Here’s the press release (below) .. for me it’s just fun to watch all the machinations and see them all constantly change the dressings for their future brain salad surgery range of products. Note how I got an Emerson Lake & Palmer reference in there.. quite pleased with that!
Brought to you by Emyria
Special Report: Emyria has appointed former US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr David Shulkin as a strategic adviser as the mental healthcare company looks to strengthen its presence in the US.
Dr Shulkin is a physician, healthcare executive and former US Cabinet Secretary who has worked across federal healthcare, veterans’ health, hospital systems and clinical leadership.
Shulkin served as US Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2018, having previously served as Under Secretary for Health under President Barack Obama.
As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr Shulkin oversaw more than 350,000 employees, around 1400 facilities and healthcare services for over 9 million US veterans.
In his new role with Emyria (ASX:EMD), Shulkin will provide strategic advice on US government, healthcare and industry engagement, partnerships and opportunities aligned with the company’s clinical delivery platform.
He also has experience with an ASX-listed healthcare company, having joined 4DMedical (ASX:4DX) in 2023 to support its expansion into the US Veterans Affairs market.
EMD noted that since his appointment 4DX had expanded its activities across the US Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense.
Increasing US focus on psychedelic research and clinical development
Shulkin’s appointment follows EMD’s selection for an in-person speaking position at a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public hearing, which examined the potential future therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs.
The ‘Considerations for Potential Future Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs’ hearing was held at the FDA’s White Oak Campus in Maryland on September 14.
EMD said US federal agencies were increasing their focus on the research and clinical development of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
In July 2026, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration on psychedelic research and clinical development.
The MOU included the responsible deployment of potential future FDA-approved therapies for veterans.
EMD noted the VA was currently involved in 20 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions, supported by the VA Office of Research and Development and more than US$23 million in external funding.
EMD said US attention was also extending to infrastructure that could be required for future treatment delivery, including clinician education and training, workforce capability and integration into established healthcare settings.
EMD said its existing clinical infrastructure included supervised treatment environments, multidisciplinary clinical teams, treatment protocols, clinical governance and clinician training.
The company’s Empax Global Partnership Program also supports clinical trial delivery for international drug developers.
It is a clinical trial site for North American company Psyence Biomed’s Phase IIb trial in adjustment disorder in patients with advanced cancer.
Shulkin’s role at Emyria
EMD said Shulkin would support its pursuit of partnerships and commercial opportunities across federal healthcare, veterans’ health and the research and clinical infrastructure associated with potential future psychedelic therapies.
He will provide strategic advice focused on government, healthcare and industry engagement, strategic partnerships and opportunities aligned with EMD’s clinical delivery platform including:
- Clinical and research partnerships
- US federal healthcare and veterans’ health opportunities
- Healthcare system, government, and industry engagement
- Strategic partnerships with drug developers and organisations requiring specialist clinical delivery capability
“The United States is entering an important phase in the development of psychedelic medicine, with increasing attention being given not only to clinical research, but also to how these treatments may ultimately be delivered safely and effectively within established healthcare systems,” Shulkin said.
“Emyria has developed practical experience across supervised treatment delivery, clinical protocols, clinician training and real-world patient data.
“I look forward to working with the company as it evaluates opportunities to apply that experience within the evolving US healthcare landscape.”
Executive chair Greg Hutchinson said Shulkin’s appointment was a highly strategic engagement as EMD built its presence and relationships in the US.
“As the US moves from psychedelic research toward considering how potential future approved treatments could be safely delivered at scale, the importance of clinical infrastructure, trained workforces and established care models is increasing,” he said.
“Dr Shulkin’s experience across federal healthcare and Veterans’ health significantly strengthens Emyria’s capability to pursue partnerships and commercial opportunities in the United States for our established clinical delivery platform.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Emyria, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
