TORONTO and CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wesana Health Holdings Inc. (“Wesana” or the “Company”) (CSE: WESA; OTCQB: WSNAF), an emerging data driven life sciences company focused on developing innovative approaches for better understanding, protecting and improving neurological health and performance, including through the advancement of psychedelic medicines, today announced the addition of distinguished psychedelics researcher and professor, Rachel Yehuda, PhD, to its Scientific Advisory Board. In this role, Dr. Yehuda will provide strategic guidance and direction to Wesana’s scientific research efforts related to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Dr. Yehuda has been at the vanguard of trauma research and treatment for over three decades. She is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director of The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mount Sinai, which will further research MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and other psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies with compounds such as psilocybin to treat trauma. She is also Director of the Traumatic Stress Studies Division at Icahn Mount Sinai which includes the PTSD clinical research program.
On her appointment, Dr. Yehuda said, “The research of novel treatment approaches for trauma and other mental health conditions through psychedelics may fundamentally change our understanding of these conditions, as well as the current treatment landscape. For that to happen though, the research must be held to the highest possible standard. As part of Wesana’s Scientific Advisory Board, I look forward to offering my guidance and experience on this front as they explore ways to improve neurological health.”
“Dr. Yehuda has led federally-funded research programs that have revolutionized the current understanding and treatment of trauma and has been a driving force in the current FDA trials to study MDMA as a psychedelic therapy. Her knowledge, understanding, and guidance will be invaluable as we accelerate our efforts to research and develop treatments for TBI and other debilitating neurological ailments,” said Daniel Carcillo, co-founder and CEO of Wesana Health.
“Wesana is committed to building a team of the very best advisors, thinkers and leaders to ensure that we are operating at the highest possible level in scientific and psychedelic research and development. As a global expert in her field, Dr. Yehuda will play an important leadership role as we continue to execute on our strategic research goals,” said Chad Bronstein, co-founder and Executive Chairman.
Dr. Yehuda has authored more than 450 published papers, chapters, and books in the field of traumatic stress and the neurobiology of PTSD. She received her PhD in Psychology and Neurochemistry and her MS in Biological Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and completed her postdoctoral training in Biological Psychiatry in the Psychiatry Department at Yale Medical School.
Dr. Yehuda receives financial compensation as a scientific advisor for Wesana Health.
About Wesana
Wesana is an emerging life sciences company championing the development and delivery of psychedelic and naturally-sourced therapies to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI). Through extensive clinical research and academic partnerships, Wesana is developing evidence-based formulations and protocols that empower patients to overcome neurological, psychological and mental health ailments caused by trauma.
Learn more at www.wesanahealth.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws with respect to the Company, including, but not limited to, information concerning the anticipated timing for receipt of results from the anxiety and depression study described above and the anticipated timing for commencement and conclusion of the Pivotal Study described above. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, "will”, “projects”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events, results or conditions “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Except for statements of historical fact, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made including among other things assumptions about: research and development costs remaining consistent with budgets; favorable operating conditions; political and regulatory stability; obtaining and maintaining all required licenses and permits; receipt of governmental approvals and permits; sustained labor stability; the ability of the Company to be successful in its research and development initiatives; and the availability of third party service providers and other inputs for the Company’s operations. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual performance, achievements, actions, events, results or conditions to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.
Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, financial position, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, financial position, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: research and development of drugs targeting the central nervous system being particularly difficult; delivering data from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies; competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies; reliance on third parties to plan, conduct and monitor preclinical studies and clinical trials; negative results from pre-clinical and clinical trials or studies of others; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; not achieving publicly announced milestones; reliance on the capabilities and experience of key executives and scientists; disruptions due to acquisitions or collaborations; risk of product liability claims; COVID-19; litigation; conflicts of interest; limited operating history; exposure to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates; ability to protect intellectual property; changes in patent law; requirements to share intellectual property with service providers; general economic, market and business conditions, other risks factors including those found in the Company’s Listing Statement dated May 6, 2021 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and discussed in the Company’s other public filings available on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided and made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact:
Nick Opich / Annie Graf
KCSA Strategic Communications
Email: Wesana@kcsa.com
Phone: 212-896-1206 / 786-390-2644
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
Daniel Carcillo, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (773) 236-7972
