AbbVie and Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals today announced a definitive agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Gilgamesh's lead investigational candidate, currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD).
Psychedelic compounds, including 5-HT2A receptor agonists, have gained recognition as potential treatments for mental health disorders, such as MDD, because of their demonstrated rapid, robust and durable antidepressant effects. However, existing agents in this class are hampered by their long duration of psychoactive experience.
Bretisilocin, a 5-HT2A receptor agonist and 5-HT releaser, is a novel, next-generation psychedelic compound designed to address development challenges observed within this class of compounds. Bretisilocin has been shown to exert a shorter duration of psychoactive experience, while retaining an extended therapeutic benefit.
"The field of psychiatry represents one of the most challenging areas in medicine, with a significant need for innovative solutions," said Roopal Thakkar, M.D., executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie. "This acquisition underscores our commitment to broadening and enhancing psychiatric care by investing in novel treatment approaches with the potential to reach patients for whom other treatments have been ineffective. We look forward to advancing bretisilocin to late-stage clinical development."
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will acquire Gilgamesh's bretisilocin program for up to $1.2 billion, inclusive of an upfront payment and development milestones. Additionally, as part of the transaction, Gilgamesh will spin off a new entity that will operate under the name Gilgamesh Pharma Inc. to hold its employees and other programs, including its oral NMDA receptor antagonist blixeprodil (GM-1020), cardio-safe ibogaine analog, M1/M4 agonist program and existing collaboration with AbbVie. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
