In this episode, Surani explores one of biotech’s most controversial and ambitious frontiers: psychedelic medicine. At the center of the story is Compass Pathways, the London-based biotech attempting to bring synthetic psilocybin through the modern drug approval system for treatment-resistant depression. What began as a deeply personal mission for founders George and Katya Goldsmith has evolved into one of the most closely watched companies in mental health biotech, surviving both the psychedelic hype cycle and the broader biotech market crash. Surani speaks with CEO Kabir Nath to explore Compass’s unusual financing journey, the rise of institutional interest from investors like Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and the company’s pivotal Phase II and Phase III studies that may ultimately lead to the first FDA-approved psychedelic medicine. She is also joined by renowned neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt from Imperial College London to unpack the science, investor skepticism, regulatory concerns and implementation complexities surrounding psychedelics. Timestamps02.00 — The Compass origin story: George and Katya Goldsmith, psilocybin, and building a biotechFounders' Story:Business Insider ArticleAfter On podcast:For any comments, questions or feedback you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]Title music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)