This technology describes a distinct class of ibogaine analogs created by chemical synthesis that maintains the pharmacological benefits of ibogaine with reduced cardiac adverse effects.
Ibogaine, an alkaloid extracted from the West Central Africa native iboga shrub, is commonly used for its psychedelic functions, including its ability to disrupt maladaptive habits and trigger memory recall. As such, there is interest in developing these compounds as a therapeutic for substance use and psychiatric disorders, of which treatment options are currently limited. However, these compounds present a cardiac safety risk and are structurally complex, creating the need for a safer, simpler analog for pharmacological use. Given the large unmet need in the treatment of substance use and psychiatric disorders, there is a strong need for the development of new analogs to increase ibogaine's safety and therapeutic index for the treatment of such diseases.
This technology describes the synthesis of oxa-iboga, a class of ibogaine analogs that can help reduce long-term addiction to opioids such as morphine, heroin, and fentanyl. Oxa-ibogas have also shown promise in the reversal of pain sensitivity caused by opioids and curbing opioid drug-seeking behavior in rodent models of addiction and relapse. Importantly, oxa-ibogas do not induce arrhythmias, a cardiac adverse effect that ibogaine is known to trigger, making this technology a safer alternative. This technology, therefore, has significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of substance use disorders, mood disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders.
This technology has been validated in rodent models of addiction and relapse, as well as in human cardiomyocytes.
Patent Pending (US20230382919)
IR CU24362
Licensing Contact: Jerry Kokoshka