The future of MDD treatment: A comparative table highlighting the emergence of fast-acting therapies

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The treatment landscape for major depressive disorder (MDD) continues to diversify, and in the coming years, psychedelic options may be available, including COMPASS Pathways COMP360 and the deuterated psilocybin analog CYB003 from Cybin. CYB003 demonstrated a significant -14.08 point reduction in MADRS score, a 53.3% response rate, and a 20% remission rate at a 12mg dose in interim results from its phase 2 study.

The potential of faster-acting more effective therapies

While it is difficult to compare the results from disparate clinical trials, some broad patterns emerge when viewing data from current treatment options and drugs now in clinical development for MDD (see table below). In contrast, newer treatment options, especially psychedelic therapies such as CYB003 and COMP360, demonstrate potentially faster onset and greater magnitude of symptom reduction.

The promise of NMDA and dopamine rec…
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  • November 9, 2023
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FDA publishes draft guidance for psychedelic drug development

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In a sign of shifting attitudes, the FDA has released draft guidance to facilitate the development of psychedelic drugs. Historically, psychedelics have a long history of use in certain cultures, such as the indigenous tribes of the Amazon Basin and Native American communities, for millennia as sacraments.These substances were used not only recreationally but also experimentally. One example is MK-Ultra, a covert U.S. government research program that explored using LSD for mind control. The Manson Family, notorious for its cult-like crimes in the late 1960s, also contributed to psychedelics’ notoriety.

This complex history, along with social and political responses to the countercultural revolution of the 1960s, contributed to a backlash against these substances. Classic psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT experienced a swift fall from mainstream favor after the 196…

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  • June 23, 2023
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