Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services, a global contract research organization, recently received approval from Health Canada via an amendment to its controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer’s License to investigate several controlled psychedelic and psychostimulant drugs, as well as pain management drugs.
 
This includes but is not limited to psilocybin, psilocin, ketamine, LSD, methamphetamines, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, and DMT.
 
“This initiative is a natural progression building and diversifying our portfolio of licenses including our Institution-Wide Cannabis Research License and Cage Level Security License. We are pleased to continue supporting our current and future clients in the areas of pharmaceutical development with botanical agents, psychedelics, and opioid alternatives,” Joshua Baisley, vice president of clinical design and delivery, said.
 
Nutrasource can conduct early-stage clinical studies, which includes bioavailability/bioequivalence studies and proof of concept studies on many novel controlled substances in Canada.
 
The company reports that social, political, economic, and regulatory paradigm shifts emerging in several jurisdictions have led to a surge in research on controlled drugs and substances, resulting in an increased interest from pharma and biotech industries in alternatives to opioids and drugs of abuse, as well as other agents related to the central nervous system and neurology. The research most sought after for the latter category is applicable for anxiety, mood, depression, Alzheimer’s, and pain management.
 
Nutrasource’s Security Level 5 License in particular allows the company to conduct clinical trials for safety, tolerability, characterization, and efficacy for controlled drugs and substances.
 
“Working with sponsors in the natural health product industry, we often see a transition into the pharmaceutical space as an avenue for innovation. Obtaining this license further fulfills Nutrasource’s mission of helping health companies launch scientifically-substantiated products and aligns with our expanded pharmaceutical regulatory services,” Tania john, vice president of NHP and pharmaceutical regulatory services, said. “Ultimately, this higher level of security allows us to better serve our clinical and regulatory clients, including those interested or already in the controlled drugs and substances sector.”