On April 7, 2021 AIkido Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") reported that it has been granted an exclusive sublicense to technology related to the use of novel and proprietary central nervous system (CNS) homing peptides for the therapeutic treatment of neuroinflammatory disease in cancer patients (Press release, AIkido Pharma, APR 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234577705]).

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The homing peptides covered by the sublicense can be used to facilitate the delivery of therapeutic agents to inflamed CNS tissue. Psychedelics such as psilocybin have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in addition to their potential efficacy for treatment of neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies indicate that neuroinflammation of the brain and other CNS tissues in cancer patients contributes to, among other symptoms, the onset of cancer cachexia, which is characterized by loss of appetite, extreme weight loss and muscle wasting.

Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido Pharma, stated, "The novel homing peptides covered under this sublicense have the potential to allow the direct delivery of psilocybin to inflamed CNS tissue in cancer patients. This sublicense culminates our Letter of Intent previously announced on February 16, 2021. It complements our recently announced support of the psilocybin research for PTSD treatment at Mount Sinai Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research."