Atai’s DMT Depression Drug Shows Promise, Prepares For Phase II Trial And Future Collaboration With Pharma Giant
Atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ATAI) announced promising preliminary results on Tuesday for its DMT-based depression therapy, VLS-01. As BioSpace reported, these findings from a Phase Ib study position Atai to move forward with a Phase II trial later this year, targeting patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Promising Phase Ib Results For DMT-Based Depression Therapy
VLS-01, an oral formulation of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is designed to be administered via a buccal film applied to the lining of the cheek. This delivery method aims to induce a short, controlled psychedelic experience, potentially offering relief to those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The active ingredient is different from other psychedelic therapies, such as Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA, which was recently rejected by the FDA, or Compass Pathways’ psilocybin treatments, VLS-01 provides a unique approach to addressing mental health challenges, say company officials.
The Phase Ib Study
The research involved 17 healthy volunteers, who received a single intravenous dose of DMT followed by three different doses of the buccal formulation, …