Lilly Nears Deal for Psychedelic Drugmaker AtaiBeckley

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Lilly Nears Deal for Psychedelic Drugmaker AtaiBeckley

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Eli Lilly & Co. is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire AtaiBeckley Inc., a New York-based drugmaker specializing in psychedelic medicine. This potential acquisition highlights a growing trend among large pharmaceutical companies to invest in psychedelic compounds for mental health treatments.

AtaiBeckley was established in November 2025 through the merger of Germany’s Atai Life Sciences and UK-based Beckley Psytech, a transaction valued at $390 million. The combined entity boasts a pipeline of investigational psychedelic treatments, with its lead candidate being BPL-003 (mebufotenin benzoate nasal spray). This drug is intended for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and is slated to begin Phase 3 trials in the second quarter of 2026, following positive results from a Phase 2b study in July 2025. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted BPL-003 Breakthrough Therapy designation.

Beyond BPL-003, AtaiBeckley’s pipeline includes VLS-01 for TRD and EMP-01 for social anxiety disorder, both in mid-clinical stages. The company also has a portfolio of novel 5-HT2A receptor agonists, including non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens, in preclinical development. The interest from major pharmaceutical players like Eli Lilly underscores a broader shift in the perception of psychedelic drugs, which are increasingly being recognized for their potential in treating serious mental health conditions. The FDA has also

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