Psychedelic Biotech in 2025: What’s Next?
Featuring Florian Brand and Lars Wilde, Co-Founders of atai Life Sciences (now AtaiBeckley) and Compass Pathways
From Our Friends at Psychedelic Vantage
In the latest episode of the Psychedelic Vantage Podcast, Host Jake Slomowitz speaks with Florian Brand and Lars Wilde, Co-Founders of atai Life Sciences (now AtaiBeckley) and Compass Pathways. In this conversation, theuy discuss their backgrounds, what led them into psychedelic drug development, and what inspired them to start two of the most influential companies in the space.
They also cover the major developments of the past year, including AbbVie’s up to $1.2 billion acquisition of Bretisilocin, what we know about the compound, the type of psychedelic experience it produces, and why the deal terms were so significant. Florian and Lars share their views on what this deal means for future M&A activity, potential licensing opportunities, and whether multiple short, medium, and long-duration psychedelics can succeed commercially.
Additionally, they discuss efficacy in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) versus Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), opportunities for psychedelics beyond depression such as substance use disorders, TBI, and pain, and the data needed to expand into new indications. Florian and Lars then close the episode by sharing what they are most looking forward to in the coming months and years in psychedelic medicine.
Link to Florian and Lars' Substack: https://brandflorian.substack.com/
Psychedelic Vantage is a platform, webseries and podcast hosted by founder Jake Slomowitz. It features conversations with leading figures in the psychedelic startup space, venturing into the world of psychedelic drug development, research, investing, and more.
