinical studies have shown that while oral Ketamir-2 has been shown to be safe at high doses and is effective in several anti-depressant and anxiolytic models, and it does not appear to induce hyper-locomotor activity, a common side effect of traditional ketamine.

Moreover, Ketamir-2 has shown no interaction with the mu-opioid receptor, unlike traditional ketamine. This could potentially mean a reduced risk of opioid-related side effects and dependency.

Recent studies further highlight Ketamir-2’s anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects in a mouse model, with significant improvements in behavioral tests compared to traditional ketamine.

MIRA has additional ongoing preclinical studies to demonstrate Ketamir-2’s potential efficacy in treating chemotherapy-induced depression and cancer-related neuropathic pain. The company is exploring options for orphan drug indications such as multiple sclerosis-induced depression and Huntington’s disease-induced depression.

Price Action: MIRA stock is up 151.20% at $1.73 at the last check on Monday.

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