Scientists, drug developers and health leaders are gathering in New Orleans this week for two events that spotlight the continually growing world of psychedelic medicine.
The 6th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics & Drug Development Conference opens today, Feb. 26, at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. Organizers from Arrowhead Sci-Tech expect more than 200 attendees, including CEOs from companies such as Definium Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: DFTX) (FRA: MMQ0) and COMPASS Pathways PLC (NASDAQ: CMPS) (FRA: 5Y6), researchers from Stanford and Johns Hopkins, and experts from the FDA and NIH.
Compass Chief Patient Officer Steve Levine is giving a presentation on the mental health implications of psychedelics on Thursday.
A couple of hours later, Johns Hopkins researcher Sean Goldy will be delivering a talk about the impact facilitators have on psychedelic therapy sessions. His findings are backed by extensive psilocybin study data from the school’s Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. A colleague of his from Johns Hopkins University, Sandeep Nayak, will also be leading a session on scientific evidence surrounding microdosing during Friday’s proceedings.
Other participants will dive straight into real-world challenges. Debates centred on clinical trial design, regulatory hurdles, IP strategies and manufacturing issues will be at the forefront. Additionally, ways to bring new psychedelic treatments to patients who struggle with depression, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain and inflammation will be a top priority.
More than 40 speakers will share fresh clinical data and preclinical findings while attendees network to spark partnerships that speed drug approval. Topics range from DMT therapy and ibogaine for opioid use disorder to non-hallucinogenic psychedelics and potential applications for treating Parkinson’s with psychoactive compounds.
The following day, Feb. 27, the International Society for Research on Psychedelics (ISRP) is launching its Biennial Conference just blocks away at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. This meeting runs through Mar. 1 and draws academic researchers focused on classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD.
At this nearby overlapping event, scientists will deliver oral presentations and display posters that explore how these compounds change brain activity and behaviour.
ISRP keeps its program strictly scientific, free from policy debates. It publishes a peer-reviewed journal that shares new findings with the global research community.
These events will enable industry leaders and academics to swap ideas and build collaborations that could move promising therapies forward. Organizers likely chose New Orleans because the city already hosts active psychedelic researchers, including teams at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. A professor from this research hub, Charles Nichols, will be giving a presentation on psychedelic drug development for non-psychiatric indications.
Sponsors and exhibitors, from biotech startups to established pharma firms, fill the halls because they see clear momentum. Companies now run late-stage trials, investors pour in funding, and regulators weigh rescheduling proposals that could ease research restrictions.
Read more: Non-profit Heroic Hearts publishes psychedelics guide for veterans
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