Ontario’s egg farmers have pledged $1 million in research and development funding to United Paragon Associates (UPA) to fund clinical trials of a new antidepressant drug derived from eggs.
Egg Farmers of Ontario, which represents about 440 egg producers and pullet growers in the province, “believes there are enormous potential benefits of this research into Rellidep, an antidepressant drug, for individuals suffering from depression and for society as a whole,” EFO chair Scott Graham said in a release.
“The active ingredients of Rellidep are derived from eggs and that also means the research can stimulate, increase and improve the production and marketing of eggs in Ontario.”
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The letter of intent for EFO funding that will partially fund phase II clinical trials was announced during EFO’s 48th annual meeting.
Early trials of Rellidep have demonstrated suggest it offers advantages over existing treatments in three areas, said George Yeung, UPA’s president of research and development.
“Potentially better efficacy, shorter time-to-clinical-benefit and significantly fewer side effects were observed. We are hoping to see similar results in the next phases of our research.”
UPA is an Ontario-based, privately-held pharmaceutical developer of a proprietary therapeutic biologic isolate derived from fertilized hen’s eggs. Rellidep’s unique active compounds come from the embryonic stem cell material.
The company said Tuesday it’s “in the process of raising additional financing to continue the research and development of Rellidep.”
