Non-racemic MDMA

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Non-racemic MDMA
(R)-MDMA (top) and (S)-MDMA (bottom)
Combination of
(R)-MDMAEntactogen; Serotonin–norepinephrine releasing agent (SNRA)
(S)-MDMAEntactogen; Serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA)
Clinical data
Other namesNon-racemic midomafetamine; Non-racemic ecstasy; ALA-002; ALA002; ALA-02; ALA02; AM-1002; AM1002

Non-racemic MDMA, also known by the developmental code names ALA-002 and AM-1002, are non-racemic mixtures of the MDMA (midomafetamine; "ecstasy") enantiomers (R)-MDMA and (S)-MDMA which are under development for the treatment of social phobia (social anxiety disorder; SAD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).[1][2][3] ALA-002, which is under development by PharmAla Biotech for social phobia and autistic spectrum disorders, is a mixture of 70–80% (R)-MDMA and 20–30% (S)-MDMA.[1][4] Conversely, AM-1002, which is under development by Arcadia Medicine for GAD, is a mixture of 90% (R)-MDMA and 10% (S)-MDMA.[5] Based on animal studies, (R)-MDMA-preferring non-racemic MDMA mixtures show less hyperlocomotion, hyperthermia, hypertension, and neurotoxicity than racemic MDMA.[5][6] ALA-002 is in phase 2 clinical trials for SAD and ASD as of 2026, whereas AM-1002 is in phase 1/2 trials for GAD as of 2026.[1][2][7] Jupiter Neurosciences acquired the exclusive rights to develop ALA-002 in the United States from PharmAla Biotech in May 2026.[8]

See also

References

  1. "ALA 002". AdisInsight. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  2. "AM 1002". AdisInsight. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  3. Knutsen A (1 February 2024). "Psychedelics Coming into the Modern Age of Medicine: The history of psychedelics spans the spiritual, the recreational, and the legal—and now the medical, thanks to safer and more convenient molecules and protocols". Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. 44 (2): 44–47. doi:10.1089/gen.44.02.15. ISSN 1935-472X. In animal studies, PharmAla Biotech has demonstrated that its molecule, ALA-002, does not result in a rise in body temperature or blood pressure. ALA002 also has a much lower abuse potential than generic MDMA. A Phase II trial will begin in 2024 to treat social anxiety in autistic adults.
  4. "Patent Allowance Granted for ALA-002 Composition by US Patent and Trademark OfficeNovel Composition of MDMA Enantiomers leading to next-generation MDMA possibilities". BioSpace. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  5. Hu JC (10 October 2025). "Patented formulation of MDMA receives federal "Investigational New Drug" status; Intravenous ketamine outperforms esketamine". Substack. MDMA is what is called a "racemic mixture": it contains an equal proportion of two molecular structures, known as R-MDMA and S-MDMA, which are mirror images of each other. Arcadia's AM-1002 is a non-racemic MDMA; according to its patent application for the drug, it contains a mix of nine parts R-MDMA to one part S-MDMA. Previous research has suggested that while S-MDMA is associated with strong visual effects and higher blood pressure, R-MDMA provides more stimulation of serotonin receptors. The company calls its drug a "non-neurotoxic form of MDMA with an improved therapeutic profile," and plans to start a clinical trial investigating its use in treating generalized anxiety disorder.
  6. Fagot SA, Shaw HE, Kaur H, Fantegrossi WE (2023). Thermoregulatory and locomotor effects of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), its enantiomers, and a non-racemic mixture [of S-MDMA and R-MDMA (ALA-002) in C57BL/6 and BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J mice] (PDF). 15th Annual Behavior, Biology and Chemistry (BBC): Translational Research in Substance Use Disorders.
  7. "Psychedelic Drug Development Tracker". Psychedelic Alpha. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  8. "PharmAla Biotech Signs Term Sheet to License Exclusive U.S. Rights to ALA-002, Its Next-Generation MDMA Therapeutic, to Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: JUNS) in a Transaction Valued at Over $100 Million". BioSpace. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.