PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. announced that it has received the first office action from the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filing for the company's novel PharmAla-1 (P-1) molecule. The filing for P-1 showed the molecule to be novel, with no previous Prior Art shown; It was also found to be inventive, due to the beneficial toxicology of P-1 compared to similar molecules, as shown by preclinical rodent model data generated by the laboratory of Prof. William Fantegrossi at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. PharmAla-1 was first discovered through computational in-silico modelling exercises via PharmAla Biotech's partnership with the University of Windsor, for which PharmAla has also received a grant from the Ontario Centres for Innovation.

Proof-of-concept testing for P-1 showed significant efficacy and pro- social effect at dosage levels far lower than MDMA, PharmAla's primary comparator molecule, as well as excellent safety pharmacology. P-1 is not considered a controlled substance anywhere in the world.