HOPE Therapeutics Acquires Kadima Neuropsychiatry To Advance Treatments For CNS Disorders

HOPE Therapeutics, Inc., a medical and technology-driven company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has announced its plan to acquire the Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in La Jolla, CA. This acquisition is part of HOPE's plans to expand and build an international network of interventional psychiatry clinics. Kadima will become the flagship clinic in this network, aimed at providing advanced treatments for conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Kadima is recognised as one of the world’s leading interventional psychiatry clinics and was among the first to offer Ketamine Therapy at scale for Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders. 

The clinic provides a range of cutting-edge treatments for suicidal depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other CNS disorders, including Ketamine Therapy, Spravato® (nasal esketamine), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and medication management. Kadima also runs a robust research division and plays a key role in psychedelic research, having been a significant site for clinical trials in this area. Kadima has established relationships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and treats active-duty military personnel under Tricare and other programs. 

Dr. David Feifel said in a statement, "I am thrilled to join the leadership of HOPE at this exciting juncture. In a world where nearly 60 million Americans suffer from a mental illness in any given year, our dream has been to expand the successes and learnings of Kadima to an international stage, where we can continue to innovate and refine treatments that will create a world in which suicidal depression and PTSD are 100% treatable conditions, from which patients and their families should expect to return to empowered and productive lives."

The clinic’s founder and CEO, Prof. David Feifel, MD PhD, is a globally recognised leader in the field of interventional psychiatry, particularly in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. He is known for pioneering the use of subanesthetic dose ketamine infusions for neuropsychiatric disorders. He has published extensively on integrating medicines like ketamine with neuromodulation treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Upon finalising the acquisition, Dr. Feifel will join HOPE Therapeutics as the Chief Medical Innovation Officer, overseeing the development of new treatment options for CNS disorders ensuring that HOPE’s clinics remain at the forefront of psychiatric care. 

Jonathan Javitt, MD MPH and Matthew Duffy, Co-CEOs of HOPE Therapeutics, commented, "We are honoured to welcome David and the Kadima team to the HOPE family.  David has helped pioneer the field of interventional psychiatry. He is one of the few global thought leaders who has been able to span the worlds of academia and community health care delivery, serving the residents of his community as well as active-duty military and veterans in a town known for hosting some of America's most elite warriors. We are thrilled to count David as our partner for expanding the success of Kadima across the globe."

Dr Feifel will also help lead global clinical trials to advance treatments for these severe mental health conditions. In January 2025, Dr Feifel and NRx Chairman Prof. Jonathan Javitt will present a keynote address at the 8th Annual Neuroscience Innovation Forum during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, followed by investor meetings.