Otsuka grows in neuroplastogens with $1.225bn Transcend buy

Japanese pharma group Otsuka has agreed to acquire Transcend Therapeutics and its MDMA-based drug candidate for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric conditions for $700 million upfront.

The deal includes another $525 million in possible milestone payments if lead drug TSND-201 (methylone) meets certain sales objectives. Transcend is specialised in developing neuroplastogens – next-generation, non-hallucinogenic psychedelic therapies that can help the brain reorganise its structure and neural connections.

Research has shown that changes in neuroplasticity in the…