AbbVie acquires bretisilocin for up to $1.2 billion, marking a significant move in psychedelic treatments.
• AbbVie acquires bretisilocin for up to $1.2 billion in August 2025.
• Marks first traditional pharma purchase of an investigational psychedelic drug.
• Reflects growing interest in psychedelics despite FDA’s MDMA rejection.
Background
AbbVie’s acquisition of bretisilocin from Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals for up to $1.2 billion in August 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the pharmaceutical industry’s approach to psychedelic treatments. This deal is the first instance of a traditional pharmaceutical company purchasing an investigational psychedelic drug, indicating a shift in industry attitudes. Despite the Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD last year, interest in psychedelics continues to grow. Read more about the acquisition.
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News details
The acquisition follows the success of Janssen’s Spravato, a depression treatment that generated $780 million in sales during the first three quarters of 2024. Spravato remains the only legal psychedelic psychiatric treatment currently available. This success has prompted other pharmaceutical companies to explore potential deals in the psychedelic space. Kabir Nath, CEO of Compass Pathways, noted that this acquisition serves as validation for the sector.
Market impact
The interest in psychedelics presents both risks and opportunities, particularly for companies focused on psychiatric treatments. Currently, several biotechs have psychedelic compounds in Phase 2 or later trials, and larger pharmaceutical companies are increasingly interested in this field. Josh Hardman, founder of Psychedelic Alpha, highlighted the surge in interest from larger pharma companies over the past six months.
Outlook
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to explore psychedelics, the potential for new treatments and market growth is significant. The acquisition of bretisilocin by AbbVie could pave the way for further investments and developments in this area. For more insights into market trends and financial impacts, visit our Insights hub.