The Week of

Eli Lilly acquired biotech company 4E Therapeutics as part of its growing push into non-opioid pain treatments.

The deal gives Lilly access to 4E's pipeline of experimental oral drugs that target the MNK-eIF4E signaling pathway, which is involved in generating pain signals in peripheral nerves. The company's lead candidate, 4ET1103, has already completed a Phase 1 study and demonstrated a favorable safety profile.

This is Lilly's second major move into pain management in just over a year. In 2025, the company agreed to acquire SiteOne Therapeutics for up to $1 billion to gain access to another non-opioid pain program. Together, the deals suggest Lilly is building a substantial pain franchise as it looks to diversify beyond its blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs. Here’s more: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/eli-lilly-ma-spree-continues-acquisition-non-opioid-pain-drugmaker-4e.

Vedana Therapeutics emerged from stealth with $46 million in Series A funding to develop next-generation migraine treatments.

The company is focused on antibody therapies targeting clinically validated migraine pathways, including PACAP, a promising target that many researchers view as the next major frontier beyond CGRP-based drugs such as Nurtec and Aimovig.

The new funding will be used to advance Vedana's internally developed antibody programs toward clinical testing, positioning the company to compete in what is becoming one of the fastest-growing areas of neuroscience drug development. Check it out: https://substack.com/home/post/p-202429289.

Acumen Pharmaceuticals nominated two new Alzheimer's drug candidates, ACU301 and ACU401, designed to improve the delivery of therapeutic antibodies to the brain.

The candidates combine Acumen's expertise in targeting toxic amyloid-beta oligomers (proteins believed to play a key role in Alzheimer's disease) with JCR Pharmaceuticals' blood-brain barrier penetration technology, which is intended to help more of the drug reach its target.

Acumen's preclinical studies have shown that its Enhanced Brain Delivery platform can achieve dramatically higher brain exposure than conventional antibodies, potentially allowing for more effective treatment and more convenient subcutaneous dosing. The company is currently conducting IND-enabling studies and plans to submit its first application to begin human testing in mid-2027. Here’s more: https://substack.com/home/post/p-202288279.

Did you know that scientists are investigating whether mindfulness meditation can amplify and extend the effects of psilocybin therapy?

Researchers believe the combination may help people break unhealthy thought patterns more effectively than either approach alone by strengthening the brain's ability to form new neural connections and reshape deeply ingrained habits. The idea is that psilocybin may temporarily make the brain more adaptable, while mindfulness training could help reinforce healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.

If successful, the approach could offer new insights into treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health disorders. Check it out: https://neurosciencenews.com/psilocybin-mindfulness-neuroscience-30895/