Psy Therapeutics
Preclinical5 active candidates
2 shared indicationsPreclinical peer2 overlapping stagessame regulator: US FDA
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Lead program: Preclinical
Categories
1 domain / 2 areas / 1 specialization
2A Biosciences
Data updated
2 Drug Candidates
2A Biosciences is a drug discovery company developing Serotonergic Anti-Inflammatories (SAIs) — non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists that harness the peripheral anti-inflammatory properties of psychedelics without behavioural effects. Co-founded by pharmacologists Charles D. Nichols and David E. Nichols, the company's near-term programs target dermatological inflammatory conditions, with a broader platform addressing autoimmune and cardiovascular disease. The company has completed an oversubscribed seed round backed by biotech and psychedelic VCs.
Pipeline Intelligence
Developer Momentum
- Active candidates
- 2
- Active programmes
- 2
- Lead stage
- Preclinical
- Forecast coverage
- 2 of 2
All tracked candidates active
All tracked programmes active
Multiple active stages
2 active programmes with forecast fields
Latest sourced update
2A Biosciences — Pipeline & Milestones (Pitch.vc)
Jun 27, 2026 - industry-media - Pitch.vc - SAI NCE — Ophthalmology Nerve Regeneration (Lead) / SAI NCE — IND-Enabling Ophthalmology Nerve Regeneration
Next known catalyst
Pre-clinical started
Timing not specified - SAI Anti-Inflammatory Platform (CNS & Systemic) / SAI Anti-Inflammatory Platform - CNS/Systemic Discovery - Confidence: 35%
8 sources0 pipeline-linked trials0 pipeline-linked papers1 Preclinical1 Discovery
Development Programmes
2SAI NCE — Ophthalmology Nerve Regeneration (Lead)
Preclinical
Non-hallucinogenic selective 5-HT2A agonist (Serotonergic Anti-Inflammatory / SAI) for ophthalmology nerve regeneration. First company to demonstrate in vivo nerve regeneration via 5-HT2A modulation. Preclinical data: corneal nerve regeneration, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) protection in glaucoma model, resolved virus-induced ocular inflammation. Exceptional safety/tolerability with no adverse effects. Led by Allan Shepard (ex-Novartis/Alcon) and Tim Foster (LSU, NIH Transformative Research Award). PCT patent WO2024178425A1 covers 90+ hydroxyalkyl/methoxyalkyl tryptamine compounds.
Programme Tracker
Neurological Injury
Primary: US (FDA)
Pre-clinicalActive
IND-enabling studies underway (as of August 2025). Human clinical trials targeted for November 2026. Preclinical programme demonstrated corneal nerve regeneration, RGC protection in glaucoma, and resolution of ocular inflammation in animal models.
Milestones
Funding milestone
CompletedActual: Mar 14, 2023
$5.25M seed round closed. Investors include Lionheart Ventures, Palo Santo, Boost VC, Calm Ventures, Capital Factory, Gaingels, Healthspan Capital (12 investors total). SEC Form D filings show $3.78M reported; full round per Pitch.vc is $5.25M.
Why it matters: Seed funding provides runway for IND-enabling studies. Co-founder David Nichols (350+ publications, founded Heffter Research Institute) brings unparalleled scientific credibility in serotonin pharmacology.
ip-milestone
CompletedActual: Aug 29, 2024
PCT patent application WO2024178425A1 published: "Hydroxyalkyl and Methoxyalkyl Tryptamines." 90+ exemplary compounds. Covers 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists for atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, Crohn's, T2D, OCD, RA, schizophrenia, TBI, asthma, MS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, depression, anxiety, PTSD. Inventor: David E. Nichols.
Why it matters: Broad composition-of-matter patent covering 90+ novel tryptamine compounds with multi-indication claims. David Nichols as inventor carries exceptional weight given his 50+ year career defining serotonin pharmacology. Israel national phase entered (IL322951A, Oct 2025).
data-readout
CompletedActual: Nov 1, 2024
Preclinical breakthrough: demonstrated nerve regeneration in animal models via promotion of nerve growth factor and neuroplasticity through 5-HT2A modulation. Corneal nerve regeneration confirmed. RGC protection demonstrated in glaucoma model. Virus-induced ocular inflammation resolved. Exceptional safety with no adverse effects.
Why it matters: First demonstration of in vivo nerve regeneration via 5-HT2A agonism. Ophthalmology provides a faster, cleaner regulatory path than CNS indications — smaller trials, objective endpoints (nerve imaging), well-defined patient populations. If successful, the same mechanism supports expansion into neurodegenerative CNS diseases.
Company milestone
In progressActual: Aug 1, 2025
IND-enabling studies underway for lead ophthalmology SAI NCE. Human clinical trials targeted for November 2026.
Why it matters: Transition from discovery to IND-enabling is the key inflection point. November 2026 clinical target means IND filing expected mid-2026.
Recorded Events
Aug 1, 2025: Company milestone
Nov 1, 2024: data-readout
Aug 29, 2024: ip-milestone
Mar 14, 2023: Funding milestone
Evidence Links
2A Biosciences — Company Website
company-website - 2A Biosciences - Jun 26, 2026 - Verified
Flanagan et al. — 5-HT2A Agonist Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms (ACS PTS 2024)
peer-reviewed - ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science - Jan 1, 2024 - Verified
SAI Anti-Inflammatory Platform (CNS & Systemic)
Discovery
Broader SAI (Serotonergic Anti-Inflammatory) platform extending from ophthalmology into CNS neurodegeneration and systemic inflammatory diseases. Discovery-stage programmes: (1) CNS expansion — Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, TBI via shared nerve regeneration mechanisms; (2) Systemic anti-inflammatory — asthma, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, IBD (Crohn's), rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis. Based on Charles Nichols' published work demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects of 5-HT2A agonists at sub-behavioural doses. Non-hallucinogenic, non-immunosuppressive.
Programme Tracker
Neurocognitive Disorders
Primary: US (FDA)
DiscoveryActive
Forecast
Pre-clinical started
Discovery-stage serotonergic anti-inflammatory platform extending 5-HT2A precision agonism beyond the ophthalmology lead into CNS neurodegeneration and systemic inflammatory indications. Company site says 2A is in stealth and preparing for clinical study initiation, but no platform-specific IND or trial has been announced.
Milestones
Discovery started
In progress2A describes a precision 5-HT2A agonist platform designed for regenerative and anti-inflammatory outcomes without hallucinogenic or off-target liabilities.
Why it matters: The platform provides the rationale for CNS/systemic expansion beyond the nearer ophthalmology programme, but remains earlier and less specifically disclosed.
Watch next: Named CNS/systemic candidate, IND-enabling package, or disease-specific clinical plan.
Evidence Links
Cummins et al. — 5-HT2A Receptors: Pharmacology and Functional Selectivity (Pharm Rev 2025)
peer-reviewed - Pharmacological Reviews - Jul 1, 2025 - Verified
2A Biosciences - Company Website
company-website - 2A Biosciences - Jun 26, 2026 - Verified
Company site describes precision 5-HT2A agonists, stealth status, clinical-study preparation, and expansion from ophthalmology into CNS diseases via shared regenerative mechanisms.
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Quick Facts
- Type
- Private Biotech
- Lead Stage
- Preclinical
- Website
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