Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 09 NOVEMBER 2021

Quick Overview Of The State Of Patents For Psychedelics

Fasken
Explore more from Fasken

Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Serge Lapointe, Ph.D.
Serge Lapointe, Ph.D.
Author LinkedIn connections

Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes. Also so known as "hallucinogens", reference to psychedelics is commonly meant to include substances such as Psilocybin (a.k.a. "magic mushroom"), MDMA (a.k.a. "extasy") and LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide).

Likely following the lead of the ongoing legalisation of cannabis in Canada, many U.S. states and other countries, the recent years have seen unprecedented investments and an increasing interest in research, production, and supply of psychedelics, particularly for potential medicinal uses.

The present article aims to provide a brief overview of the current situation from a patent perspective and to discuss about patenting strategies for these substances.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

When AI Meets Copyright: SOCAN v Suno And The Broader AI Copyright Landscape

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada has launched a landmark Federal Court claim against AI music platform Suno, alleging systematic copyright infringement on a massive scale. As Canadian courts prepare to address whether AI platforms can infringe existing copyrights and whether AI-generated works merit protection, these cases will establish critical precedents for how generative AI intersects with intellectual property law across all industries.
CanadaIntellectual Property
McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP
Article

More Than Skin Deep: Ontario Considers A Makeover Of Cosmetic Injection Rules

A regulatory shift now under consideration in Ontario could reshape how the province’s medical aesthetic clinics operate. The proposal, which would change how nurses are authorized to administer medical aesthetic services, invites a broader look at how Ontario currently regulates cosmetic injections and how the proposed changes would align the province more closely with the regulatory frameworks already in place elsewhere in Canada. While these procedures are often marketed as routine “spa” services, they remain medical acts that involve prescription products and carry clinical risks.
CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Fasken
Fasken
Article

2026 Federal Budget: Highlights Affecting Financial Services

The 2026 Federal Budget (“Budget 2026”) proposes to grow the Canadian financial services sector, while introducing multiple checks on possible risks raised by new bank entrants and innovative technology. It also builds out existing policy measures to support digital innovation and combat fraud. There are various other measures that may be of interest to financial service providers in banking, insurance and payments.
CanadaFinance and Banking
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs On US Goods: A Primer On What Canadian Businesses Need To Know

Effective September 8, 2026, Canada implemented retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods in response to the initial 50% tariffs imposed by the US under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. To operationalize these measures, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued Customs Notice 26-23, establishing binding administrative rules on how the surtax will be applied, calculated, and collected.
CanadaInternational Law
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Open Banking Milestone: Draft Supervisory Guidelines For Consumer-Driven Banking Released

The Bank of Canada (the “Bank”) has published two proposed guidelines relating to the accreditation process for prospective participants under the Consumer-Driven Banking Framework: the Participating entity accreditation application requirements under the Consumer-Driven Banking Act (the “Participating Entity Guideline”) and the Third-party service provider accreditation application requirements under the Consumer-Driven Banking Act (the “TPSP Guideline”).
CanadaFinance and Banking
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Life Sciences-Health Canada Takes Action Against Unauthorized Peptide Sales

On July 29, 2026, Health Canada announced that it had obtained a permanent injunction against a Québec-based company in connection with the sale of unauthorized injectable peptides in Canada. The announcement reflects Health Canada’s continued focus on peptide products and serves as a reminder that injectable peptides intended for human use are regulated as prescription drugs and are subject to Canada's drug regulatory framework.
CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Fasken
Fasken