Delix Therapeutics

Last updated
Delix Therapeutics, Inc. ("Delix")
Company typePrivate
Industry
Founded2019
HeadquartersBoston, Massachusetts
Key people
Mark Rus (Chief Executive Officer)
Website https://www.delixtherapeutics.com

Delix Therapeutics is an American biotech company based in Boston, Massachusetts. [1] The company develops novel neuroplasticity-promoting therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [2] It was co-founded in 2019 by David E. Olson and Nick Haft. [3]

Contents

Company History

The company was founded to develop novel, non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens, also known as neuroplastogens, to better treat mental health disorders at scale. David E. Olson founded the company following his discovery that psychedelics are highly potent neuroplasticity-promoting compounds. [2] In September 2021, Delix secured a Series A financing round, the largest in the space, to continue their work focused on neuroplastogens and neuroplasticity therapeutics. [4] Also in Fall of 2021, Delix joined the National Institute on Drug Abuse industry partnering program to screen psychoplastogens in models of substance use disorder. [2] In 2021, the company expanded the leadership team, adding a new CEO, [5] CSO, [1] and CMO [1]

Awards

In 2021, Delix was named one of the Fierce 15 of Biotech [6] . In 2022, Nature named Delix Spinout of the Year [7] and Delix was awarded the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) ACE award [8] . In 2023, Delix was a finalist for the Prix Galien award for Best Startup [9] and the BWB award for Biotech Innovation of the Year [10] and won the Biotech Breakthrough Award for Neuroscience Therapeutics Company of the Year [11] .

Product Candidates

To date, the company has synthesized over 2000 novel psychoplastogens. [12] Many of these small molecule compounds are analogs of known psychedelics such as ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. [13] Delix focuses on the development of non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens as scalable alternatives to first-generation hallucinogenic psychoplastogens like ketamine and psilocybin. [14]  Their compounds have been engineered to lack cardiotoxicity and psychostimulant properties characteristic of other first-generation psychoplastogens. [15] Two of the company’s known scaffolds are tabernanthalog and AAZ-A-154. [16] Delix has licensed these compounds from UC Davis. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LSD</span> Hallucinogenic drug

Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, and known colloquially as acid or lucy is a potent psychedelic drug. Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. At sufficiently high dosages LSD manifests primarily mental, visual, and auditory hallucinations. Dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, and increased body temperature are typical. Effects typically begin within half an hour and can last for up to 20 hours. LSD is also capable of causing mystical experiences and ego dissolution. It is used mainly as a recreational drug or for spiritual reasons. LSD is both the prototypical psychedelic and one of the "classical" psychedelics, being the psychedelic with the greatest scientific and cultural significance. LSD is synthesized as a solid compound, typically in the form of a powder or a crystalline material. This solid LSD is then dissolved in a liquid solvent, such as ethanol or distilled water, to create a solution. The liquid serves as a carrier for the LSD, allowing for accurate dosage and administration onto small pieces of blotter paper called tabs. LSD is typically either swallowed or held under the tongue. In pure form, LSD is clear or white in color, has no smell, and is crystalline. It breaks down with exposure to ultraviolet light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psilocybin</span> Chemical compound found in some species of mushrooms

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of fungi. The most potent are members of genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens, but psilocybin has also been isolated from about a dozen other genera. Psilocybin is itself biologically inactive but is quickly converted by the body to psilocin, which has mind-altering effects similar, in some aspects, to those of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). In general, the effects include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. It can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychedelic drug</span> Hallucinogenic class of psychoactive drug

Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states and an apparent expansion of consciousness. Also referred to as classic hallucinogens or serotonergic hallucinogens, the term psychedelic is sometimes used more broadly to include various types of hallucinogens, such as those which are atypical or adjacent to psychedelia like salvia and MDMA, respectively. This article makes use of the narrower classical definition of psychedelics. Classic psychedelics generally cause specific psychological, visual, and auditory changes, and oftentimes a substantially altered state of consciousness. They have had the largest influence on science and culture, and include mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, and DMT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biogen</span> Pharmaceutical company

