Jocasta Neuroscience and Diamond Therapeutics Partner on Non-Hallucinogenic Drug Research

Under the agreement, Scottsdale-based Jocasta will fund the preclinical evaluation of three chemical entities discovered by Diamond Therapeutics. These compounds target specific G protein-coupled receptors, aiming to isolate therapeutic signaling pathways while bypassing the subjective effects associated with traditional psychedelics. Jocasta retains an option to license, develop, and commercialize any successful candidates resulting from this collaboration. Financial terms include an upfront payment via convertible debenture, with potential future milestone payments and royalties for Diamond Therapeutics.

This partnership bolsters Jocasta’s existing pipeline, which is anchored by JN-0413, an α-klotho-based therapeutic candidate scheduled for first-in-human clinical trials in early 2027. Albert Agro, CEO of Jocasta, noted that the collaboration provides access to a differentiated set of molecules that could improve patient outcomes without the regulatory and clinical hurdles posed by hallucinogenic side effects. Jeffrey Sprouse, head of pipeline development at Diamond Therapeutics, added that the team’s medicinal chemistry platform is specifically designed to maximize the safety margin of these neuroplastic molecules. Researchers will now prioritize compounds that demonstrate significant cognitive enhancement in preclinical models while maintaining a non-hallucinogenic profile.