Quantum BioPharma (NASDAQ: QNTM) has entered into a Study Start-Up Agreement (SUA) with the clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific to implement its Phase 2 clinical trial of Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS) for multiple sclerosis (MS). The agreement initiates formal study start-up activities following FDA clearance to proceed with the trial, according to a company announcement. Thermo Fisher will support study start-up and related clinical research services through its PPD Clinical Research Business.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Lucid-MS in people with progressive forms of MS using clinical and radiological endpoints. Lucid-MS is an investigational, first-in-class New Chemical Entity designed to provide neuroprotection by inhibiting demyelination through targeting protein arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2), an enzyme implicated in myelin degradation.
The agreement marks a critical operational step for Quantum BioPharma as it advances its lead compound into mid-stage human testing. If successful, Lucid-MS could offer a novel mechanism of action for progressive forms of MS, a condition with limited treatment options. The trial’s start-up phase will involve site selection, investigator recruitment, and regulatory preparations, with Thermo Fisher’s PPD business providing clinical research services.
Quantum BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions for the treatment of challenging neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders and alcohol misuse disorders with drug candidates in different stages of development. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc., Quantum is focused on the research and development of its lead compound, Lucid-MS. Lucid-MS is a patented new chemical entity shown to prevent and reverse myelin degradation, the underlying mechanism of multiple sclerosis, in preclinical models.
The company also invented UNBUZZD and spun out its OTC version to Unbuzzd Wellness Inc., led by industry veterans. Quantum retains ownership of 19.84% (as of March 31, 2026) of Unbuzzd. The agreement with Unbuzzd also includes royalty payments of 7% of sales from unbuzzd until payments to Quantum total $250 million. Once $250 million is reached, the royalty drops to 3% in perpetuity. Quantum retains 100% of the rights to develop similar products or alternative formulations specifically for pharmaceutical and medical uses.
For investors, the SUA with Thermo Fisher signals tangible progress toward trial initiation, reducing execution risk and potentially accelerating timelines. The full press release can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/CZH9U. The latest news and updates relating to QNTM are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QNTM. Full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published, are available at https://IBN.ai/Disclaimer.
Certain statements in this article are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management’s control, including the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this article in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. All parties undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.
