AbbVie to Acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' Bretisilocin, a Novel, Investigational Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder, Expanding Psychiatry Pipeline

Core Viewpoint - AbbVie has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' lead investigational candidate, bretisilocin, which is in clinical development for treating moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD) [1][6]. Company Overview - AbbVie is focused on discovering and delivering innovative medicines across key therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, and aims to enhance psychiatric care through novel treatment approaches [5][9]. - Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotech company developing new chemical entities for psychiatric diseases, emphasizing rapid-acting and durable therapies [11]. Product Development - Bretisilocin is a next-generation psychedelic compound designed to provide a shorter duration of psychoactive experience while maintaining extended therapeutic benefits [3][10]. - Recent Phase 2a study results for bretisilocin showed a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms, with a -21.6 point change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 14 for a 10mg dose compared to a -12.1 point change for a low dose comparator [4][10]. Financial Terms - The acquisition deal is valued at up to $1.2 billion, which includes an upfront payment and development milestones [6]. - Gilgamesh will create a new entity, Gilgamesh Pharma Inc., to manage its remaining programs and employees as part of the transaction [6][7]. Strategic Importance - The acquisition reflects AbbVie's commitment to advancing innovative treatments in psychiatry, addressing the significant need for effective solutions in this challenging medical field [5][6]. - The collaboration between AbbVie and Gilgamesh builds on their previous agreement to develop next-generation therapies for psychiatric disorders [7].