Biogen Inc. is an American multinational biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States specializing in the discovery, development, and delivery of therapies for the treatment of neurological diseases to patients worldwide. Biogen operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Psychedelic therapy refers to the proposed use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ayahuasca, to treat mental disorders. As of 2021, psychedelic drugs are controlled substances in most countries and psychedelic therapy is not legally available outside clinical trials, with some exceptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lysergamides</span> Class of chemical compounds

Amides of lysergic acid are collectively known as lysergamides, and include a number of compounds with potent agonist and/or antagonist activity at various serotonin and dopamine receptors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibogaine</span> Psychoactive substance found in plants in the family Apocynaceae

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in plants in the family Apocynaceae such as Tabernanthe iboga, Voacanga africana, and Tabernaemontana undulata. It is a psychedelic with dissociative properties.

κ-opioid receptor Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens, named for ketazocine

The κ-opioid receptor or kappa opioid receptor, abbreviated KOR or KOP for its ligand ketazocine, is a G protein-coupled receptor that in humans is encoded by the OPRK1 gene. The KOR is coupled to the G protein Gi/G0 and is one of four related receptors that bind opioid-like compounds in the brain and are responsible for mediating the effects of these compounds. These effects include altering nociception, consciousness, motor control, and mood. Dysregulation of this receptor system has been implicated in alcohol and drug addiction.

Hallucinogens are a large and diverse class of psychoactive drugs that can produce altered states of consciousness characterized by major alterations in thought, mood, and perception as well as other changes. Most hallucinogens can be categorized as either being psychedelics, dissociatives, or deliriants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AL-34662</span> Chemical compound

AL-34662 is an indazole derivative drug that is being developed for the treatment of glaucoma. It acts as a selective 5-HT2A receptor agonist, the same target as that of psychedelic drugs like psilocin, but unlike these drugs, AL-34662 was designed specifically as a peripherally selective drug, which does not cross the blood–brain barrier. This means that AL-34662 can exploit a useful side effect of the hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonists, namely reduction in intra-ocular pressure and hence relief from the symptoms of glaucoma, but without causing the hallucinogenic effects that make centrally active 5-HT2A agonists unsuitable for clinical use. In animal studies, AL-34662 has been shown to be potent and effective in the treatment of symptoms of glaucoma, with minimal side effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychoactive drug</span> Chemical substance that alters nervous system function

A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, psychoactive agent, or psychotropic drug is a chemical substance that changes the function of the nervous system and results in alterations of perception, mood, cognition, and behavior. These substances may be used medically, recreationally, for spiritual reasons, or for research. Some categories of psychoactive drugs may be prescribed by physicians and other healthcare practitioners because of their therapeutic value.

Iboga-type alkaloids are a set of monoterpene indole alkaloids comprising naturally occurring compounds found in Tabernanthe and Tabernaemontana, as well as synthetic structural analogs. Naturally occurring iboga-type alkaloids include ibogamine, ibogaine, tabernanthine, and other substituted ibogamines (see below). Many iboga-type alkaloids display biological activities such as cardiac toxicity and psychoactive effects, and some have been studied as potential treatments for drug addiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Thornberry</span>

Nancy A. Thornberry is the founding CEO and current chair, R&D at Kallyope Inc. in New York City. She previously worked with Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), joining the company in 1979 as a biochemist and retiring from the position of senior vice president and franchise head, diabetes and endocrinology in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabernanthalog</span> Chemical compound

Tabernanthalog (TBG) is a novel water-soluble, non-toxic azepinoindole analog of the psychoactive drug ibogaine first synthesized by Professor David E. Olson at UC Davis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AAZ-A-154</span> Chemical compound

AAZ-A-154 is a novel isotryptamine derivative which acts as a 5-HT2A receptor agonist discovered and synthesized by the lab of Professor David E. Olson at UCDavis. Animal studies suggest that it produces antidepressant effects without the psychedelic action typical of drugs from this class. In tests, AAZ-A-154 had antidepressant effects in mice without causing the head-twitch response linked to hallucinogenic effects. Due to the rapidly-induced and enduring neuroplasticity, AAZ-A-154 is a member of the class of compounds known as non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens. This compound, as well as related compounds, are licensed by Delix Therapeutics and are being developed as potential medicines for neuropsychiatric disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MindMed</span> Psychedelic medicine biotech company

Mind Medicine Inc., also known as MindMed, is a New York-based psychedelic medicine biotech company that develops psychedelic-inspired medicines known as psychoplastogens and therapies to address addiction and mental illness.

