MindBio: Microdosed Psychedelic Yields Long-Term Depression Relief

MindBio Therapeutics has emerged as the latest biotechnology company to produce promising data supporting the use of psychedelics in treating behavioral disorders. The Australian-based biotech has revealed that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) continues to show lasting benefits for patients dealing with major depressive disorder (MDD) months after treatment.

The company conducted a Phase IIa clinical trial involving 20 patients diagnosed with MDD. These participants received a sub-hallucinogenic microdose of LSD every three days over the course of eight weeks. By the end of the treatment period, approximately 50% of the participants experienced a complete remission of their depressive symptoms. The mean reduction on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale was noted to be 14.1 points, indicating a significant improvement.

On a recent Monday, MindBio disclosed that the antidepressant effects of LSD were still present three months after the final dose was administered. Impressively, there was an average reduction of 62.8% in depressive symptoms among the patients.

The positive outcomes from MindBio's clinical trial come at a challenging time for another company in the psychedelic space, Lykos Therapeutics. Lykos has faced significant setbacks with its MDMA-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected Lykos' drug, and three articles detailing mid-stage data for the treatment were retracted from the journal Psychopharmacology. These events led to a drastic reduction in the company's workforce by 75%.

In contrast to Lykos' approach, which combines the experimental treatment with psychotherapy in a clinical setting, MindBio has developed a microdose formulation of LSD called MB22001 that is designed to be self-administered at home. The company posits that this method could potentially be more scalable, effective, and affordable than other psychedelic treatments currently being tested, which often involve hallucinogenic doses and require in-patient supervision for extended periods.

MindBio is not stopping with just MDD. In March, the company initiated an 80-patient Phase IIb study to further investigate the efficacy of LSD in treating MDD. Additionally, they are exploring the potential of LSD to treat premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, expanding the scope of their research into other areas where psychedelics might offer therapeutic benefits.

The recent developments by MindBio illustrate a growing interest and progress in the use of psychedelics for mental health disorders. While challenges remain, particularly as seen with Lykos Therapeutics, the data from MindBio provides a glimpse into the potential future of depression treatment. The continuation of their research and the upcoming results from the Phase IIb trial will be crucial in determining the long-term viability and efficacy of LSD as a treatment option for MDD and possibly other conditions.