Psychedelics gaining big drugmaker attention as trials show promise and deals expand the market

Pharma companies are showing sudden increased interest in psychedelic treatments, driven by a string of positive clinical signals and high profile industry moves. AbbVie’s purchase of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ investigational psychedelic compound bretisilocin for up to $1.2 billion is presented as a turning point, suggesting that traditional drugmakers are becoming more willing to invest even after the FDA rejected MDMA the year before. The article also points to Janssen’s ketamine based nasal spray Spravato as the only currently legal psychedelic psychiatric treatment, citing strong early sales as evidence of commercial viability. The broader takeaway is that more major pharmaceutical companies are joining the space and preparing for future deals as multiple psychedelic compounds move into later-stage development, reflecting a maturing sector despite remaining regulatory and risk barriers.