AbbVie Completes Acquisition Of Gilgamesh’s Bretisilocin, Advancing Next-Generation Depression Therapy

AbbVie has announced the completion of its acquisition of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals’ lead investigational therapy, bretisilocin, a next-generation compound targeting major depressive disorder (MDD).

Bretisilocin is a novel, short-acting serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist and 5-HT releaser currently in Phase 2 clinical development for patients with moderate-to-severe MDD. Unlike traditional psychedelic compounds, bretisilocin is engineered to overcome the limitations of classic psychedelics, offering a more controlled and potentially safer therapeutic approach for depression treatment.

"Recent clinical results have demonstrated the potential of bretisilocin to treat patients living with MDD," said Daniel Mikol, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, neuroscience development, AbbVie. "With the acquisition now complete, we look forward to accelerating the development of this next-generation compound, reinforcing AbbVie's commitment to delivering innovative, science-driven treatment options for people living with serious mental health conditions."

This acquisition aligns with AbbVie’s strategy to expand its neuroscience pipeline, reinforcing its commitment to tackling serious mental health conditions. The company continues to focus on delivering innovative therapies across key therapeutic areas such as immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, alongside its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio, aiming to make a lasting impact on patient outcomes worldwide.