Source: Center for Disease Control – A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2020
  • A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that about 1 in 36 children was identified on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2020, an increase from 1 in 44 children in 2018 and 1 in 150 children in 2000
  • Nova Mentis (NOVA) is the first company in the world to conduct a human trial testing the efficacy of psilocybin on adults diagnosed with fragile X syndrome, the leading genetic cause of ASD
  • Nova Mentis is the first company in the world to conduct a human trial testing the efficacy of psilocybin on adults diagnosed with FXS, the leading genetic cause of ASD
  • Nova Mentis (NOVA) stock is up 10 per cent this month and opened trading at $0.055 per share

A new study found that autism is on the rise among young children.

The report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that about 1 in 36 children was identified on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2020. This number is a notable increase from a prevalence of 1 in 44 children in 2018 and 1 in 150 children in 2000.

This is where Nova Mentis (CSE:NOVA) fits in. It is the first company in the world to conduct a human trial testing the efficacy of psilocybin on adults diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading genetic cause of ASD.

“Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the world. Sadly, many families are struggling to find therapeutic solutions that actually work and are searching for new options to help improve the cognitive and behavioural symptoms associated with the disorder,” stated Dr. Marvin S. Hausman MD, Chairman of NOVA’s Scientific Advisory Board. “We believe psilocybin therapy has the potential to be a significant advancement in ASD health care. Specifically, the combination of new therapies with current advancements in AI and machine learning creates a diagnostic and therapeutic environment that can result in a major transformation in medical research, drug discovery and public health outcomes.”

Nova Mentis is the first company in the world to conduct a human trial testing the efficacy of psilocybin on adults diagnosed with FXS, the leading genetic cause of ASD. In December 2022, the company was given the green light from Health Canada to proceed with the first-ever Phase IIA clinical trial assessing repetitive, oral microdose psilocybin therapy for FXS. The company intends to validate behavioural testing with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker technology, as well as machine learning artificial intelligence.

So far, the company has completed production of pharmaceutical grade cGMP synthetic psilocybin 1.5 mg microdose capsules that will be used to advance the research and development steps needed for successful drug regulatory approval and future commercialization.

Nova Mentis Life Science is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on diagnostics and psilocybin-based therapeutics for neuroinflammatory disorders.

Nova Mentis (NOVA) stock is up 10 per cent this month and opened trading at $0.055 per share.

More From The Market Online
The visiting team, composed of geologists and geochemists, was led by Professor Seo Jeong-hoon from the Department of Geology at Seoul National University.

Global geologists visit Almonty tungsten mine in South Korea

A team of geologists from around the world visited Almonty Industries’ (TSX:AII) Sangdong Tungsten mine in South Korea this week.
Cannabis Report image of farmed cannabis plants

The Market Online’s Weekly Cannabis Report – Sept. 6, 2024

Trulieve Cannabis and Tilray Brands top the list of the latest news in The Market Online's Weekly Cannabis Report.
Two pieces of a puzzle fitting together with image of two people shaking hands in background

Founders Metals plans to acquire 51% of Antino Gold Project

Founders Metals (TSXV:FDR) reveals it will exercise its right to acquire 51 per cent of the Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname.