Pharma and biotech giant Johnson & Johnson announced it’s buying Intra-Cellular Therapies for $14.6 billion.  

Intra-Cellular Therapies is a biopharmaceutical company focused on small molecule drugs that primarily address neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders by targeting intracellular signaling mechanisms in the central nervous system. Its pipeline includes drugs and therapies for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Parkinson’s Disease, and Opioid Use Disorder. The company is also the maker of CAPLYTA, which is an FDA-approved, once-daily pill that offers symptom relief from bipolar I and bipolar II depression. 

The multi-billion-dollar acquisition is the biggest biotech acquisition since 2023. Here’s more: https://ir.intracellulartherapies.com/news-releases/news-release-details/johnson-johnson-strengthens-neuroscience-leadership-acquisition

A third person received an implant from Elon Musk’s Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) company, Neuralink.  

If you’re unfamiliar, Neuralink is a brain-computer interface that can monitor and stimulate brain activity to help patients with paralysis communicate and regain control over their limbs, prosthetics, or communicate with devices. 

In addition to Neuralink, there are a handful of other BCI companies currently testing their own technologies and systems. One of the most recent trials resulted in a paralyzed man from the Netherlands regaining his ability to walk after researchers used two implants to restore communication between his brain and spinal cord.

After the announcement of the third successful Neuralink implant, Musk said the company plans to implant the device in as many as 30 more people this year.  Check it out: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/neuralink-implant-elon-musk-brain-b2678901.html

Cybin, Inc. announced the launch of its first strategic partnership agreement with Segal Trials to further the company’s Phase 3 program evaluating CYB003 for the adjunctive treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

Segal Trials is a privately held network of six research sites throughout South Florida conducting Phase I-IV research trials with emphasis on psychiatry, neurology, addiction, general medicine, infectious diseases, vaccines, and psychedelics.

Here’s what CEO Doug Drysdale had to say about the partnership…

Following the release of our remarkable Phase 2 data, which demonstrated that two 16-mg doses of CYB003 administered three weeks apart provided remission from depression symptoms for 12 months for the majority of patients, we are excited that our Phase 3 multinational pivotal program is underway. We intend to enroll approximately 550 patients across more than 40 clinical sites in the United States and Europe and believe that the engagement with Segal Trails, and other SPAs with leading clinical partners, will advance our clinical program on an expedited basis.CYB003 is a proprietary deuterated psilocin molecule. Psilocin is part of a family of molecules called indoleamines that are structurally similar to neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and acts as a 5-HT_2A receptor agonist.

CYB003 is a new chemical entity (NCE) and has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the adjunctive treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.   Here’s more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cybin-launches-strategic-clinical-partnerships-170700548.html

Did you know that an international team of scientists has developed a method to weaken negative memories by reactivating positive ones, potentially transforming treatments for trauma-related mental health issues?

According to a study released last summer, researchers asked 37 participants to link random nonsense words with emotionally charged negative images. These images were carefully chosen from databases of aversive content, including depictions of injuries and threatening animals. Once these associations were formed, half of the words were “reprogrammed” by linking them to more uplifting images, such as serene landscapes or smiling faces.

During the second night of the experiment, researchers also played audio recordings of the nonsense words during a sleep phase known for its role in consolidating memories: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.  Brain activity was monitored using electroencephalography, revealing spikes in theta-band activity, which is associated with emotional memory processing. This process actually appeared to weaken participants’ recall of negative memories and increase the likelihood of involuntary positive recollections. Here’s more on the study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2400678121