The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that it will spend up to $4.9 million over five years to prepare for possible U.S. trials of ibogaine, a psychedelic drug the agency wants to study for post-traumatic stress disorder. The awards cover manufacturing and regulatory work. Veterans cannot enroll in a trial through this announcement, and the Food and Drug Administration has not approved ibogaine to treat PTSD.
HHS said one team, led by the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, will work toward making a clinical-grade product in the United States and preparing the paperwork for future testing. Beond, a separate recipient, will supply clinical data that researchers can use to examine safety and how long any effects last. The money is tied to milestones and does not pay for patient treatment or new research involving people.
What has to happen before a trial
The awards will help teams prepare applications that would be needed before U.S. trials could go ahead. The FDA asked for input in October on how early studies might be designed and monitored. That notice raised both cardiac and neurological safety concerns. HHS said ibogaine can cause potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems, and that its potential benefits still need rigorous testing.
Beond says its clinic in Mexico has treated more than 3,000 people. Those records can inform the design of future studies. They do not establish that the drug is safe or effective for veterans with PTSD. Thursday’s announcement gave no start date for a U.S. trial.
The FDA is still taking public comments on its proposed approach to early studies. The Federal Register notice gives an online deadline of 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, Nov. 20. The docket number is FDA-2026-N-10429.
A separate $20 million research opportunity
The National Institute of Mental Health also announced $20 million in potential funding to build a research network for fast-acting psychiatric treatments. HHS listed ketamine, esketamine and psilocybin among the treatments the network could study. The agency expects to announce grant recipients in summer 2027. That money is separate from the $4.9 million set aside for ibogaine preparation.
For veterans seeking PTSD care now, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers assessment and treatment in person or by telehealth. Veterans enrolled in VA care can ask their primary care clinician for a mental health referral or contact VA mental health services directly. The VA lists trauma-focused therapy and certain medications among its established treatment options.
