PSYTECH LTD

Beckley Psytech was established to help patients suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders by developing psychedelic compounds – such as magic mushrooms, ketamine, DMT, and LSD –into licenced pharmaceutical medicines.

In 1998 Lady Amanda Feilding set up the Beckley Foundation, a non-profit NGO focused on evidence-based drug policy reform and scientific research into psychedelic medicines.

Over the last 20 years the Beckley Foundation has become a world-famous pioneer in psychedelic research. Amanda has been dubbed “the hidden hand” behind the renaissance in psychedelic science, featured on the Guardian’s list of the Bravest Men and Women in the History of Science, and has personally co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications on the subject.

Oxford-based Beckley Psytech was created to build upon the Foundation’s work by developing safe and effective psychedelic medicines available to patients.

In 2020 the company raised more than $22 million to develop an intranasal formulation of synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, which is found in plants and in the glands of the Sonoran Desert toad.

In January it announced the first cohort of volunteers had been dosed in a clinical trial exploring the safety of the substance, with the aim of helping patients with treatment-resistant depression.

The trial is being conducted as part of Beckley Psytech’s ongoing collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London and is being led by Dr James Rucker, who said: “Treatment-resistant depression is a challenging condition, and it is exciting to be exploring new treatment options that could have a positive impact on patients’ lives in the future.”

Brainomix Ltd

This Oxford-based company specialises in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered software to enable image-guided precision medicine for better treatment decisions for stroke, lung fibrosis and cancer patients.

In February Brainomix announced a new partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, to improve the accuracy and standardisation of tumour measurement in clinical trials through further development of its AI software.

Brainomix will leverage its existing capabilities in AI-powered medical software development, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise in clinical development and the translation of technology innovation into practical applications.

Last December the company closed a series B financing round, raising £16 million to fund expansion into new markets and therapeutic indications. The financing was co-led by existing investors Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and Parkwalk Advisors, along with new investor, Tencent Holdings, and included participation from Oxford University Innovation Fund.