Phase 2b trial of toad‑venom psychedelic shows modest benefit for treatment‑resistant depression
A phase 2b randomized trial funded by AtaiBeckley, an Eli Lilly subsidiary, tested intranasal mebufotenin (5‑MeO‑DMT) in 193 patients with treatment‑resistant depression. An 8 mg dose improved depression scores and was deemed safe, leading the company to advance that dose to a phase 3 program. Remission rates after about a month were reported between 18 % and 26 %, with most adverse events mild or moderate.
Why it matters
Eli Lilly said the results are encouraging and will guide its upcoming phase 3 evaluation of BPL‑003, potentially adding a new psychedelic‑based therapy to its pipeline. Investors should watch for further data that could affect the company’s future revenue prospects from psychiatric drugs.
Key facts
- 1The trial enrolled 193 participants with moderate to severe major depression. sciencealert.com
- 2Participants received a single nasal‑spray dose of 0.3 mg, 8 mg, or 12 mg mebufotenin benzoate. sciencealert.com
- 3The 8 mg dose showed the best balance of safety and efficacy and will move to phase 3. sciencealert.com
- 4Remission rates at about one month were between 18 % and 26 % for the active dose, versus 8 % for placebo. newsweek.com
- 5Adverse events were mostly mild or moderate, including headaches in ~30 % of participants, nausea in ~24 %, and nasal pain in ~16 %. newsweek.com
- 6The study was funded by AtaiBeckley, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly. sciencealert.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 2 of 2 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.