MAPS founder Rick Doblin exits board as company cuts 75% of staff and brings in former J&J exec to lead MDMA therapy resubmission efforts
A major shakeup is underway at Lykos Therapeutics with MAPS founder Rick Doblin leaving his position on the company’s board and a significant workforce reduction.
The company announced the moves Aug. 15, less than a week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected the company’s bid to approve MDMA for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Lykos will be reducing its workforce by approximately 75%, or 100 employees, according to Reuters news service.
The company is regrouping as it plans to resubmit its new drug application for MDMA capsules for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults.
Dr. David Hough will lead and oversee the clinical development program and FDA engagement regarding the resubmission of MDMA.
Hough previously served as vice president of research and development at Johnson & Johnson subsidiary J&J Innovative Medicine.
Hough also helped develop Spravato, a ketamine nasal spray that received FDA approval in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression.
“His experience in recent approvals, including Spravato, is greatly relevant to our organization’s mission,” said Jeff George, chairman of the Lykos Board, in a news release. We are grateful that he will join our team and we look forward to engaging the FDA in the coming months to work to bring this therapy to the millions of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.”
In addition, the company will be reducing its workforce by approximately 75%, with the remaining team focused on its ongoing clinical development, medical affairs, and engagement with the FDA.
Doblin issued a statement regarding his decision to leave the board, saying it will allow him to “speak more freely as a public advocate” and will allow him to focus on his work at MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which developed Lykos.
“The FDA delays make it more important than ever that I work at MAPS toward developing global legal access to MDMA and other psychedelics for public benefit through MAPS’ multidisciplinary research, education and drug policy reform,” Doblin said.