BEDFORD, Mass.– Delix Therapeutics, a clinical-stage neuroscience company developing non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, announced the publication of new peer-reviewed research in ACS Chemical Neuroscience describing the pharmacology and mechanism of action of its lead compound, zalsupindole (DLX-001). The study, titled “Zalsupindole is a non-dissociative, non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen with therapeutic effects comparable to ketamine and psychedelics,” was authored by Delix scientists and company co-founder David E. Olson, Ph.D.
The findings show that zalsupindole, a first-in-class analog of 5-MeO-DMT, drives rapid and lasting neuroplastic changes in the brain similar to those seen with ketamine, psilocybin, and DMT—without producing hallucinations, dissociation, or psychotomimetic effects. The compound engages serotonergic receptors to promote structural and functional plasticity in the cortex, and its effects persist even after the drug has been cleared from the body.
In preclinical studies, zalsupindole stimulated cortical neuritogenesis in vitro, increased dendritic spine density in vivo, and enhanced measures of functional plasticity to an extent comparable to or greater than ketamine and psychedelics. Pharmacokinetic profiling showed that the compound is highly brain-penetrant, distributes quickly, and clears rapidly. Receptor mapping revealed that zalsupindole acts as a low-potency partial agonist at 5-HT₂A/C receptors, selectively targets serotonergic systems, and antagonizes 5-HT₂B receptors, contributing to its strong neuroplasticity effects and favorable cardiovascular safety profile observed in clinical testing.
“At Delix, we believe that promoting neuroplasticity to repair dysfunctional neural circuits is the key to treating a broad range of neuropsychiatric conditions,” said David E. Olson, Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Delix Therapeutics. “By systematically comparing zalsupindole with clinically effective psychoplastogens such as ketamine, psilocybin, and DMT, we have shown that our compound produces the same rapid and sustained plasticity without hallucinations or dissociation. The data described in this paper provide a clear path toward developing safe, effective, and scalable neuroplastogen therapeutics for people who need them.”
Delix’s proprietary neuroplasticity platform has yielded thousands of non-hallucinogenic compounds designed to restore brain connectivity. The publication builds on encouraging results from a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers, in which zalsupindole showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no serious adverse events or hallucinogenic or dissociative effects. EEG biomarkers confirmed central nervous system exposure and activity consistent with neuroplasticity. The company is currently completing a Phase 1b study evaluating zalsupindole in patients with major depressive disorder.
“Delix is honored that ACS Chemical Neuroscience has chosen to publish this important characterization of the first novel neuroplastogen to advance to the clinic and patients,” said Mark Rus, Chief Executive Officer of Delix Therapeutics. “By deepening our understanding of neuroplasticity and the serotonergic system, we’re helping to demonstrate that non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens can deliver the rapid efficacy of psychedelics on a broader, more accessible scale.”
Delix’s research has also appeared in leading journals including Science, Cell, Nature, Molecular Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychiatry, and the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. The company has been recognized among Chemical & Engineering News’ Top 10 Start-ups to Watch, named to Nature Biotechnology’s list of leading spinouts, and included in Fierce Biotech’s “Fierce 15.”
