💸 High Impact

Cardiol Takes Major Step Forward With MAVERIC-2

Cardiol Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRDL), a clinical-stage company focused on combating heart disease with cutting-edge anti-inflammatory therapies, is turning up the heat with its MAVERIC-2 trial. Their lead drug, CardiolRx™, is entering late-stage clinical trials to tackle recurrent pericarditis—a condition that causes debilitating chest pain, fatigue, and potentially life-threatening heart constriction. With the stakes high and the market ripe, Cardiol’s strategy is a bold, cost-effective play to shake up the treatment landscape for heart disease patients tired of costly and risky immunosuppressants.

Let’s break this down: CardiolRx™ is being tested as a follow-up to IL-1 blockers, which, while effective, come with a hefty price tag and some serious immunosuppressive baggage. Think of IL-1 blockers as the third-string quarterback of heart disease treatments—called in only when nothing else works. But the problem? When patients stop these drugs, the inflammation often comes roaring back, leaving them dependent on these pricey meds. Enter CardiolRx™, which promises to be a cheaper, non-immunosuppressive hero, potentially cutting the IL-1 blocker leash once and for all.

MAVERIC-2, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, will pit CardiolRx™ against placebo in about 110 patients. The goal? To see if CardiolRx™ can keep pericarditis at bay after IL-1 blockers are stopped. The stakes are high: with pericarditis recurrence rates clocking in at a staggering 75% post-IL-1, the demand for better treatment options is undeniable. CardiolRx™ could offer not just pain relief, but also freedom from costly, long-term biologic dependence.

But that’s not all. This trial is a prelude to MAVERIC-3, a planned Phase III trial that could potentially broaden the patient pool even further. With an eye on both U.S. and European markets, Cardiol isn’t just playing the game—they’re gunning for the championship.

The company’s president and CEO, David Elsley, is confident that MAVERIC-2 could fast-track the approval process. With positive topline data already under their belt from the MAVERIC-Pilot trial, which showed impressive reductions in chest pain and inflammation, all eyes are on the full data set to be presented in November.

Cardiol Therapeutics is on the move, aiming to disrupt a space currently dominated by expensive treatments and limited options. If they succeed, CardiolRx™ could be the game-changer the heart disease market has been waiting for.

📈 Dog Walkers

Smart and Safe Lawsuit Gets Thrown Out of Court

In a political chess match that would make even the most seasoned strategists nod in approval, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis scored a win this week when a judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging his use of taxpayer dollars to fund an ad campaign opposing marijuana legalization. Despite the legal maneuvering, it seems voters are still high on the idea of legalization. A new poll shows that 66% of voters favor the initiative, comfortably above the 60% threshold required for it to pass. While opponents ramp up their efforts, the pro-legalization crowd is lighting up the polls—figuratively, of course—with strong bipartisan support. Looks like Florida’s heading for a green November.

Awakn Add Additional Trial Sites TOo AWKN-001

Awakn Life Sciences is making serious moves in the fight against alcohol use disorder (AUD) with the expansion of its 'MORE-KARE' Phase 3 trial. With four new trial sites added across the UK, including heavy hitters like South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, the total trial locations have now climbed to seven. The company’s investigational treatment, AWKN-001, combines the mind-altering power of ketamine with structured psycho-social support to tackle severe AUD head-on. As participants receive ketamine infusions and therapist-led sessions, Awakn’s innovative approach has the potential to change the game for those struggling with alcohol relapse, all while the company continues to blaze its trail in the biotech world.

Amendment 3 Is Cruising Into The Finish Line

Florida's path to marijuana legalization just got a little greener. According to a new poll from the University of North Florida, 66% of voters are ready to back Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and over. With a 60% supermajority required to pass, this poll suggests legalization is on track to cross the finish line. Despite a flurry of anti-legalization ads and campaigns, it seems Floridians are feeling mellow about the idea. Dr. Michael Binder, the poll’s director, notes that support remains strong even with election day looming, as voters eye a future where regulated cannabis sales might soon become a reality in the Sunshine State.

👾 Number Of The Day

494,058 How many 1g pre-rolls were sold in NV in September.

🗞️ The News

Awakn Announces Opening of Four Additional AWKN-001 Phase 3 Trial Sites

Cardiol Therapeutics to Advance CardiolRx(TM) into a Late-Stage Trial in Patients with Recurrent Pericarditis

Florida Judge Tosses Lawsuit Against DeSantis Admin Over Anti-Marijuana Ads As New Poll Shows Legalization Ballot Initiative Passing

📺 YouTube

Former NFL RB Ricky Williams Explains NFL's Stance on Cannabis | Trade to Black

What we covered:

✅On our latest Trade To Black podcast, former NFL star Ricky Williams joins us to talk cannabis legalization and if we might see legislation changes in 2025 for the cannabis industry.

He also weighs in on if and when more NFL stars from the cannabis space will start advocating more in Washington all in an effort to create awareness to Congress.

Plus, Dan Ahrens from AdvisorShares (NYSEARCA: MSOS) joins us once again to talk about last weeks performance involving Bright Minds Bioscience (NASDAQ DRUG) and what investors can anticipate this week regarding the stock.