309: Psychedelics at the FDA, ASCO recap, & MorphoSys update
Jun 6, 2024
auto_awesome
STAT colleague Meghana Keshavan dissects Lykos Therapeutics' meeting with FDA. Topics include challenges in FDA approval for psychedelic therapy, Novartis's acquisition of Morphosis, ASCO conference reflections, and FDA advisory panel vote against MDMA for PTSD.
FDA advisory committee raised concerns about MDMA trial design, impacting its use for PTSD treatment.
Challenges in psychedelic therapy trials underscore the importance of improved trial designs and transparency in research.
Deep dives
Debate Over MDMA for Treating PTSD
A panel of FDA advisors voted against using the psychedelic MDMA for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The negative vote was influenced by concerns about the study's design and conduct rather than a verdict on MDMA's effectiveness. The trial had issues with patient selection, bias, lack of blinding, and missing safety data despite positive outcomes.
Implications for Lycos Therapeutics and Psychedelics Field
The decision regarding Lycos Therapeutics revealed challenges in conducting psychedelic therapy trials. Allegations of data suppression and clinical trial misconduct were also raised. The decision serves as a learning opportunity for the entire psychedelics field, with companies like Compass Pathways and MindMed focusing on better trial designs.
Future of Psychedelic Medicines
Despite the setback for MDMA therapy, companies in the psychedelics space remain optimistic about the future of psychedelic medicines in psychiatry. Lessons learned from the Lycos Therapeutics case will shape future clinical trials in the field. Compass Pathways and MindMed are among the companies advancing psychedelic treatments and improving trial designs.
STAT colleague Meghana Keshavan joins us to dissect Lykos Therapeutics' meeting with an FDA advisory committee. We also discuss the latest news in the health and life sciences, including stories from major biotech conferences.
To learn more about Lykos' advisory committee meeting, go here; for more on the tumult at BIO, go here; for a recap of ASCO, go here; to read the latest on Novartis' acquisition of MorphoSys, go here. And you can sign up for Adam’s new newsletter, Biotech Scorecard, here.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode