With behavioral addition on the rise and reaching an all-time high, Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (NEO: AWKN) (OTCQB: AWKNF) (FSE: 954) (‘Awakn’), a biotechnology company that is into researching, developing, and commercializing addiction-treating therapeutic, announced their  filing of a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application. This PCT is aiming to assist in the treatment of behavioral addictions with ketamine and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. 

The successful completion of Awakn’s behavioral addictions study was announced last week, which paves the way for the patent filing. The pilot study thoroughly investigated ketamine as a potential new treatment approach for behavioral addictions.  Some of these addictions include: Gambling Disorders, Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorders, and Binge Eating Disorders. The data provided from this study was used in the patent filing.

The Patent Cooperation Treaty covers all behavioral addictions or any recognized disorder or condition with similar compulsive symptoms to those analyzed in the addiction study. The patent claims, if granted, would give Awakn the exclusive rights to use ketamine and ketamine-assisted therapy for the treatment of behavioral addictions. 

As of now, there is no effective pharmacological treatment currently, and Awakn is looking to bridge this gap through the use of ketamine. With the study results and patent filing, Awakn is now positioned at the forefront of the industry right as the rates of behavioral addictions are increasing drastically. Awakn is looking to give those afflicted with a behavioral addiction a standard treatment option in a sector where there are limited options and most of the available ones deliver poor outcomes.

Awakn’s pilot study showed promising results, as some participants showed a reduction in their symptoms while some no longer met the criteria for diagnosis. Some participants also showed a reduction in the symptoms of a comorbid psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety. The study results also showed that the treatment was well tolerated without any safety concerns.

Awakn CEO, Anthony Tennyson, said the following:

“Today’s news demonstrates our focus on researching, developing, and commercializing therapeutics to treat the condition. A core part of our efforts is to continually strengthen our IP portfolio as we work to bring effective therapies to chronic addiction sufferers in desperate need. To forging a path to find an effective treatment for such a vast unmet medical need is critical and an effort we are very proud to be a part of.”

With the current poor standard of care for behavioral addiction, Awakn’s patent will be a beacon of hope to those in need of assistance.

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