Episode 20: Breakthrough for Frontotemporal Dementia with Chris Witowski

Welcome back to the Pharmaverse Podcast! This week our host Michael Pietrack sits down with the Co-founder and CEO of Psilera Chris Witowski!

If you're interested in the cutting edge of Dementia treatment this episode is for you! Listen as we discuss the company's work in the neuroplastogen space and their development of new drugs based on the mechanism of psychedelics. Psilera is focused on creating neuroplastogens that have the benefits of psychedelics without the hallucinogenic effects. They are targeting hard-to-treat neurological disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia, and aim to provide patients with at-home treatments that have fewer side effects. Witowski also discusses the changing perception and stigma around psychedelic medicine and the potential for a new era in neuroscience. Evens saying psychedelic's are, "Changing Everything We Know About Neuroscience" Tune in to hear more!!

📗 Key Moments: 🗝🔑

💊Psilera is developing neuroplastogens, which are drugs based on the mechanism of psychedelics but without the hallucinogenic effects.

🧪Their lead drug, SIL-006, is being developed for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia, a condition with no available treatments.

🏡Psilera aims to provide at-home treatments that have fewer side effects, making them more accessible to patients.

👨‍🔬There is a changing perception and decreasing stigma around psychedelic medicine, with the potential for a new era in neuroscience.

⚙The future of psychedelic medicine looks promising, with several drugs expected to be on the market in the next five to ten years.

📗 Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Discussion on Recording Platform

03:02

Origin of Psilera's Name and Website Redesign

06:00

Founding of Psilera and Focus on Neuroplastogens

08:24

Neuroplastogens: Rewiring the Brain for Lasting Benefits

10:31

Potential Applications of Neuroplastogens in Anxiety and Psychiatry

16:24

The Renaissance of Neurology and the Future of Psychedelic Medicine

19:00

Targeting Frontotemporal Dementia: Unmet Medical Need and Potential Impact

23:16

The Changing Perception of Psychedelic Medicine and the New Era in Neuroscience

27:27

Career Development and Pivotal Moments

29:14

Life Lessons from Working at a Startup