Enveric Wins Patent for Non-Hallucinogenic Mescaline Derivatives

CAMBRIDGE, MA – December 29, 2025 – Enveric Biosciences, a biotechnology company at the forefront of developing novel treatments for mental health, has announced a significant expansion of its intellectual property portfolio. The company was issued U.S. Patent No. 12,492,179, a move that protects a new class of molecules derived from mescaline, engineered to treat severe psychiatric and neurological conditions without inducing hallucinogenic effects.

The patent, titled “Substituted Ethylamine Fused Heterocyclic Mescaline Derivatives,” provides robust protection for both the chemical compositions and their methods of use in treatment. This development marks a critical step in the company's mission to create a new generation of neuroplastogenic drugs that could revolutionize the standard of care for patients with depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders.

A New Generation of Psychiatric Medicine

For years, the medical community has been intrigued by the therapeutic potential of classic psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline. These substances have shown promise in promoting neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural connections and rewire itself—which is believed to be a key mechanism for overcoming entrenched patterns of thought and behavior associated with mental illness. However, the profound, and often disorienting, hallucinogenic experiences they produce have posed significant barriers to their widespread clinical adoption. These effects typically necessitate hours-long, medically supervised sessions, creating logistical and financial hurdles for both patients and healthcare systems.

Enveric's newly patented molecules aim to sidestep this fundamental challenge. By chemically modifying the structure of mescaline, the company's scientists have designed compounds intended to retain the neuroplastogenic, therapeutic benefits while eliminating the hallucinogenic properties. This could pave the way for treatments that are not only effective but also safe and convenient enough for outpatient use, potentially as a take-home prescription. The goal is to deliver the fast-acting and durable antidepressant and anxiolytic effects observed in psychedelic studies without the psychoactive journey, offering a more accessible option for millions of patients.

The Strategic Power of a Patent

In the high-stakes world of biotechnology, intellectual property is the bedrock upon which future success is built. The issuance of this “composition of matter” patent is particularly crucial for Enveric. This type of patent is considered one of the strongest forms of intellectual property protection, as it covers the novel chemical structures themselves, preventing competitors from creating or selling the same molecules.

This legal fortification is essential for attracting the large-scale investment and pharmaceutical partnerships required to navigate the long and arduous path of drug development. A comprehensive clinical trial campaign, from initial safety studies to late-stage efficacy trials, can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take the better part of a decade. Major pharmaceutical companies are unwilling to commit such vast resources without the guarantee of market exclusivity that a strong patent provides, ensuring they have a window to achieve a return on their investment.

For Enveric, this patent not only protects its innovation but also significantly enhances the value proposition of its pipeline. It strengthens the company’s position in licensing and partnership negotiations, making its portfolio of non-hallucinogenic compounds more attractive to larger players looking to enter the burgeoning neuropsychiatric market. As stated in the company's announcement, this expanded intellectual property footprint provides additional opportunities for collaboration with pharmaceutical companies making significant investments in the field.

Innovating on Nature's Blueprint

Enveric's approach is part of a sophisticated trend in drug discovery that leverages nature's pharmacopeia as a starting point for creating precisely engineered therapeutics. The molecules covered by the ‘179 patent are based on mescaline, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain cacti that has been used in spiritual and medicinal contexts for centuries. By understanding its core structure and how it interacts with key receptors in the brain, Enveric's researchers can systematically alter the molecule to enhance desired effects and eliminate unwanted ones.

This strategy is emblematic of the company's broader mission. Enveric is building a growing library of patent-protected chemical structures designed to promote neuroplasticity without psychedelic side effects. Its lead candidate, EB-003, is the first known compound designed to selectively engage both the 5-HT2A and 5-HT1B serotonin receptors, a novel mechanism of action that could deliver potent antidepressant effects with greater convenience than current options. The new mescaline derivatives add another family of promising compounds to this innovative pipeline, potentially targeting brain receptors in new ways to achieve superior efficacy and safety profiles.

“Enveric’s growing pipeline of patented molecules expands the available opportunities to develop next-generation treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions, leveraging our innovative research,” said Joseph Tucker, Ph.D., Director and CEO of Enveric. “As our intellectual property footprint and portfolio of patented molecules expand, the impact of our efforts is crystalizing into a significant position within the overall industry, providing the Company with a compelling future to pursue.” This latest patent solidifies that position, signaling a clear and protected path forward for its unique approach to tackling some of the most challenging disorders of the brain.