Psychoplastogens are a group of small molecule drugs that produce rapid and sustained effects on neuronal structure and function, intended to manifest therapeutic benefit after a single administration. Several existing psychoplastogens have been identified and their therapeutic effects demonstrated; several are presently at various stages of development as medications including Ketamine, MDMA, Scopolamine, and the serotonergic psychedelics, including LSD, psilocin, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Compounds of this sort are being explored as therapeutics for a variety of brain disorders including depression, addiction, and PTSD. The ability to rapidly promote neuronal changes via mechanisms of neuroplasticity was recently discovered as the common therapeutic activity and mechanism of action.

David E. Olson is an American chemist and neuroscientist. He is an associate professor of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular medicine at the University of California, Davis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6-Fluoro-DET</span> Chemical compound

6-Fluoro-DET is a substituted tryptamine derivative related to drugs such as DET and 5-fluoro-DET. It acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor, but while it produces similar physiological effects to psychedelic drugs, it does not appear to produce psychedelic effects itself even at high doses. For this reason it saw some use as an active placebo in early clinical trials of psychedelic drugs but was regarded as having little use otherwise, though more recent research into compounds such as AL-34662, TBG and AAZ-A-154 has shown that these kind of non-psychedelic 5-HT2A agonists can have various useful applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Carhart-Harris</span> British psychopharmacologist

Robin Lester Carhart-Harris is a British psychopharmacologist who is Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. Previously, he founded and was Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London.

References

  1. 1 2 3 LaHucik, Kyle (2021-09-27). "Delix raises $70M to test psychedelic analogs for treating brain disorders in clinical trials next year". Fierce Biotech. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  2. 1 2 3 Yakowicz, Will. "Delix Therapeutics Pursues A Psychedelic-Inspired Medicine Without The Trip". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
  3. ↑ "Harnessing Psychedelics for Healing". Comstock's magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  4. ↑ Salarizadeh, Cynthia (2022-03-11). "How Capital Markets Are Fueling Psychedelic Medicine Growth". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  5. ↑ "Shire neuro head lands at Delix Therapeutics as CEO". FierceBiotech. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  6. ↑ https://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-report/fierce-biotech-s-2021-fierce-15-0
  7. ↑ Garber, Ken (19 August 2022). "Delix Therapeutics : psychedelics without the trip". Nature Biotechnology. doi:10.1038/d41587-022-00006-0. PMID   35986098. S2CID   251694020.
  8. ↑ "Delix Therapeutics and Pfizer UK Recognized as Gender Equity Champions for Women in the Workplace by Healthcare Businesswomen's Association" (Press release).
  9. ↑ "The Galien Foundation Announces 2023 Prix Galien USA Nominees for "Best Digital Health Solution," "Best Medical Technology," "Incubators, Accelerators and Equity," and "Best Startup"" (Press release).
  10. ↑ "Award Categories".
  11. ↑ "2023 Winners".
  12. ↑ Yakowicz, Will. "U.S. Government Will Test Ibogaine Derivative As An Addiction Treatment". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  13. ↑ Andy Extance2020-12-17T14:30:00+00:00. "Chemists tame shamanic addiction treatment". Chemistry World. Retrieved 2022-06-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "A new psychedelics player emerges to treat mental health disorders — minus the hallucinogenic effects". Endpoints News. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  15. ↑ scientificinquirer (2022-03-14). "Industry Matters: Delix Therapeutics is taking Next-Gen psychedelics out of the lab and into the clinic". Scientific Inquirer. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  16. ↑ Brown, Grace (6 March 2021). "Can we take the high out of psychedelics?". Wired UK.
  17. ↑ Peters, Jamie; Olson, David E (January 2021). "Engineering Safer Psychedelics for Treating Addiction". Neuroscience Insights. 16: 263310552110338. doi:10.1177/26331055211033847. PMC   8295933 . PMID   34350400.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.