Amy Emerson resigned as CEO of Lykos Therapeutics, a biotech that spent a decade advancing MDMA-assisted therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and faced a debilitating FDA rejection just weeks ago.
Emerson herself spent more than 20 years crafting the clinical program, first as a volunteer at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and then at the organization’s public benefit corporation. In June 2020, she was named CEO of MAPS PBC, which rebranded to Lykos Therapeutics earlier this year.
Michael MulletteMichael Mullette, Lykos’ chief operating officer, is replacing her on an interim basis. He joined the company in 2022 after decades as a commercial leader at large pharma companies like Moderna and Sanofi.
David Hough, the former J&J executive who helped develop the company’s esketamine depression treatment Spravato, has been named chief medical officer. Hough joined the company less than a month ago when he was appointed senior medical advisor.
Last month, Lykos announced Hough’s appointment and that it was laying off 75% of its roughly 100-person team after the FDA rejected the company’s application in PTSD. The agency requested that the company run another Phase 3 trial, a costly expense that Emerson previously hinted could present challenges for additional fundraising.
Even after the rejection, Emerson remained a steadfast supporter of the company and the therapies it’s developing. In an interview with Endpoints News in mid-August, she said, “there hasn’t been a fight on specific leadership.” At that time, Emerson said changes to the executive committee were coming, though she and the company did not disclose any C-suite changes.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional context on Emerson’s exit.