Eli Lilly & Co. is nearing a deal to acquire psychedelic drugmaker AtaiBeckley, signaling growing pharmaceutical interest in the sector. A deal could be announced this week. AtaiBeckley, which develops a nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, saw its shares soar 66% on the news, reaching a market value of $1.97 billion. The sector has been boosted by a Trump administration order to speed up reviews and increase research funding.
Eli Lilly acquisition talks
- ▪A potential takeover of AtaiBeckley could be announced as soon as the week of July 15, 2026
- ▪Eli Lilly & Co. is in talks to acquire psychedelic drugmaker AtaiBeckley Inc.
- ▪Eli Lilly is reportedly negotiating the acquisition deal at a premium
AtaiBeckley market reaction
- ▪As of the market close on July 15, 2026, AtaiBeckley had a market value of $1.97 billion
- ▪Following the acquisition news, AtaiBeckley's shares soared 66% in aftermarket trading
- ▪Eli Lilly's shares were flat in aftermarket trading after the news
Psychedelic depression treatment
- ▪AtaiBeckley is developing BPL-003, an intranasal formulation of 5-MeO-DMT for treatment-resistant depression
- ▪AtaiBeckley is a New York-based company focused on psychedelic-based treatments for mental health conditions
- ▪The potential acquisition reflects growing interest from large drugmakers in the field of psychedelic medicine
Trump regulatory policy
- ▪President Donald Trump's 2026 order also increased federal funding for psychedelic research
- ▪In 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered health regulators to speed up reviews of psychedelic treatments
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