Lykos’ heartache over FDA setback as new trial for groundbreaking PTSD treatment ordered

The FDA has determined that the drug, aimed at treating PTSD, cannot be approved without further data and has requested an additional phase 3 trial to reassess its safety and efficacy.

This decision comes after an FDA Advisory Committee meeting in June, where concerns were raised about the durability of midomafetamine’s effects and potential biases in the trial stemming from participants with prior MDMA use. Lykos Therapeutics, which has been at the forefront of pioneering psychedelic-assisted therapy, expressed disappointment at the FDA's demand for more data but remains resolute in its mission to bring new treatment options to the 13 million Americans suffering from PTSD.

“The FDA request for another study is deeply disappointing, not just for all those who dedicated their lives to this pioneering effort, but principally for the millions of Americans with PTSD, along with their loved ones, who have not seen any new treatment options in over two decades,” Amy Emerson, CEO of Lykos Therapeutics.

“While conducting another phase 3 study would take several years, we still maintain that many of the requests that had been previously discussed with the FDA and raised at the Advisory Committee meeting can be addressed with existing data.”

The CRL echoes the concerns raised during the Advisory Committee meeting, including questions about the role of psychotherapy in the treatment and whether the benefits of midomafetamine-assisted therapy are solely drug-induced or enhanced by the psychological support provided. Despite these challenges, Lykos plans to meet with the FDA to seek reconsideration and explore every possible regulatory pathway to bring this potentially life-changing treatment to those in need.

Lykos Therapeutics, known for its advocacy of psychedelic medicine, was the first company to submit an NDA for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, marking a significant milestone in mental health treatment. The company’s efforts reflect a broader push within the medical community to explore innovative treatments for mental health conditions that have long resisted traditional therapies.

“Our heart breaks for the millions of military veterans, first responders, victims of sexual and domestic abuse, and countless others suffering from PTSD who may now face more years without access to new treatment options," Emerson added.

"We intend to work tirelessly and use all available regulatory pathways to find a reasonable and expeditious path forward for patients who deserve access to midomafetamine-assisted therapy for PTSD."

The FDA’s decision is a setback not only for Lykos but for the entire field of psychedelic research, which has seen promising results in recent years. Jennifer Mitchell, professor of neurology and psychiatry at UCSF, who was involved in the trials, expressed her disappointment.

She said: “The FDA's decision to request another Phase 3 study is a major setback for the field. Over the course of many years, the researchers, with the support of our sponsor, Lykos, developed and executed phase 3 studies that we believe demonstrated the approvability of this treatment.”

With no new drug treatments for PTSD approved by the FDA in over two decades, the stakes are high. PTSD continues to be a debilitating condition, affecting not only military personnel but also millions of others who have experienced traumatic events. The economic burden of PTSD in the United States alone is estimated at over $232 billion annually, further underscoring the urgency for effective treatments.

As Lykos prepares to address the FDA's concerns, the company remains committed to its mission. The road ahead may be long, but for the millions of PTSD sufferers awaiting new hope, Lykos’ efforts represent a beacon of possibility in an otherwise bleak treatment landscape.