Back to the drawing board for Lykos' MDMA therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not accept the application of Lykos Therapeutics for MDMA as a treatment for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a letter dated Aug. 9 and released by Lykos Therapeutics, the for‐profit arm of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the company stated that it is disappointed in the FDA response, but that it intends to pursue the goal of approval. This announcement was followed by the retraction of three peer‐reviewed studies on Aug. 9 as well. The FDA did not completely reject the idea of ever approving MDMA, but asked Lykos for more information.