AtaiBeckley Joins Nasdaq Biotech Index, Capping Transformative Year

NEW YORK, NY – December 22, 2025

AtaiBeckley N.V., a newly-formed biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing novel mental health treatments, has been added to the prestigious Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI), effective before the market opened today. The inclusion marks a significant milestone, providing a powerful external validation of the company's strategy and capping what its CEO described as a "defining year" of corporate and clinical progress.

A Stamp of Approval for a Novel Strategy

Inclusion in the NBI, a widely followed benchmark for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, is more than a symbolic honor. It signals a company has met stringent criteria for market capitalization, trading volume, and public seasoning, placing AtaiBeckley among the key players in the industry. For a company focused on the still-nascent field of psychedelic-inspired therapeutics, this recognition serves as a major stamp of approval from the financial markets.

The move is expected to significantly increase the company's visibility among institutional investors and the broader market. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that track the NBI, such as the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB), will now be required to purchase AtaiBeckley shares to align their holdings with the index's new composition, likely boosting the stock's liquidity and stability.

This market validation is largely built on the promise of AtaiBeckley's clinical pipeline. The company’s lead candidate, BPL-003, a nasal spray formulation of mebufotenin benzoate for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), recently received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This followed a successful Phase 2b study where the drug demonstrated rapid, robust, and durable antidepressant effects. Patients showed statistically significant improvements in depression scores as early as one day post-dosing, with effects lasting up to eight weeks. Critically, the treatment was well-tolerated, with most patients able to be discharged within two hours, a key differentiator in a field where similar rapid-acting treatments often require lengthy clinical observation.

The Financial Implications and Competitive Edge

AtaiBeckley's entry into the NBI solidifies its position in a competitive but underserved mental health market. The company aims to challenge both traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work, and existing rapid-acting options like ketamine and its derivative esketamine (Spravato®), which carry a significant treatment burden due to in-clinic administration requirements.

By developing treatments with more convenient delivery methods—such as the BPL-003 nasal spray, the VLS-01 buccal film for TRD, and the oral EMP-01 for social anxiety disorder—AtaiBeckley is strategically positioning itself to capture a significant market share by improving patient access and reducing healthcare system costs. The increased investor awareness from the NBI inclusion provides a stronger platform from which to communicate this value proposition.

While the psychedelic therapy space carries inherent regulatory risks and faces a complex public perception landscape, the potential rewards are substantial. Investors are increasingly recognizing the scientific rigor behind programs like AtaiBeckley's, and the NBI inclusion reflects a growing consensus that these novel mechanisms of action represent a legitimate and promising new frontier in psychiatric medicine.

A Defining Year of Strategic Execution

The index inclusion is the culmination of a pivotal 12 months for the company. In November 2025, AtaiBeckley was officially formed through the strategic combination of atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech, a move designed to create a consolidated leader in the rapid-acting psychedelic treatment space. The merger was overwhelmingly approved by shareholders, who also supported a plan for the company to redomicile to the United States from its current Dutch N.V. structure by the end of the year. This move is expected to simplify its corporate structure and improve access to U.S. capital markets.

In a statement, CEO Srinivas Rao called 2025 a "defining year," a claim backed by significant financial and strategic maneuvering. Alongside the merger, the company successfully raised approximately $300 million in capital, including a $150 million public offering. This infusion of cash has fortified its balance sheet and extended its operational runway through 2029, providing the necessary resources to advance its key clinical programs toward critical Phase 3 milestones.

These strategic moves—merging to consolidate expertise, raising substantial capital to ensure long-term stability, and taking steps to align with U.S. markets—demonstrate a clear and decisive execution of a long-term growth plan. The NBI recognition is, in effect, the market's acknowledgment of this successful execution.

The Clinical Horizon: What Comes Next

With its corporate and financial house in order, AtaiBeckley is now poised for a series of crucial clinical readouts that will shape its future. The company is preparing for its End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA to discuss the path forward for BPL-003, with formal guidance on the design of a pivotal Phase 3 program anticipated in the first quarter of 2026. A successful outcome would be a major de-risking event and set a clear timeline toward potential commercialization.

Beyond its lead asset, AtaiBeckley expects a data-rich start to the new year. Topline results from the Phase 2 Elumina trial of VLS-01, a DMT-based buccal film for treatment-resistant depression, are anticipated in the first quarter of 2026. During the same period, the company also expects to release topline data from its Phase 2 study of EMP-01, an oral R-MDMA compound being investigated for social anxiety disorder.

These upcoming milestones represent the next major tests for the company's scientific platform. Positive data from these trials would not only validate the individual programs but also reinforce the broader therapeutic hypothesis underpinning AtaiBeckley's diverse pipeline, further cementing its leadership position as it seeks to transform the treatment landscape for millions of patients suffering from debilitating mental health conditions.