Kanna Health Ltd (Kanna Health), London, 26 January 2023. Today, the World Intellectual Property Office has published Kanna Health’s patent application covering the synthesis and use of synthetic mesembrine alkaloids across various therapeutic areas, entitled “Novel compounds and uses thereof” (WO/2023/004428). 

The application claims a group of novel synthetic compounds related to the naturally occurring mesembrine alkaloids. These novel alkaloid molecules have demonstrated inhibitory activity on serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and PDE4 isoforms using in vitro pharmacology assays. Moreover, anxiolytic and antidepressant activity has been demonstrated in non-clinical models, and anti-inflammatory activity confirmed. 

Our Executive Director of Discovery and Preclinical Research and an inventor on the patent application, Roy Gray, shared:

“The generation of these important data further advances our understanding of the unique pharmacological properties of novel Kanna-inspired compounds to address areas of significant unmet need in neurology, psychiatry and other therapeutic areas.”

The invention also relates to the method of synthesis, and the use of these novel compounds as research tools and pharmaceuticals. Kanna Health’s President and an inventor on the patent application, Dr. Ryan Protzko, stated:

“This patent publication discloses novel chemical entities, which will pave the way towards new, potentially life-changing therapies for patients.”

About Kanna Health Ltd

Kanna Health is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Kanna Health is developing novel medicines for areas of unmet medical need, derived from the alkaloids found in Sceletium tortuosum, which is referred to as “kanna.” Kanna has been used for mood and performance enhancement purposes by the San and Khoikhoi communities in South Africa for hundreds of years. Kanna Health is also developing novel proprietary alkaloids optimising the unique pharmacology of the kanna plant, to treat a wide range of neuropsychiatric medical conditions.  

‍Further information:

For further information, please contact John Boghossian (email: john@kanna.health)