Biography/Memoir

Lykos… moved to patent MDMA in late 2022, filing reveals

…another big ‘if’ is whether the company will even obtain FDA approval for its MDMA-assisted therapy at all… Specifically, Lykos’ patent application claims a composition comprising a salt or solvate of MDMA along with one or more excipients, where the average particle size in the composition is, at its broadest, between 50 and 400 microns,…

READ MORE
Biography/Memoir

After FDA setback, psychedelic drugmakers distance themselves from a pioneer

A resoundingly negative vote by an advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday [6/5/24] – though not binding – has diminished the chances of the sponsor, Lykos Therapeutics, from winning full approval for MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, industry observers said. But biotech executives, investors and researchers said in interviews that…

READ MORE
Politics

FDA panel rejects MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD

An independent advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration rejected the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder on Tuesday [6/4/2024]. While the vote is not binding on the F.D.A., the agency often follows the recommendations of its advisory panels. Members of an independent scientific advisory committee voted 9 to 2 that human…

READ MORE
Medicine/Healing

The VA’s high hopes for psychedelics

Why the VA matters: It’s the largest health system in the country and serves a population with disproportionately high rates of PTSD. The VA announced in January [2024 that it would fund research into psychedelics like MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and psilocybin as potential treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. While outside groups have…

READ MORE
Biography/Memoir

…with ecstasy…

At first, the goal was to use psychedelics to heal veterans (as indicated by MAPS’s public relations between 2005 and 2012). Then, in 2012, Doblin shifted to suggesting that psychedelics might be used to heal traumatized active-duty soldiers. Now, MAPS’s founder calls for military recruits to be dosed upon enlistment. This latest turn was announced…

READ MORE
Biography/Memoir

‘It makes me more thoughtful’: push to… magic mushrooms gains momentum…

[Oregon is poised to legislate the return to recriminalizing personal possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms (as well as LSD and MDMA) on Tuesday March 12, 2024; with citizens awaiting Democratic Governor Tina Kotek’s signature to do so.] “There is more awareness when it comes to psychedelics, especially mushrooms,” Valera said. Salem City Councilor Andy Varela believes…

READ MORE
Medicine/Healing

Psychedelic biotech MAPS PBC rebrands to Lykos following FDA filing, scores $100M financing

MAPS PBC [Public Benefit Corporation) has rebranded to Lykos Therapeutics [a for-profit public benefit corporation (“PBC”)], (“Lykos”), the greek word for wolf.  MAPS PBC spun out of its parent organization MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)… clinical development effort of MDMA-assisted therapy [midomafetamine capsules used in combination with psychological intervention], which includes talk therapy, and…

READ MORE
Politics

FDA weighs new application to approve MDMA as first-ever psychedelic medicine for PTSD

The MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) announced on Tuesday [12/12/23] that it submitted the new drug application (NDA) to FDA, requesting an expedited review given that the agency previously designated the psychedelic as a breakthrough therapy. If the NDA is ultimately approved, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would then need to reschedule MDMA accordingly.…

READ MORE