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Emyria expands psychiatry advisory team with new appointment

Last updated: 12:27 16 Sep 2021 AEST, First published: 12:14 16 Sep 2021 AEST

Emyria Ltd - Emyria expands psychiatry advisory with new appointment

Emyria Ltd has appointed consultant general and pain psychiatrist Dr Jeremy Tannebaum to its advisory team in a bid to advance its psychedelic-assisted research and drug development programs.

The new appointment is particularly interested in the emerging use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, as well as the holistic treatment of complex pain conditions.

During his tenure, Dr Tannenbaum will advise on Emyria’s psychotherapy trial, the MDMA-analogue drug discovery and screening pipeline and its research & development portfolio on complex pain conditions.

Emyria's work comes as the global mental health market is estimated at US$100 billion per year, with psychedelic treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy estimated to reach US$10 billion in annual sales once their clinical safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness have been demonstrated.

“World-class clinical advisory”

Emyria managing director Dr Michael Winlo said the company was delighted to welcome Dr Jeremy Tannenbaum to its “world-class clinical advisory”.

“Dr Tannenbaum has a unique combination of specialist training and research experience covering psychiatry, pain medicine and the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy to address major mental health concerns.

“We believe Dr\ Tannenbaum’s unique and diverse training in psychiatry and pain medicine can greatly advance Emyria’s MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trials for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our MDMA-analogue discovery and screening program and also support Emyria to evaluate the use of cannabinoid and other novel therapeutic approaches to address the biopsychosocial aspects of complex pain management.”

As part of the Emyria team, Dr Tannenbaum will advise on:

  • An MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial for post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
  • The MDMA analogue drug discovery and screening; and
  • Emyria’s research and development across novel approaches for people with complex pain conditions, including cannabinoids.

Dr Tannenbaum’s expertise

Dr Tannenbaum has a Fellowship in Psychiatry and is in the final stages of completing his dual fellowship as a specialist pain medicine physician.

He also completed a clinical observership with leading psychedelic-assisted therapy pioneers, Professor David Nutt and Dr Robin Carhart-Harris in the early stages of their research into the therapeutic role of psilocybin.

Specifically, he specialises in the holistic assessment and management of psychiatric disorders and persistent pain conditions.

Some of his special interests include:

  • The emerging therapeutic role of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for difficult to treat mental illness;
  • Exploring the potential for psychedelics in other medical conditions;
  • Stellate ganglion blocks for PTSD;
  • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for difficult-to-treat conditions, including depression, PTSD, pain and other indications; and
  • Ketamine infusion therapies for pain and mental health conditions.

Speaking on his appointment, Dr Tannenbaum said: “Psychedelic-assisted therapy is showing great promise in treating complex and difficult-to-treat mental health conditions.

“In order to reach the patients most in need, further research and clinical evidence is required.

“I’m pleased to support Emyria’s unique model of care delivery, evidence generation and treatment development, which is well-placed to evaluate how best to deliver these treatments consistently and safely.”

Could psychedelics help combat PTSD?

Emyria is investigating a series of psychedelic-assisted therapies as more evidence comes to light on their capabilities.

Studies indicate that substances such as ketamine, psilocybin and MDMA, when used in a controlled environment and supported by psychotherapy, can offer a promising new approach to treating major mental illnesses that are resistant to first-line treatments.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies recently announced results from its phase three trial on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.

Interestingly, the nonprofit organisation reported a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to those who received placebo with therapy.

All up, 67% of the group who received MDMA — compared to 32% of the group who received placebo — no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis after three treatment sessions.

Since then, the US Food and Drug Administration has granted MDMA-assisted therapy ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ status to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Implications for a broader market

Considering the value of the global mental health market and the economic potential of psychedelic treatments, Emyria’s goal is to develop a leading, scalable, evidence-based model for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy delivery.

The move comes as Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) considers rescheduling the class for MDMA and psilocybin treatments.

If successful, rescheduling would move these medicines from Schedule 9 to Schedule 8, which deals with Controlled Medicines — the same category as THC-containing cannabinoid medicines.

At present, a final decision on MDMA and psilocybin’s classification is on hold, pending a review into their therapeutic value, risks and benefits to public health outcomes.

An independent expert panel will publish their findings on the TGA’s website on September 30 ahead of further consideration by the advisory committee that handles medicines scheduling.

Emyria shares are 6.38% higher intra-day to 25 cents and since the market close on August 20 have climbed from 17.5 cents.

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