According to sources close to the matter, Eli Lilly & Co. is in talks to acquire AtaiBeckley Inc., which highlights the growing interest of big pharma in the previously marginal field of psychedelic medicine.
According to the sources, who asked not to be identified because the information is private, the pharmaceutical group could announce the acquisition of the New York-based pharmaceutical company this week.
The actions of AtaiBeckley They have more than doubled in value in the last 12 months, giving the company a market value of approximately US$2 billion. According to sources, Lilly is negotiating a deal with a premium.
Eli Lilly declined to comment.
Bloomberg previously reported that AtaiBeckley was exploring options for the sale or partnership of its flagship drug, known as BPL-003.
This agreement would consolidate the long history of Lilly in the field of neuroscience drugs, an area where the company helped transform the treatment of depression with Prozac three decades ago.
While the Indianapolis-based drugmaker is now best known for its blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs, it has continued to invest in neuroscience, including treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and non-addictive pain relievers. According to sources close to the company who requested anonymity when discussing confidential matters, Lilly has been interested in the field of psychedelics for some time.
It comes at a crucial time for psychedelic medicine. After years on the sidelines of drug development, the sector has been boosted by the success of Spravato Johnson & Johnsonpromising clinical trial results, and recent support from the Trump administration. The analysts of Bloomberg Intelligence say the market for psychedelic treatments could reach $7 billion in sales by 2032.
New Era
AtaiBeckley is one of several companies that are poised to usher in this new era of psychedelics. The company, founded by the German businessman Christian Angermayery backed by the billionaire Peter Thielis developing drugs for treatment-resistant depression and social anxiety disorder. Its lead candidate, BPL-003, is a fast-acting nasal spray.
In mid-phase studies, patients experienced significant improvements in depressive symptoms within two days of a single dose, with benefits lasting up to eight weeks. The drug also received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The doctors and the company They claim that one of the main advantages of BPL-003 is its shorter treatment duration. The drug’s psychedelic experience lasts approximately one to two hours, considerably less time than other experimental compounds, such as one of Compass Pathways Plcwhich may require patient monitoring for up to eight hours. GH Research Plc is developing a similar treatment.
“We really wanted something that was easy to use for both patients and doctors,” he said. Srinivas Raoexecutive director of AtaiBeckleyin a recent interview at the office of Bloomberg in New York. “Something that would integrate easily with the Spravato system.”
Other companies in the sector are Definium Therapeuticswhich is studying a promising LSD-based treatment for major depressive disorder, and AbbVie Inc.
