News and Insights

At the start of July, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order to drive down prescription drug prices, with a wide-reaching impact across healthcare, but should investors in psychedelic medicine be concerned? The government hopes to increase competition through the directive, in a market where Americans pay 2.5 times more for treatments than theContinue reading

Big data has revolutionised healthcare, enhancing treatment safety, efficacy and operational efficiency. The technology has become crucial to accelerate drug discovery and development, underpinning the clinical trials that demonstrate psychedelic medicines’ groundbreaking potential. Study results indicate significantly improved patient outcomes, which will instigate further investigations to treat associated disorders, with digital innovation a vehicle toContinue reading

The industry-leading global event series returned on 7 July, with the PSYCH Investor Summit: Research & Development delivering investor-focused panel discussions, professional networking opportunities, research updates and company presentations. Clinical trials are demonstrating the safety and efficacy of psychedelic medicines at an unprecedented rate, creating opportunities for stakeholders across the burgeoning sector. With subject-matter expertsContinue reading

At the end of June, COMPASS Pathways announced it had administered its patented psilocybin-derivative, COMP360, to 216 patients in the largest psilocybin assisted-therapy trial to date. The Phase IIb clinical trial is examining the safety and efficacy of COMP360 to combat treatment-resistant depression, with the results expected to be published later this year. Clinical trialsContinue reading

This year’s PSYCH Investor Summit: Research & Development presents investors with the opportunity to examine Tryp Therapeutics, a publicly traded pharmaceutical company that develops clinical-stage compounds for illnesses with unmet medical needs. By developing therapies for rare diseases with few effective treatments, Tryp can apply for orphan drug designation, for quicker FDA approval and toContinue reading

As the excitement builds around the FDA’s potential support of psilocybin-based drugs, ketamine-derived medicines have largely flown under the radar, despite securing regulatory approval back in 2019. Braxia Scientific is one of the organisations championing the psychedelic medicine, with four clinics providing innovative ketamine treatments in Canada. The first Braxia Health Clinic opened in 2018;Continue reading

Following the success of the inaugural PSYCH Investor Summit: Europe and Asia on 21 April, the industry-leading global event series returns to showcase breakthroughs in psychedelic research and development.   Taking place on 7 July, the PSYCH Investor Summit: Research & Development will present engaging panel discussions, research updates, compelling company presentations and professional networking opportunitiesContinue reading

Today, Canadian-based biotechnology company Awakn Life Sciences began trading on the NEO Exchange under the symbol AWKN. The company’s focus is the treatment of addiction with psychedelic drugs, therapies and technologies, in the pursuit of providing hope for people for whom the current treatment methodologies are not working, CEO Anthony Tennyson told PSYCH following theContinue reading

With a watchful eye on shifting regulatory landscapes throughout North America, how might investors or operators interpret proposed or enacted loosening of drug restrictions and the impact on psychedelic business? This two-part series examines the commercial implications of regulatory frameworks and proposed changes in North America. Part 2: Opportunities or Threats?  With narrow channels forContinue reading

With a watchful eye on shifting regulatory landscapes throughout North America, how might investors or operators interpret proposed or enacted loosening of drug restrictions and the impact on psychedelic business? This two-part series examines the commercial implications of regulatory frameworks and proposed changes in North America.   Part 1: Paths and Parallels  When looking forContinue reading

Lengthy clinical trials and the siphoning of well-studied, ‘textbook’ psychedelics through a cumbersome medical approval regime are unnecessary in 2021, says Dr. Carl Hart. PSYCH caught up with the American psychologist and neuroscientist last week, following the release of his new book, Drug Use for Grown-Ups.  Hart is a prolific, yet provocative figure in theContinue reading

This week, MindMed (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ) announced a partnership with self-help guru Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation, the first high-profile, celebrity-backed deal of its kind for a publicly traded psychedelics company.  Few fine details on the partnership have been released, though the company said in an 18 May press release that itContinue reading

Despite Asia’s rich history of psychedelic experience, the state of psychedelic study and commercial exploration varies widely across the continent.  While some countries are forging ahead with research, it appears formal research activity is non-existent in many regions of the continent, known for its traditional hard-line stance on psychedelics generally.   However, as the planet’s mostContinue reading

Alternative health is a rising trend across all corners of the world; the global psychedelics industry is currently expected to be worth over US$100 billion, with the potential to save US$1 trillion on lost productivity, disrupting the way we approach healthcare. But how this industry is developing on either side of the Atlantic differs inContinue reading

This week, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) released findings from a groundbreaking Phase 3 clinical trial that suggest MDMA-assisted therapy will be an effective treatment for severe, chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ‘In our first Phase 3 study, roughly one third of the people had PTSD for 20 years or more, and yetContinue reading

On 21 April 2021, hundreds of attendees from investment, science and healthcare areas attended the PSYCH Investor Summit: Europe & Asia. The concise half-day virtual conference delivered the industry’s most promising opportunities directly to investors and funds in a day of networking, panels and company presentations from some of the most exciting enterprises in theContinue reading

This month, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) celebrated a milestone: 35 years of research and advocacy of psychedelics. Founded in 1986, the US-based non-profit research and educational organisation has worked to develop medical, legal and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics.  Founder Rick Doblin sat down withContinue reading

The recent surge of interest in psychedelic medicine and research efforts has given rise to a truly 21st-century advent: psychedelic mobile apps and data tools.  From bonafide research tools to psychedelic simulation platforms, technology companies are bringing solutions to the table to aid researchers and operators in their work, while helping guide consumers and patientsContinue reading

