Issue 135

Psych Capital Acquires Shortwave Pharma

Global investment firm Psych Capital has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Shortwave Pharma Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing breakthrough psychedelics-based medicines to address unmet medical needs, particularly in the field of eating disorders.

Eating disorders, including; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, affect millions of individuals worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that approximately 9% of the global population suffers from an eating disorder, highlighting a pressing need for innovative and effective treatments.

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THE FUTURE OF PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINES IN THE EU

At PSYCH Symposium: London 2023, a panel discussion will take place on European policymakers recognising the potential of psychedelic medicines.

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PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINES AND PRO-SOCIAL PREFERENCES

A study in rodents suggests psychedelics medicines can reopen critical periods in the brain’s development, fundamental for recovery from a stroke.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Australian health insurers reckon with psychedelic-assisted therapy. MDMA and psilocybin treatments are permitted from 1 July.

American Medical Association to issue first code for psychedelic therapy. MAPS and COMPASS have submitted a joint application.

Awakn closes second tranche of private placement. The company raised a further C$3 million to fund its expansion.

PharmaTher and Vitruvias enter commercialisation agreement. The FDA is expected to approve PharmaTher’s ketamine treatment in 2024.

Numinus partners with MAPS on therapist training. Numinus hopes to expand its training programme with MAPS’ protocol.

Clearmind Medicine and SciSparc to study obesity and metabolic syndrome. The companies have partnered with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Founder of TOMS Shoes pledges US$100m for psychedelic research. The money will help fund studies by academic institutions.

The use of psychedelics rises in the United States. Young adults nearly doubled their consumption of psilocybin-producing mushrooms from 2018 to 2021.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Congressional bill to decriminalise drugs will be refiled. The lawmakers first filed the bill in 2021.

An update on Colorado’s psilocybin legislation. The state voted to legalise the psychedelic medicine last year.

California lawmaker warns legislation faces challenges. He said the bill was not guaranteed to pass the state’s assembly.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

A third of British adults lack confidence in mental health hospitals. The findings follow a string of scandals at mental health institutions.

NHS Wales to launch mental health phone line. Dialling 111 will give people access to a mental health professional.

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