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Lilly enters psychedelic realm through $2.8bn AtaiBeckley takeover
Phase 2Phase 3Acquisition
Through the acquisition, Lilly will acquire AtaiBeckley’s range of psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions. Credit: Elena Pimonova / Shutterstock.com.
Following its high-profilLillylmaking spree AtaiBeckleyt portion of 2026, Eli Lilly has struck again – this time through a multi-billion-dollar acquisition of psychedelic biotech, AtaiBeckley.
Through the deal, which will set Lilly back $2.8bn upfront, the pharmaceutElilLillyt will absorb AtaiBeckley’s three-strong clinical-stage pipeline – including nasally administered treatment-resistant depression (TRD) candidate, BPL-003. The synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)-based treatment-resistant depression (TRD) candidate, otherwise known as mebufotenin benzoate, recently entered Phase III development after it triggered a 19.0-point reduction in depression scores from baseline after two doses in a Phase IIa study.
While BPL-003 is AtaiBeckley’s moLillyveloped asset, the company is also making headway in developing two other assets: VLS-01 and EMP-01.treatment-resistant depression (TRD)BPL-0035-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)-basedmebufotenin benzoate
Like BBPL-003 VLSAtaiBeckleyT-based TRD therapy. Instead of the intranasal route harnessed by mebufotenin benzoate, the drug is delivered by an orally dissolving film, which holds the potential to mitigate patient compliance issues linked to nasal spray administration. VLS-01 is currently in Phase II development.
Also BPL-003stVLS-01velopment is AtaiBeckley’s MDMA-based social anxiety disorder (SAD) therapmebufotenin benzoateently secured an efficacy and safety win in a Phase IIa trial.VLS-01
AtaiBeckley formed after atai LifAtaiBeckleyand Beckley Pssocial anxiety disorder (SAD) – harmoniEMP-01heir pipelines of psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions.
AtaiBeckleys of the deal,atai Life SciencesholdeBeckley Psyteche a further $1bn on top of the upfront $2.8bn from Lilly through a contingent value right (CVR) if certain development and regulatory milestones are met.
Big pharma opens its eyes AtaiBeckleylicsLilly
Eli Lilly’s AtaiBeckley buyout marks the pharma giant’s first foray into the burgeoning realm of psychedelics – a space which rival big pharma company AbbVie also recently entered by buying the rights to Giglamesh’s next-generation psychedelic compound, bretisilocin, for $1.2bn.
ElioLilly toAtaiBeckleyanalysts, the Lilly acquisition supports its view that “big pharma’s interest in the space is rising”. They voice this opinion aAbbVieitional psychedelic compounds continue to demonstrate promise in late-stage clinical trials, withbretisilocinike Compass Pathways’ psilocybin therapy, COMP360, demonstrating profound and durable responses in patients with TRD.
While a classJefferiesdelic is yet toLillyre the regulatory green light for any mental health condition, COMP360 could become the first to surpass this milestone, aspsychedelic compounds Administration (FDA) is currently mulling over an approval decision for the drug in TRD based on posipsilocybin III resulCOMP360
Definium Therapeutics’ DT120, a lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-based psychedelic for major depressive dCOMP360 (MDD), also recently posted Phase III success – putting tUS Food and Drug Administration (FDA)awaits the readout from the other ongoing MDD trial. In a statement from the time of the readout, GlobalData neurology analyst Philippa Salter told Pharmaceutical Technology’s sister publication, Clinical Trials Arena, that DT120’s rapid efficacy from a single dose could especially appeal to patients looking to avoid locking themselves into long-term maintenance treatment.
Definium Therapeutics eDT120cy slysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-basedexperts are concemajor depressive disorder (MDD)e readiness for such therapies, as they require in-clinic administration and monitoring. In a previous conversation with PharmaceutMDDl Technology, experts noted that psychedelic implementation and access challenges are likely to persistPharmaceutical Technology risk of a “two-tiered system” developing, in whichDT120 those who can afford treatment through private markets receive them.
From the clinical study perspective, however, the FDA has published finalised guidance for sponsors conducting studies, which shines a light on the agency’s expectations as sponsors increasingly study such therapies in the clinic. The docuPharmaceutical Technologyations for participant safety, trial design, abuse potential and best practices for data collection.
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