Go beyond the FDA approval headlines and into the REAL business of psychedelic medicine. While most eyes are on the drug developers, venture capitalist Maria Velkova shares where the smart money is going. The Tabula Rasa Ventures managing partner tells the untold story of the critical infrastructure needed for psychedelics to succeed post-approval, Big Pharma’s recent entry into the space, the maturation of the industry beyond the hype, and the massive commercial hurdles that many are overlooking. A candid and insightful look at investment, innovation, and what it really takes to bring psychedelic therapies to patients.

#PsychedelicInvesting #PsychedelicMedicine #DrugDevelopment #MentalHealthInnovation #FDA #PsychedelicStartups #MentalHealthPodcast

In this insightful conversation, Maria shares:

Her unique journey from a decade in Big Pharma to launching a psychedelic-focused venture fund.
Why the biggest opportunities are in the ”picks and shovels”—the enabling technologies and infrastructure.
The major hurdles after FDA approval: therapist training and insurance coverage.
How the industry has moved from a hype curve to a new stage of maturity.
Why Big Pharma's entry is a game-changer and a sign of what's to come.
The overlooked but crucial role of patent strategy for long-term success.
Future frontiers for innovation: AI in drug development and psychedelic applications in women's health.

00:00 Intro
01:09 Maria's Journey: From Big Pharma to Psychedelic VC
04:22 Why the Psychedelic Industry is Maturing, Not Plateauing
08:14 The ”Picks and Shovels”: Real Money is in Infrastructure
12:50 The Biggest Hurdle After Approval: Insurance Coverage
18:30 Is the Stigma Around Psychedelics Disappearing?
23:45 Why Capital is Coming Back to the Space
27:21 The Future: AI's Role in Drug Development
29:55 A Massive Untapped Market: Psychedelics for Women's Health
34:54 The Overlooked Importance of Patent Strategy
44:55 What to Expect in the Next 1-2 Years

Whether you're an entrepreneur, therapist, investor, or just curious about the psychedelic renaissance, this episode offers a rare inside look at the business realities and future opportunities beyond the mainstream headlines.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-velkova/
https://www.tabularasa.ventures/

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The Evolving Minds podcast by Pink Elephant, hosted by Jason Najum, is a series of 1-on-1 conversations with star guests who dare to build, scale, or rethink companies, policies, and protocols at the frontier of progressive mental health.