Empyrean Neuroscience has built a proprietary genetic engineering platform to modify fungal and plant genomes to produce and optimize neuroactive small molecules, including fungal alkaloids, cannabinoids, and compounds such as N,N‑Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The platform is designed both to enhance known neuroactive compounds and to discover novel small molecules with therapeutic potential. The company has launched with a $22 million Series A to advance a pipeline targeting major depressive disorder (MDD), PTSD, substance use disorders, chronic pain, and other neurologic indications. IND-enabling studies for its first genetically engineered encapsulated mushroom drug product are underway, and Empyrean aims to enter the clinic for MDD in 2023. Empyrean has licensed CRISPR/Cas9 technology from ERS Genomics to support its genetic engineering efforts. The company is based in New York City and Cambridge, UK, and is led by CEO Usman “Oz” Azam, M.D., and CMO Fred Grossman, D.O., FAPA.

Total raised

$22M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Oct 2022