Psychedelics Investment Research
Publicly Listed Companies
Compass Pathways (CMPS:US)
Testing a synthetic psilocybin (hallucinogenic compound in magic mushroom) product called COMP360 as a US FDA breakthrough psychological therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Note: Potential competition when it makes it to market trying to compete with Usona Institute’s psilocybin (since non-profits may provide psilocybin products at cost or for free, undermining potential market for COMP360)
Mind Medicine (MMED:CN)
Developing drugs from ibogaine and ayahuasca, and study LSD, MDMA, etc
Field Trip (FTRP:CN)
Setting up trial ketamine infusion (quick relief that lasts a few days or weeks) clinics (i.e. horse tranquilliser) therapy as a legal anaesthetic with antidepressant and psychedelic properties in low doses. Aims for proprietary psychedelic mental health trials in 2022.
Silo Wellness (FlyOverture Equity Inc)
Startup from Oregon in 2019 created a magic mushroom (psilocybin mushroom or psychedelic mushroom) metered dosing spray for consumer micro-dosing, claiming it will address issues with consuming mushrooms (dosage reliability, stomach upset, accessibility), and is in 2020 organising ketamine-assisted wellness retreats. They intend to expand operations and sales elsewhere if they legalize mushrooms. In August 2020 they executed an agreement to amalgamate with Yukoterre Resources Inc (CSE:YT). Oregon Measure 109 has authorised the Oregon Health Authority to permit licensed service providers to administer psilocybin in therapeutic settings.
Non-Profits
(sponsored by government (US FDA) for larger trials as breakthrough therapies)
Usona Institute
Testing psilocybin for depression
Multidisciplinary Assoc. for Psych Studies (MAPS)
Trialing MDMA (ecstasy) for PTSD
Others
Spravato
Proprietary FDA-approved ketamine nasal micro-dosing spray by Johnson & Johnson for $850/dose, but trials didn’t prove more effective than generic ketamine shot for ~$3/dose.
Polaris Insight Center
Offering Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD/trauma, addictions, chronic pain syndromes
Notes
- Cannabis stock boom in 2018, following medical marijuana
- Historically psychedelics were banned in 1970, and the current interest is for psychiatrists (not recreational)
- Psychedelics require effectively controlled dosages and have adverse effects (i.e. hallucination, HPPD, drowsiness, dizziness and distorted perception, paranoia, confusion, and lack of coordination). They are believed to increase focus and concentration when taken in limited quantities. Higher doses have a psychedelic-like effect that can help patients achieve psychotherapeutic breakthroughs and long-lasting relief.
- Does the benefits of legalising psychedelics now outweigh the cost due to their adverse effects given the consequences of the pandemic?
