Issue 140

Psychedelics should be at forefront of EU mental health efforts, urges PAREA

The Psychedelic Access and Research Alliance (PAREA) has released a position statement calling on the EU to harness psychedelics in a bid to create innovation in the area of mental health treatments and make the Union a leader in biomedicines.

Data shows that in 2019, 7.2% of the EU population aged 15 years and older were living with chronic depression. However, mental health treatment in Europe has seen little to no innovation in decades.

Highlighting that the right to innovation is enshrined in the European Charter of Patients’ Rights, the position statement is a response to the EU Pharmaceutical Package revision and extends its reach to cover the full lifecycle of medicines, underscoring the urgent need to incentivise the development of novel mental health treatments.

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PSILOCYBIN IN THE TREATMENT OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia affects about one in 70 women and is extremely hard to treat. Only one in three of those affected achieve a full recovery.

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A DRUG DEVELOPER'S GUIDE TO NAVIGATING PSYCHEDELIC TRIALS

At PSYCH Symposium: London 2023, Clerkenwell Health led a panel discussion on the challenges facing the industry.

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BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

Filament Health to list on Nasdaq. It has partnered with Jupiter Acquisition Corporation to create a new public holding company.

Cybin completes dosing in Phase II trial. Data in the treatment of major depressive disorder is expected by the end of 2023.

Awakn’s licensing partner opens ketamine clinic in Portugal. The Clinic of Change’s inaugural location is in Lisbon.

A drug developer’s guide to navigating psychedelic trials. At PSYCH Symposium: London 2023, a panel discussed the challenges and opportunities.

MindMed survives takeover attempt. Shareholders rejected the board candidates proposed by activist investors.

PharmaTher reports positive data with its DMT microneedle patch.  It is hoped the patch will overcome obstacles.

Bright Minds shares topline data from Phase I study with proprietary compound. BMB-101 is being developed to treat epilepsies.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

The efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. The initial results are promising, but Phase III trials with racemic ketamine are needed.

Research suggests SSRIs might limit efficacy of psilocybin. Serotonergic antidepressants are often the first avenue for treating depression.

Patients’ perception of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.  Approximately 80 clinical trials with MDMA have taken place since 2009.

Chacruna publishes statement challenging DEA ayahuasca report. It contends the report was published in line with the prohibitionist approach of the US government.

Doctors urge research into psychedelic medicines for women’s cancer distress. Innovation is needed for late-stage gynaecological cancers.

A brief history of psychedelic medicine. For thousands of years entheogens have been used across the world.

REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Minneapolis Mayor makes enforcement of psychedelic medicine laws the lowest priority. The chief of police said he will direct officers accordingly.

New California psychedelic medicine ballot initiative would create US$5 billion state agency. It is hoped further research may accelerate federal legalisation.

US lawmakers promote psychedelic research amendment. Congressional lawmakers want to amend a spending bill to promote psychedelic research.

Psilocybin dispensary raided by police in Montreal. It is the second time in a month that the store has been closed.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Police in England to attend fewer mental health calls. They will no longer respond if there is no risk to life or crime being committed.

There is a rise in suicides among UK doctors. Medics are at least twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population.

Demand for mental health services in the UK is already outstripping supply. Referrals have risen by 44 per cent, but the workforce has only grown by 22 per cent.

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