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NUMI and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation Announce Collaboration Agreement to Seek Approval of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD

Numinus and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation announce collaboration agreement to seek approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD single-arm, open-label trial

First-of-its-kind trial in Canada will pave the way for expanded MDMA-assisted treatment to support patients with posttraumatic stress disorder

VANCOUVER (December 2, 2020) – Numinus Wellness Inc. (“Numinus” or the “Company”) (TSXV: NUMI), a company creating an ecosystem of health solutions centered around developing and supporting the safe, evidence-based, accessible use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), are pleased to announce a non-exclusive collaboration agreement that will seek approval to deliver MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through a single-arm, open-label, compassionate access1 trial. This clinical trial will be the first-of-its-kind in Canada and will take a meaningful step in furthering the accessibility of MDMA-assisted treatment options for those experiencing PTSD around the world.

Through the completion of six Phase 2 trials and ongoing Phase 3 trials, MAPS and MAPS PBC have undertaken ground-breaking research demonstrating that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy — which recently received “breakthrough therapy” status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — may provide sufficient benefit to patients experiencing PTSD to support approval from the FDA.

This compassionate access trial, if approved, will be conducted at Numinus’ Vancouver clinic, providing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to an initial 20 individuals experiencing PTSD and collecting outcome and safety data for Health Canada. Numinus’ physicians, therapists and staff will be trained to deliver the treatment under MAPS’ clinically-tested PTSD treatment protocol prior to approval by Health Canada.

“I am delighted to announce this collaboration agreement which, leveraging MAPS’ evidence-based treatment protocol and Numinus’ clinical infrastructure, will open the door to MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in Canada,” said Dr. Devon Christie, Medical Director at Numinus and a MAPS-trained therapist for the delivery of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

“Training Numinus therapists in the MDMA-assisted psychotherapy protocol for PTSD will provide a meaningful expansion of access to the ongoing research program for this promising treatment,” said Amy Emerson, CEO of MAPS PBC. “Though this treatment is still investigational, if approval is granted through the regulatory pathway this collaboration will bolster our shared goal of addressing the enormous — and growing — need for improved proven treatments for people suffering from PTSD.”

Dr. Rick Doblin, Founder and Executive Director of MAPS, adds, “Our commitment to open science is rooted in our mission to develop the cadre of qualified practitioners who will provide this world-class therapy. We’re excited to work with Numinus to build the case for regulatory approval through this compassionate access trial and expand best practice clinical infrastructure.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with MAPS and deliver the meaningful framework that they have spent decades building to better support those experiencing PTSD,” said Payton Nyquvest, CEO of Numinus. “At Numinus, our mandate is to explore and expand patient access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. We are proud to work alongside MAPS in furthering the regulatory landscape for psychedelic-assisted therapies, including MDMA, and setting the stage for the healthcare system of tomorrow.”

NOTE

The safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is currently under investigation. It has not yet been approved by Health Canada or the FDA, does not work for everyone, and carries risks even in therapeutic settings. These statements are no guarantee of future Health Canada or FDA approval or availability of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. These statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from projections.

Health Canada recommends compassionate access open-label clinical trials when drug manufacturers anticipate exceptional demand for a drug, “to meet the needs of patients not eligible for enrollment in other pivotal trials” (Special Access Program for Drugs: Guidance document for industry and practitioners, Published 2020-10-14). This program is not related to the U.S. FDA Expanded Access program, sometimes referred to as “compassionate use” or the Breakthrough Therapy designation.

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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF NUMINUS WELLNESS INC.
Payton Nyquvest
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair

About Numinus

Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSXV: NUMI) is a mental health and wellness company creating an ecosystem of solutions centred around safe, evidence-based, accessible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to help people heal and be well.

Numinus Health is dedicated to delivering innovative treatments to address physical, mental, and emotional health, through clinics and virtual services.

Numinus R&D is conducting implementation science and leveraging partnerships to beta-test and refine optimal models of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy delivery, setting the stage for approved routine use in mental health and wellness care.

Numinus Bioscience is focused on developing testing methods and effective formulas for the evolving psychedelics space. Health Canada licences, scientific expertise, and new technologies facilitate ongoing innovation, and high-throughput contract services generate established revenue.

Learn more at numinus.ca, and follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

ABOUT MAPS

Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. Since its founding, MAPS has raised over $100 million for psychedelic therapy and medical marijuana research and education.

www.maps.org

ABOUT MAPS PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION (MAPS PBC)

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) catalyzes healing and well-being through psychedelic drug development, therapist training programs, and sales of prescription psychedelics while prioritizing public benefit above profit. Founded in 2014, MAPS PBC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

www.mapspublicbenefit.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licences and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licences and permits to operate and expand the Company’s facilities; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to inconsistent public opinion, perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry, bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; the Company’s limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; the Company’s requirements for additional financing, and the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with research and development institutions, customers and suppliers. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

SOURCE: Numinus Wellness Inc.

For further information:

Dana Harvey
Chief Communications Officer
Numinus Wellness Inc
media@numinus.ca

Betty Aldworth
Interim Communications Director
MAPS
maps.org/mediarequest or media@maps.org

Past performance is not an indicator of future returns. Psychstocks is not an investment advisor and does not provide investment advice. Always do your own research and make your own investment decisions. This message is not a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. The parent company of Psychstocks has been compensated by NUMI USD$30,000 cash for a six-month marketing contract. This message is meant for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide investment advice.

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