Clearmind Medicine files U.S. patent for non-hallucinogenic MEAI therapy targeting cocaine addiction

Clearmind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: CMND), a clinical-stage biotech developing non-hallucinogenic treatments for mental health and addiction, has advanced its intellectual property portfolio with the publication of a U.S. patent application covering its proprietary neuroplastogen compound, 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI), for the treatment of cocaine addiction. The announcement underscores Clearmind’s growing presence in the emerging neuroplastogen field—a domain seeking to deliver the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics without hallucinogenic side effects.

The patent filing represents a strategic milestone in Clearmind’s efforts to capture first-mover advantage in cocaine use disorder, a $1.36 billion market projected to surpass $2 billion by 2032. The company said the filing broadens its intellectual property protection around MEAI and supports its broader goal of developing scalable, accessible pharmacotherapies for substance-use disorders that remain underserved by existing treatments.

MEAI, Clearmind’s flagship compound, acts as a non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen—a novel class of compounds that promote neural plasticity and cognitive resilience without inducing psychedelic experiences. In preclinical models, MEAI has shown potential to modulate serotonin and dopamine pathways, reducing drug cravings and relapse behaviour. The latest patent publication suggests that Clearmind aims to expand MEAI’s therapeutic reach to include cocaine addiction, following previous filings focused on alcohol use disorder and binge-drinking reduction.

How Clearmind’s MEAI therapy aims to address the unmet medical need in cocaine addiction treatment

Cocaine addiction, clinically classified as cocaine use disorder (CUD), remains one of the most difficult forms of substance abuse to treat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any medication specifically indicated for CUD, leaving patients reliant on behavioural therapies and peer-support frameworks. Despite high relapse rates, limited pharmacological options, and significant healthcare costs, no drug has yet demonstrated clear, consistent efficacy in reducing cocaine dependence.

Clearmind’s MEAI program aims to address this treatment gap by leveraging neuroplasticity enhancement without the psychotropic burden of psychedelic drugs. According to the company, MEAI restores healthy neural signalling patterns disrupted by chronic stimulant use, particularly in the reward and reinforcement circuits of the brain. In animal studies, the compound reportedly reduced cocaine-seeking behaviour while preserving responses to natural rewards such as food—an important indicator that the compound’s mechanism targets pathological craving rather than general motivation.

This mechanistic selectivity, Clearmind noted, could translate into better adherence and safety profiles compared with current investigational compounds. Unlike psychedelics such as psilocybin or LSD, MEAI does not induce hallucinations or require guided clinical sessions. This makes it more compatible with conventional pharmaceutical delivery models and insurance reimbursement frameworks.

From a regulatory standpoint, the company’s non-hallucinogenic positioning could also ease clinical trial acceptance and facilitate broader adoption among psychiatrists and addiction-treatment centres that remain hesitant about psychedelic-assisted therapy.

What the new patent application covers for MEAI and how it strengthens Clearmind’s intellectual property strategy

Clearmind’s newly published U.S. patent application extends the company’s IP portfolio to include MEAI’s use in treating cocaine addiction. The company already holds 19 patent families and 31 granted patents spanning multiple therapeutic categories, including depression, obesity, alcohol use disorder, and now stimulant addiction.

The filing, which follows a prior international submission under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), details the compound’s unique pharmacological properties and its non-hallucinogenic neuroplastic action. It also reinforces Clearmind’s position as a pioneer in the neuroplastogen space—defined by compounds that enhance synaptic connectivity without causing perceptual distortions.

Clearmind’s IP expansion arrives amid intensifying competition across the psychedelic and neurotherapy landscapes. While several companies, including Awakn Life Sciences and MindMed, are exploring hallucinogenic-based solutions for substance-use disorders, Clearmind’s MEAI offers a pharmacological differentiator that could appeal to regulators and investors alike.

The company’s collaboration with Israel-based SciSparc Ltd. continues to advance its preclinical research. Together, the partners have shown early evidence of MEAI’s efficacy in multiple addiction models. SciSparc’s cannabinoid technology may also complement MEAI’s neurochemical pathway modulation, potentially broadening its therapeutic utility.

According to Clearmind, the latest U.S. publication marks one of several filings under review in major markets, including Canada, Europe, and Asia. The company’s growing patent portfolio signals a deliberate strategy to build long-term exclusivity around MEAI and position it as a category-defining treatment in addiction medicine.

How the market opportunity and regulatory gap position MEAI within the addiction-treatment landscape

The addiction-treatment sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Recent years have seen increased investment in next-generation psychopharmacology, driven by rising demand for therapies that combine scientific credibility with scalable delivery models. Within this landscape, cocaine use disorder remains one of the largest unaddressed indications.

