Delix raises $100M for depression drug without psychedelic trips
Delix Therapeutics has secured $100 million in Series C funding to advance zalsupindole, a non-hallucinatory psychedelic therapy designed to treat major depressive disorder. Backed by Johnson & Johnson, the company plans to start a Phase 2b clinical trial in 2027.
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Background
Delix Therapeutics, a Boston-based biotech born from a University of California lab in 2019, focuses on developing neuroplastogens, a class of drugs aimed at regrowing lost brain connections without causing traditional psychedelic trips.
Details
The newly raised $100 million Series C round was led by J&J's venture arm, with participation from several other investors. The funds will primarily advance its lead oral candidate, zalsupindole, which is based on a naturally occurring compound found in plants and toad secretions. Delix reported positive Phase 1b safety data in healthy volunteers in late 2024 and aims to launch a Phase 2b trial for major depressive disorder in the first half of 2027.
Impact
Beyond depression, the capital will support the pipeline's expansion into other neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The deal arrives amid renewed industry momentum, highlighted by recent high-profile acquisitions and regulatory focus on psychedelic-based mental health treatments.
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