New Psychedelic Therapy AKO004 Under Development by Akome
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A new psychedelic drug formulation called AKO004 is now under development by Akome Biotech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Core One Labs, as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
The company has filed a provisional patent application for AKO004 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The AKO004 formulation comprises N, N-dimethyltryptamine, known as DMT, and a naturally occurring plant bioactive. According to the company, preliminary research suggests that AKO004 may play a neuroprotective role in the brain that possibly may preserve nerve function in Parkinson’s patients.
“Cellular reprogramming has been very progressive over the last decade. Akome’s AKO0004 drug formulation presents strong indication as a viable candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,” Joel Shacker, CEO of Core One Labs, said in a press release.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition caused by the progressive death of nerve cells located in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. Several treatment options are available to provide relief of disease-related symptoms. However, there still is no cure, and efficient therapies that can significantly halt the progression of Parkinson’s are lacking.
Akome’s new therapy candidate, AKO004, is a psychedelic formulation made up of DMT, which, data show, can induce a rapid and intense “DMT trip” characterized by visual hallucinations. Known as the spirit molecule because of its effects, DMT is a psychedelic compound found in many plants and animals. However, it also can be produced synthetically.
Psychedelics such as DMT are strong substances that can change perception, mood, and cognitive processes. DMT produces its intense hallucinations by triggering serotonergic receptors in the brain. However, psychedelics are usually considered safe and do not lead to addiction.
Currently, DMT has no approved medical use in the U.S. However, in the U.K., a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT04673383) is investigating the compound’s safety, tolerability, and efficacy for the treatment of depression.
Core One Labs states that its initial findings have shown AKO004 is safe and efficient. The formulation is reported to act as an anti-oxidant and decrease neurodegeneration. Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a reaction that can produce toxic reactive species that may damage cells. In addition, initial data analysis suggests that AKO004 may preserve neuron structure and/or function in the brain.
Akome is a biotechnology research company that was acquired by Core One Labs in May 2021. The company is focused on developing psychedelic medicines for the treatment of mental health and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ischemic stroke, and depression.
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