The main exchange for listing psychedelics companies, Horizons Psychedelic Stock Index ETF, has completed its first quarterly rebalance of its holdings. Horizons ETFs has over US$17.5 billion of assets under management and 88 ETFs listed on major Canadian stock exchanges. Four psychedelics industry businesses have been added to the index, which includes: Algernon Pharmaceuticals, BetterLifeContinue reading

Last week, the Australian government announced it would provide $15m of funding to support research into psychedelic medicines and their impact on treating mental health conditions. The Mental Illness Grant Opportunity represents a new approach towards the likes of psilocybin, MDMA and Ketamine for Australia, where it is hoped that further legislative action and researchContinue reading

Laurie Higbed, Ben Sessa and Steve O’Brien: Awakn Life Sciences | Photograph: Joel Redman/The Guardian Awakn Life Sciences has opened a clinic offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in the UK, becoming the first of its kind in the country. The clinic’s lead, Dr Ben Sessa, said he wants to harness the “unique mental state” he claims theContinue reading

Recently published results of The Global Drug Survey have revealed the behaviour and experiences of people using the likes of psilocybin, LSD, DMT MDMA and other psychedelics to aid their wellbeing and mental health. The online study involved 15,000+ LSD and 11,000+ psilocybin users, finding a majority of positive results and that the use ofContinue reading

Researchers from Imperial College London have carried out the largest placebo-controlled trial into psychedelics to date and found that small doses of LSD boost the psychology of users in a manner of ways. However, when the researchers examined what trial volunteers took, they found placebos worked equally as well as the drug. In short, theContinue reading

During The PSYCH Symposium in November 2020, a panel of leading scientists discussed their work in the field of psychedelic medicines as well as the research they had conducted on microdosing and the impact it has on the human body. Does it increase creativity? Improve focus or nothing more than a silicon valley fad? FindContinue reading

During The PSYCH Symposium in November 2020, a panel of leading experts operating in psychedelics sector, discussed the cultural challenge of commercialising the likes of psilocybin, DMT and LSD. This discussion, featuring a number of leading voices from across the psychedelics spectrum, focused on the problems which may arise as a result of removing theContinue reading

Last week, the world’s first exchange-traded fund for psychedelic medicines companies made its debut in Toronto, as the investment sector aims to capitalise on the rapidly developing interest in prospective mental health treatments which involve the use of Ketamine, Psilocybin, LSD, Ibogaine and MDMA. The Horizons Psychedelic Stock Index ETF, listed as PSYK, began tradingContinue reading

During The PSYCH Symposium in November 2020, a panel of leading experts,operating in psychedelics sector discussed the advancement of research on psilocybin. The groundbreaking, rapid progress being made in a number of regions across the US and beyond, the panel examined the realistic steps being taken towards the development of psychedelic treatment centers and howContinue reading

During The PSYCH Symposium in November 2020, Professor David Nutt, chairman of Awakn Life Sciences, founder of Drug Science and the director of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, delivered a virtual keynote speech on the impact of psychedelic medicines across history and culture before covering the complex and unbridled potential they hold in the treatmentContinue reading

A new company straddling both the functional health and psychedelic space with a consumer/retail first approach. Backed by a leading team of scientists, doctors, investors and experts across the wellness space, the company has full service creative, digital marketing, and e-commerce expertise, which is supported by a board with extensive knowledge of developing, marketing andContinue reading

Exclusive: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announces initiative to permit psychedelic treatment and research  The Caribbean nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has launched an initiative to permit and support psychedelic research and wellness. The initiative will begin as a Medicinal Wellness Feasibility Study, which is expected to last 24 to 30 months, andContinue reading

For the first time, stock in a psychedelic medicine company was traded on the market – and it was major success. Compass Pathways (NASDAQ: CMPS) went public by launching its IPO earlier this months and sold 7.5 million shares, raising $127.5 million, per Market Watch. Shares were initially offered at US$17, and the first stockContinue reading

Field Trip Health Ltd. (CSE: FTRP) began trading shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange on Tuesday 6th October, opening at $3.50 Canadian Dollars and closing its first day at $2.70 Canadian Dollars. The public listing comes on the heels of a reverse take-over which merged Field Trip Psychedelics Inc. and Newton Energy Corporation to formContinue reading

While a number of states have begun to legalise the medical use of certain psychedelics, widespread legalisation is set to start taking place from 2021 onwards. The new global psychedelics industry will be poised to result in cost savings of hundreds of billions annually on medication, counselling and lost productivity – entirely disrupting the wayContinue reading

This is a nascent and fast emerging industry, witnessing a flurry of commercial activity, including the founding of new companies, a number of IPO listings from established companies and a spate of M&A activity occurring on an almost daily basis.  “Innovation is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought.”Continue reading

PSYCH by Prohibition Partners conducts proprietary research on consumer attitudes to psychedelics In May 2020, Prohibition Partners conducted a nationally representative consumer survey in the US and the UK, the aim of which was to gauge awareness of, and attitudes towards the potential use of psychedelics for the treatment of a variety of mental healthContinue reading

COVID-19 and the ‘new normal’ for healthcare provision  Pioneers and early movers in the psychedelics industry are using tech to a) develop bespoke therapies for patients which are individually tailored to treat their specific mental health challenges; and, to b) broaden access to healthcare for greater numbers of patients via telehealth services.  Amidst a globalContinue reading

Emerging themes from the Psych Symposium @ Prohibition Partners Live, 22 and 23 June 2020. What if there was a medicine which could effectively cure treatment-resistant depression, a condition which negatively impacts the quality of life of more than 100 million people worldwide? What if there was a treatment for substance misuse, such as opioidContinue reading