Berlin biotech startup Atai Life Sciences, which is exploring the use of psychedelic treatments for depression, anxiety and addiction, said on Wednesday it had raised $157 million from investors to develop its drug pipeline.
The financing was led by Atai's existing backers - co-founder Christian Angermayer and early Facebook FB.O investor Peter Thiel - who were joined by new investor Woodline Partners.
Angermayer is a vocal advocate of the mental health benefits of psychedelics such as psilocybin - the active ingredient in magic mushrooms - while Atai, which he co-founded in 2018, describes itself as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.
Also taking part in the so-called Series D round were Fearless Ventures, Falcon Edge Capital, Pura Vida Pro LLC, Catalio Capital Management, Subversive Capital and Highline Capital.
(Reporting by Douglas Busvine, editing by Emma Thomasson) ((douglas.busvine@tr.com; +49 30 220 133 562;))
