EmpowerPharm Inc. (“EmpowerPharm” or “the Company”) is a Canadian pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing pharmaceutical grade cannabidiol (CBD)† therapies in solid oral dose formats. Its primary focus is on advancing treatments for mental health disorders, particularly social anxiety disorder (SAD). The Company applies its proprietary formulations based on SelfNanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) technology to improve the bioavailability of CBD to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness for a more impactful treatment. With promising Phase 2 trial outcomes, the Company is progressing to Phase 3 trials, targeting prescription drug approvals in Canada, the U.S., and select international markets, while preparing for a potential market launch. Phase 2 trials identified an effective CBD dose of 300 mg, prompting the development of new high-bioavailability 150 mg capsules for twice-daily use in Phase 3. EmpowerPharm’s expanding intellectual property (IP) portfolio secures market exclusivity and a competitive edge, supporting its focus on developing new products and indications, including proprietary tablet and soft gel capsule dosage forms. The Company operates state-of-the-art, fully licensed facilities that support both research and development (R&D) as well as the eventual commercial pharmaceutical production.
Key Points
- Social anxiety affects over 15 million adults in the U.S. and more than 300 million worldwide, with the global market for treatments projected to expand from approximately $12 billion in 2022 to $16 billion by 2030.
- Current SAD treatments largely include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which carry side effects and represent upwards of 80% of social anxiety prescriptions, and benzodiazepines, which can be addictive.
- Approximately 60% of individuals with social anxiety selfmedicate with cannabis, though it lacks FDA or Health Canada approval. Developing a federally approved, reimbursable prescription product within this category presents a unique market opportunity, with inelastic demand supporting a strong price point.
- EmpowerPharm’s co-founders Aubrey Dan and Peter Billiaert bring extensive experience from Novopharm and Teva, strengthening the Company’s capabilities in scaling, regulatory approval, and commercialization.
- EmpowerPharm has raised over CD$95 million, investing heavily in R&D, clinical trials, and manufacturing, and aims to secure an additional $100 million to fund Phase 3 SAD trials, as well as to expand its pipeline and scale up soft gel capsule production.
- The Company's growth plan includes potential exit opportunities like M&A, attracting institutional investors, or pursuing an IPO.
- With its cutting-edge technology, regulatory compliance, and solid financial foundation, EmpowerPharm believes that it is in a solid position for sustained growth and success within the pharmaceutical industry.