Psyence BioMed Announces Groundbreaking Psilocybin Longevity Research Program
Rhea-AI Summary
Psyence BioMed (Nasdaq: PBM) launched a psilocybin longevity research program in collaboration with South African academic researchers, positioning the company as the first publicly listed firm to investigate psilocybin’s effects on biological aging markers. The initiative will test biomarkers for cellular stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, telomere length and behavioural healthspan indicators under the leadership of Dr. Tanya Calvey, PhD. The company has commenced work and expects full acceleration early in the new year following ethics approval. The release cites preclinical findings including a >50% lifespan increase in human skin and lung cells with psilocin.
Positive
- Preclinical readout: human skin and lung cell lifespan >50%
- First public company actively studying psilocybin and longevity
- Study commenced with full acceleration planned after ethics approval
Negative
- Preclinical stage — no human longevity data reported
- Ethics approval required before accelerated work begins
- No clinical endpoints or regulatory approvals disclosed
Insights
Psyence BioMed launches a preclinical psilocybin longevity program; research stage, no clinical results yet.
The company is positioning itself as the first publicly listed firm to study psilocybin's effects on biological ageing by initiating a collaborative research program in South Africa under Dr. Tanya Calvey's leadership. The work will use an accelerated preclinical protocol to measure biomarkers tied to cellular stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function and behavioural proxies for healthspan and lifespan, and the project is underway pending ethics approval with full acceleration anticipated
Key dependencies and risks include the preclinical nature of the work, the need for ethics approval before full acceleration, and the gap between biomarker findings and demonstrated clinical benefit; no human longevity outcomes or regulatory milestones are reported. Watch for completion of preclinical endpoints, publication of biomarker data, and any announced transition to human studies over the next 12–36 months as the primary monitorable milestones.
First publicly listed company to actively investigate psilocybin’s potential impact on longevity
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psyence Biomedical Ltd. (Nasdaq: PBM) (“Psyence BioMed” or the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical company advancing nature-derived psilocybin and ibogaine therapies for unmet mental health needs, today announced the launch of a new psilocybin longevity research initiative in collaboration with leading researchers in South Africa. This program positions Psyence BioMed as the first – and currently the only – publicly listed company to investigate psilocybin’s potential impact on biological markers associated with aging and longevity. A successful trial could redefine human longevity and transform the future of aging.
Longevity science is gaining unprecedented global attention, driven by rapidly aging populations, escalating healthcare costs, and the visibility of figures like Bryan Johnson, who has openly explored both psychedelic therapies and longevity optimization. Simultaneously, scientific literature continues to build support for the intersection of psychedelics and aging biology. Recent preclinical research has shown that psilocin, psilocybin’s active metabolite, extended survival in aged mouse models and increased the lifespan of human skin and lung cells by more than 50 per cent (Source). Additional studies suggest psilocybin may modulate cellular aging by reducing oxidative stress, preserving telomere length, enhancing neuroplasticity, and activating key longevity-associated pathways (Source).
Working closely with an academic neuroscience faculty, Psyence BioMed is developing an accelerated preclinical protocol designed to evaluate whether psilocybin influences biological mechanisms tied to aging. The study will examine biomarkers related to cellular stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and behavioural indicators associated with healthspan and lifespan. The Company has commenced the project, with full acceleration anticipated early in the new year following ethics approval.
The research will be conducted under the leadership of Dr. Tanya Calvey, PhD, an internationally recognized neuroscientist specializing in translational neuropsychopharmacology. Dr. Calvey’s work bridges human neuroimaging, molecular biology, and neurohistology to explore how psychoactive compounds influence long-term brain health and cellular resilience.
“The scientific community is only beginning to uncover the potential links between psychedelics and longevity,” said Dr. Tanya Calvey. “Psilocybin modulates inflammation, neural connectivity, and cellular stress responses – all central to how we understand aging biology. The collaboration with Psyence BioMed enables us to rigorously investigate these mechanisms and generate evidence that could guide future human studies.”
Psyence BioMed Chief Executive Officer, Jody Aufrichtig, reinforced the significance of this initiative, particularly within the broader longevity movement.
“Longevity is quickly emerging as one of the most important global health frontiers,” said Aufrichtig. “With public influencers like Bryan Johnson elevating longevity science and exploring psychedelic-assisted interventions, there is tremendous interest in understanding how psilocybin may influence biological aging. As the first publicly listed company actively pursuing this research, Psyence BioMed is positioned at the forefront of an entirely new therapeutic arena.
This longevity initiative complements Psyence BioMed’s ongoing clinical development programs, including its psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for existential distress in palliative care patients in Australia. Together, these programs advance the Company’s mission to explore the full therapeutic potential of psilocybin and ibogaine across multiple dimensions of human health – from mental wellness to long-term biological wellbeing.
About Psyence BioMed
Psyence Biomedical Ltd. (Nasdaq: PBM) is one of the few multi-asset, vertically integrated biopharmaceutical companies specializing in psychedelic-based therapeutics. It is the first life sciences biotechnology company focused on developing nature-derived (non-synthetic) psilocybin and ibogaine-based psychedelic medicine to be listed on Nasdaq. We are dedicated to addressing unmet mental health needs. We are committed to an evidence-based approach in developing safe, effective, and FDA-approved nature-derived psychedelic treatments for a broad range of mental health disorders.
Contact Information for Psyence Biomedical Ltd.
Email: ir@psyencebiomed.com
Media Inquiries: media@psyencebiomed.com
General Information: info@psyencebiomed.com
Investor Contact:
Michael Kydd
Investor Relations Advisor
michael@psyencebiomed.com
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and other statements identified by words such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “outlook” or words of similar meaning.
Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements regarding the advancement of the Company's clinical development pipeline, the commencement of the anticipated study, and international interest in longevity science. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions, including the assumption that ongoing and future study results will be positive, definitive agreements governing the anticipated study will be successfully negotiated, finalized, and executed, the Company will obtain all such regulatory approvals as may be required to execute the anticipated study, that interest in longevity science will continue to grow and that the demand for psychedelic-containing products and related therapy will continue to increase. The Company cannot guarantee that the aforementioned agreements will be completed on the expected timeline or at all. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, among others: (i) delays in the execution of the Company's drug development and clinical trial pipeline; (ii) the ability of Psyence BioMed to maintain the listing of its common shares and warrants on Nasdaq; (iii) volatility in the price of the securities of Psyence BioMed due to a variety of factors, including the recent share consolidation, changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Psyence BioMed operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Psyence BioMed’s business and changes in Psyence BioMed’s capital structure. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s final prospectus (File No. 333-298285) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 3, 2025 and other documents filed by Psyence BioMed from time to time with the SEC.
These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, Psyence BioMed does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
The Company does not make any medical, treatment or health benefit claims about its proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, psilocybin analogues, or other psychedelic compounds or nutraceutical products. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by authorized clinical research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psilocybin analogues, or other psychedelic compounds or nutraceuticals can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. The Company has not conducted clinical trials for the use of the proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy, and safety of potential products do not imply that the Company has verified such in clinical trials or that the Company will complete such trials. If the Company cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s performance and operations.
FAQ
What did Psyence BioMed (PBM) announce on November 25, 2025 about psilocybin longevity research?
Who will lead Psyence BioMed's PBM longevity study and what is their expertise?
What biomarkers will the PBM psilocybin longevity study examine and when will it accelerate?
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