Negev Labs
Negev Labs is a biotech company-building platform founded in 2022 and headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey, dedicated to advancing neuroplastogens — non-hallucinogenic compounds that promote neuroplasticity and cellular resilience. The company operates through R&D partnerships with Hadassah Brain Labs Center for Psychedelic Research in Jerusalem, a licensing agreement with the Alexander Shulgin Research Institute (ASRI), and acquired Beckley Psytech's ophthalmology program, targeting psychiatry, neurodegeneration, and retinal degeneration.
Development Programmes
4Ariadne / 4C-D / BL-3912A (5-HT2A Agonist)
Non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonist (2-amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-butane). 1970s Bristol-Myers data: tested in 500+ patients; 100mg daily → complete remission in Parkinson's patients, improved alertness/cognition in geriatric subjects. 2022: single dose reversed motor deficits on par with L-DOPA in PD mouse model (no dopamine receptor activity). Developed via subsidiary Ariadne Bio (CEO: Shlomi Raz).
Programme Tracker
Neurocognitive Disorders
Phase 1b study in Parkinson's apathy was planned for H1 2025 — launch not publicly confirmed. Developed through subsidiary Ariadne Bio (CEO: Shlomi Raz, ex-Goldman Sachs MD, founder of Eleusis, ex-President Beckley Psytech).
Milestones
publication
CompletedActual: Nov 1, 2022
Cunningham et al. publish "Pharmacological Mechanism of the Non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A Agonist Ariadne and Analogs" in ACS Chemical Neuroscience. Key findings: single-dose (R)-Ariadne (10 mg/kg) reversed motor deficits on par with L-DOPA in auxilin knockout PD mice — despite having NO dopamine receptor activity. Confirmed non-hallucinogenic (4-6x weaker Gq signaling vs DOM).
Why it matters: Remarkable finding: a non-dopaminergic compound matching L-DOPA efficacy in PD models. If this translates, it would be the first non-dopaminergic motor treatment for Parkinson's — avoiding dyskinesia, impulse control, and psychosis side effects of current L-DOPA/agonist therapies. The 1970s Bristol-Myers 500-patient dataset provides unusual historical clinical support.
Company milestone
CompletedActual: Dec 11, 2024
Negev Labs emerges from stealth. Announces Ariadne Bio subsidiary (CEO: Shlomi Raz) targeting Parkinson's apathy with 4C-D/BL-3912A. Also announces ASRI licensing, Beckley ophthalmology acquisition, and Hadassah BrainLabs collaboration.
Why it matters: Public debut reveals the venture studio model and three distinct programmes. Shlomi Raz (founder of Eleusis, ex-Beckley President) brings deep psychedelic pharma experience and relationships to the Ariadne subsidiary.
Recorded Events
Dec 11, 2024: Company milestone
Nov 1, 2022: publication
Evidence Links
company-website - Negev Labs - Verified
HBL20017 (4-F-5-MeS-DMT)
Non-hallucinogenic tryptamine (4-fluoro-5-methylthio-DMT) developed with Hadassah BrainLabs / Parow Entheobiosciences. Potent 5-HT2C (EC50 0.80nM) > 5-HT1A > 5-HT2A > 5-HT2B receptor profile. Single dose reduced obsessive grooming in SAPAP3 KO mice for 42 days. Also shows efficacy in tic disorder/Tourette's model. Patent filed WO2025220005.
Programme Tracker
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Preclinical completed with remarkable single-dose durability. No IND filed. Developed in collaboration with Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research (Prof. Bernard Lerer) and synthesized by Pharmaron Inc.
Milestones
Efficacy data
CompletedActual: Aug 1, 2025
Preclinical data published (CINP/IJNP 2025): HBL20017 is non-hallucinogenic (no head-twitch despite 5-HT2A agonism). Single dose reduced obsessive self-grooming in SAPAP3 knockout mice (gold-standard OCD model) within 48 hours, with effects persisting up to 42 days. Also alleviated head-body twitches, suggesting potential in tic disorders / Tourette's. Anti-obsessional efficacy confirmed in marble burying test.
Why it matters: 42-day single-dose durability is extraordinary — current OCD medications (SSRIs, clomipramine) require daily dosing and take weeks to show effect. If HBL20017's durability translates clinically, it would fundamentally change OCD treatment from chronic daily medication to intermittent dosing. The tic disorder signal expands the addressable market to Tourette's syndrome.
Recorded Events
Aug 1, 2025: Efficacy data
Evidence Links
reference - Wikipedia - Verified
Athena Programme (Prader-Willi / ADHD Aggression)
Novel serotonergic compound (undisclosed) targeting impulsivity and aggression without stimulant side effects. Indications: Prader-Willi syndrome (orphan) and ADHD aggression. Developed via subsidiary Athena Neurosciences. Extensive anecdotal human use data. IND-enabling studies targeted 2026.
Programme Tracker
Neurocognitive Disorders
IND-enabling studies targeted 2026. Compound undisclosed. Developed through subsidiary Athena Neurosciences.
ELE-02 (Ophthalmology Neuroplastogen, ex-Beckley/Eleusis)
DOI analog designed for topical eye drop delivery to retinal 5-HT2A receptors. Targets diabetic retinopathy and age-related retinal degeneration. Originally developed at Eleusis Therapeutics (founded 2013 by Shlomi Raz), deprioritized by Beckley Psytech post-Eleusis acquisition, revived by Negev Labs Dec 2024.
Programme Tracker
Neurocognitive Disorders
Preclinical. Acquired from Beckley Psytech Dec 2024. Topical eye drop delivery demonstrated retinal penetration and anti-inflammatory/neuroprotective effects in preclinical models. No IND filed.
Milestones
partnership
CompletedActual: Dec 11, 2024
Negev Labs acquires Beckley Psytech's ophthalmology development programme (ELE-02, DOI analog for retinal 5-HT2A). Programme originated at Eleusis Therapeutics (Shlomi Raz), deprioritized by Beckley post-acquisition.
Why it matters: Revives a scientifically promising programme that was shelved for financial reasons. Topical 5-HT2A agonist eye drops for retinal degeneration is a unique mechanism with no competition in the psychedelic pharma space. Charles Nichols (LSUHSC, Eleusis scientific founder) published foundational work supporting this approach.
Recorded Events
Dec 11, 2024: partnership
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private Biotech
- Founded
- 2022
- Lead Stage
- Pre-clinical
- Website
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