AbbVie Acquires Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' Psychedelic Candidate Bretisilocin

AbbVie has completed the acquisition of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' investigational compound bretisilocin, announced in a press release. The compound is a novel, short-acting serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist and 5-HT releaser currently in Phase 2 clinical development for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder.

Bretisilocin is designed as a next-generation psychedelic compound intended to address challenges seen with traditional psychedelics. AbbVie stated that recent clinical data suggest the compound has potential as a treatment for patients with major depressive disorder.

With the acquisition finalized, AbbVie plans to accelerate bretisilocin’s development as part of its psychiatry pipeline expansion.