# Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/gilgamesh-pharmaceuticals **Vertical:** Healthcare **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** gilgameshpharmaceutical.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Clinical-stage psychedelic pharma developing novel psilocybin-derived bretisilocin in Phase 2 for depression; first YC-backed psychedelics company competing with COMPASS Pathways. ## Company Overview Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel psychedelic-derived compounds for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and stress-related psychiatric disorders — pursuing a drug discovery approach that modifies psychedelic molecular structures to optimize therapeutic effects (efficacy, duration) while retaining or modifying the subjective psychedelic experience. Founded by Jonathan Sporn MD, Dalibor Sames PhD, Andrew Kruegel PhD, Jeff Witkin PhD, and Mike Cunningham PhD, Gilgamesh was the first Y Combinator-backed company in the psychedelic therapeutics space.\n\nGilgamesh's lead compound bretisilocin (GM-2505) is a novel psilocybin-derived molecule in Phase 2 clinical trials for major depressive disorder, positioned as a potential best-in-class psychedelic compound with optimized pharmacokinetics. The company's scientific founders from Columbia University brought expertise in psychedelic pharmacology and medicinal chemistry that enables rational drug design rather than simply repurposing existing natural psychedelics like psilocybin. The differentiated compound IP strategy creates defensible pharmaceutical assets rather than relying on natural compound exclusivity.\n\nIn 2025, Gilgamesh competes in the psychedelic medicine market with COMPASS Pathways (psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, furthest along in clinical trials), Usona Institute (psilocybin non-profit research), MindMed (LSD and MDMA derivatives), and Lykos Therapeutics (MDMA-assisted therapy) for psychedelic-derived psychiatric treatment development. The FDA declined to approve MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024 (Lykos), creating caution around psychedelic clinical timelines, while COMPASS continues Phase 3 trials for psilocybin. Gilgamesh's novel compound approach (not psilocybin itself) provides a distinct regulatory and IP path. The 2025 strategy focuses on Phase 2 data readouts for bretisilocin, building clinical evidence for the compound's differentiated profile, and advancing toward a Phase 3 pivotal trial design. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel psychotropic drugs for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Founded in 2020, it was the first Y Combinator-backed startup in the psychedelics space and is advancing bretisilocin (GM-2505), a potential best-in-class psychedelic compound currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for major depressive disorder. ### What products and services does Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals offer? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is developing bretisilocin (GM-2505) for major depressive disorder, along with novel psychotropic drugs for depression and anxiety disorder treatments. The company focuses on psychedelic medicine research and depression treatment therapies. ### Who is Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' target customer? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals develops treatments for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and stress-related psychiatric conditions. Their therapies are designed for individuals who need advanced psychiatric treatment options. ### When was Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals founded? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2020. The company was part of Y Combinator's Winter 2020 (W20) batch and was the first YC startup in the psychedelics space. ### Where is Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals located? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is based in New York, New York. ### How much funding has Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals raised? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals has raised over $66 million in total funding, including a $39 million Series B in 2022 and a $27 million Series A in 2021 led by Prime Movers Lab. The company was also backed by Y Combinator in 2020. ### What are Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' key achievements? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals secured an acquisition agreement with AbbVie in August 2025 worth $65 million upfront plus up to $1.95 billion in milestones and tiered royalties. The company is the first Y Combinator-backed startup in psychedelics and has advanced bretisilocin to Phase 2 clinical trials for major depressive disorder. ### What is Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals' approach to treating depression? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals is developing bretisilocin (GM-2505), a potential best-in-class psychedelic compound for treating moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. The company focuses on novel psychotropic drug development using psychedelic medicine research for psychiatric disorders. ### Who founded Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals? Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals was founded by Jonathan Sporn MD, Dalibor Sames PhD, Andrew Kruegel PhD, Jeff Witkin PhD, and Mike Cunningham PhD. ### What recent developments has Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals announced? In August 2025, Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals announced an acquisition agreement with AbbVie featuring $65 million upfront, up to $1.95 billion in milestones, and tiered royalties for bretisilocin. This followed a May 2024 collaboration with AbbVie for psychiatric disorders, with bretisilocin currently in Phase 2 development for major depressive disorder. ## Tags healthtech, north-america, b2b --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*