FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2021
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and its wholly owned drug-development subsidiary MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wesana Health Inc, a publicly traded, data-driven life sciences company. Wesana will provide an initial $1.5 million engagement fee to explore the viability of collaborating with MAPS and MAPS PBC to accelerate research into MDMA-assisted therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The engagement fee will be used by MAPS and MAPS PBC, in part, to finance evaluation of legal, scientific, and operational elements of the proposed commercial relationship.
To date, MAPS’ research has primarily focused on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. TBI shares remarkably similar symptoms with PTSD and these conditions are often comorbid. Depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and physical health conditions such as hypertension and sleep disorders are common among people suffering with either condition and lead to similar impairments in ability to work, go to school, and relate in family or community. Both conditions may be chronic, both disproportionately impact people of color, and the currently available treatments are inadequate for many with chronic or severe diagnoses.
As with MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, surplus income earned by MAPS PBC would be directed to advancing psychedelic research; providing honest public education; developing generative business practices; and making access to these treatments equitable through formal, funded programs to train therapists and provide Patient Assistance Programs.
As MAPS and MAPS PBC explore new collaborative opportunities, we are establishing criteria for potential collaborators to ensure partnerships support MAPS’ Principles and the ethical expansion of the psychedelic field, particularly:
- Prioritizing Public Benefit: Our foremost obligation is to maximize patient outcomes and accessibility.
- Open Science, Open Books: We transparently share our work. Once adopted, we will publish criteria and preferences for potential collaborators with an analysis of how such agreements support MAPS’ Principles.
- Healing for All: We proactively and creatively work to catalyze mass mental health.
Other companies interested in collaborations with MAPS may email our partnerships team.
