RESEARCH COLLABORATION BETWEEN UCSD AND JOURNEY LIFE SCIENCES/BVE MANAGING DIRECTOR, GREG MCKEE, SHOWS PROMISE

On February 15, 2023, Ross O’Brien, Founding Managing Partner; Greg McKee, Journey Life Sciences CEO; and Derrick Mayes, Managing Partner had the opportunity to visit UC San Diego’s Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute which is a leader in the study of psychedelic and cannabinoid drugs for the treatment of a range of medical conditions.  Under the direction of Dr. Igor Grant, the Institute is conducting clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocybin, MDMA and cannabinoids for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and Diabetes.  The Institute’s research is aimed at understanding the mechanisms of action of these drugs, identifying optimal dosing and administration protocols and determining their safety and efficacy in clinical settings.  The hope is that this research will lead to the development of new, more effective treatments for these conditions and improve the lives of patients suffering from them.  

UC San Diego has been at the forefront of research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and cannabinoids for some time.  Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D, an associate professor of anesthesiology and a lead collaborator with portfolio company Journey Life Sciences, has been exploring the use of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, for the treatment of chronic pain.  In a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2020, Zeidan and his team found that psilocybin could reduce the severity of phantom limb piano, a type of chronic pain experienced by amputees.  The researchers believe that psilocybin may be able to disrupt the cycle of pain and suffering that often accompanies chronic pain, making it a promising candidate for future pain management therapies.

Along with Dr. Zeidan, Adam Halberstadt Ph.D, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, has also been investigating the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, particularly in the treatment of phantom limb pain.  In a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology in 2019, Halberstadt and his team found that a synthetic cannabinoid called WIN 55,212-2 could significantly reduce phantom limb pain in rats.  The researchers believe that cannabinoids may be able to modulate pain signals in the brain, making them a promising avenue for future pain management therapies.

This model collaboration between UC San Diego and Journey Life Sciences is a prime example of the type of research programs that BVE has underway as we continue to find ways to lead and support academic institutions and entrepreneurs in developing this new therapeutic class of compounds.

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