Optimi Health names Michael Blough to lead clinical development for psychedelic trials
The appointment supports Optimi's planned Phase 2 psilocybin trial for major depression and Phase 3 MDMA trial for PTSD, both expected to start enrolling in 2027.
Optimi Health Corp. (Nasdaq: OPTH) said on September 22, 2026 that it has appointed Michael Blough, Ph.D., as Chief Clinical Development Officer, a newly created role. Dr. Blough has worked with Optimi on clinical trial applications since 2022 and has experience leading Health Canada-authorized clinical trials, and he will oversee the company's clinical development strategy and related operations.1
His responsibilities include the company's planned Phase 2 trial evaluating naturally derived psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and the Phase 3 trial evaluating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, covering protocol execution, site activation, Health Canada interactions, and the datasets Optimi intends to use for drug registration.1 CEO Dane Stevens said both trials are expected to begin enrolling patients next year1.
Dr. Blough has more than 20 years of experience directing research programs across bench science, pre-clinical work, and clinical trials, including leading Health Canada authorization of multiple psilocybin and MDMA trials for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression, after 15 years in brain cancer research with more than 30 peer-reviewed papers on glioblastoma.1
The two trials referenced were previously announced. On September 16, 2026, Optimi disclosed plans for a Health Canada-authorized Phase 3 trial evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy in up to 100 veterans and frontline workers with PTSD, expected to begin in 20272, using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) as the primary efficacy endpoint2. On September 10, 2026, the company announced the Phase 2 trial, authorized by Health Canada to enroll up to 200 participants testing a single supervised dose of natural psilocybin, with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale as the primary efficacy endpoint3.
Optimi is a Health Canada-licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer producing validated MDMA and botanical psilocybin drug products in British Columbia, with products currently prescribed in Australia under that country's Authorized Prescriber Scheme and accessible in Canada through the Special Access Program.1
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