Market research cited by Clearmind estimates that the global cocaine addiction treatment market will grow from $1.36 billion in 2025 to more than $2 billion by 2032, reflecting compound annual growth above 5%. Much of this demand stems from rising prevalence in North America and Europe, coupled with public-health efforts to reduce overdose and relapse rates.

MEAI’s non-hallucinogenic pharmacology may position Clearmind to capture a unique niche—bridging the divide between traditional neuropsychiatric medications and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Its potential scalability could enable widespread adoption in both private and public-health sectors, where cost and infrastructure remain limiting factors for psychedelic treatments.

Analysts tracking the addiction-treatment space suggest that compounds like MEAI could complement behavioural therapies rather than replace them. This integrative model aligns with modern treatment philosophies that emphasize neurobiological support for recovery.

Still, experts caution that translating preclinical results into human efficacy remains a formidable challenge. Cocaine addiction is multifaceted, involving complex neurochemical and behavioural mechanisms. Even promising molecules often fail in later-stage trials due to variability in patient response, relapse triggers, and psychosocial factors.

For Clearmind, moving MEAI into human clinical trials will be the decisive next step in validating its therapeutic promise. A successful Phase 1 safety study would pave the way for proof-of-concept trials that could attract larger partnerships or licensing agreements with established pharmaceutical companies.

What current investor sentiment reveals about Clearmind Medicine’s capital-market position and next development milestones

From a capital-market perspective, Clearmind Medicine remains a speculative micro-cap biotech. The company’s shares trade below US$1 on the Nasdaq, with a market capitalization of roughly US$5 million as of late October 2025. While small in scale, Clearmind’s IP progress offers incremental support to investor confidence by strengthening its defensibility within a high-growth niche.

According to sentiment data from MarketBeat, Clearmind’s news flow currently registers as positive, with a sentiment score near 0.70—above the sector average for pre-revenue biotech firms. However, quantitative analytics from Danelfin AI maintain a neutral “Hold” rating (4 out of 10), reflecting both the potential upside of MEAI’s patent strategy and the ongoing risks associated with early-stage drug development.

Liquidity and funding remain central challenges. As the company advances its IP and preclinical programs, it may need to secure new financing through equity offerings, strategic investors, or joint development agreements. The newly published U.S. patent could enhance its negotiating leverage with potential partners interested in non-hallucinogenic neurotherapy pipelines.

In the near term, investors are expected to focus on the timing of Clearmind’s investigational new drug (IND) application for MEAI, potential Phase 1 trial initiation, and any collaboration announcements with larger pharmaceutical or academic partners. Success in these areas could materially affect market valuation and perception of Clearmind’s long-term viability.

The company’s cautious capital allocation, combined with a clear IP roadmap, may also help it navigate the volatility common to early-stage biotech. Still, as with all pre-commercial firms in this sector, investor sentiment will remain closely tied to the pace of clinical progress and regulatory clarity.

How Clearmind’s evolving IP and clinical strategy could redefine the neuroplastogen race and investor perception

Clearmind’s U.S. patent expansion for MEAI marks more than a procedural milestone—it signals how the company is engineering its competitive identity within the next generation of neuroscience therapeutics. By anchoring its innovation narrative around non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens, Clearmind is effectively positioning itself between two dominant models in mental-health biotech: the psychedelic-assisted therapy segment, which faces heavier clinical oversight, and the traditional psychopharmacology market, which often struggles with efficacy limitations.

This hybrid positioning may prove strategically significant. Neuroplastogens like MEAI could deliver the synaptic regeneration benefits associated with psychedelics while maintaining regulatory and commercial scalability. That gives Clearmind a narrative advantage at a time when the biotech sector is shifting focus toward receptor-specific, fast-acting compounds with improved patient acceptability.

For investors, this development represents an early signal of how intellectual property strength can influence sentiment before revenue generation. While MEAI’s efficacy in human trials remains unproven, the patent publication adds structural value to Clearmind’s balance sheet and enhances its ability to attract licensing or co-development interest. In micro-cap biotech, where volatility is high and capital scarce, intellectual property can become a form of financial insulation—especially when tied to an area with no approved treatments and measurable social demand.

Whether Clearmind’s IP momentum translates into clinical success will determine its eventual relevance in the neurotherapy landscape. Yet by controlling key intellectual property in the non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen space, the company has positioned itself to participate meaningfully in a field that could reshape addiction medicine over the next decade.