Perth-based Emyria (ASX: EMD), an ASX-listed biotech that specialises in clinical services and treatments for mental health and neurological conditions, has undertaken a leadership change ahead of anticipated growth in 2025 that has partly been aided by a new administration in the US.

CEO Dr Michael Winlo will step down from his position after more than five years in the role to assume the new title of chief scientific officer (CSO).

In his place, non-executive chairman Greg Hutchinson will become executive chairman to lead the business, capitalising on expected growth in demand for its care programs and its new therapies.

Emyria, an alternative medicine company that has developed CBD treatments for seizures and is exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), operates the PAX Centre and Empax Centre in Perth where it has undertaken clinical trials for various treatments.

The company partnered with the University of Western Australia in 2021 to study how 100 MDMA-like compounds could help treat patients suffering from PTSD and Parkinson's disease.

In 2023, Emyria launched a new solution for tackling depression via a ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) program based at the Pax Centre.

“Emyria is uniquely positioned to transform mental health care in Australia as well as other global jurisdictions,” says Hutchinson.

“I look forward to positioning the company for growth, and drive expansion of its exceptional clinical services to meet the rising demand for better mental health interventions.

“I would like to thank Dr Michael Winlo for his five years of service as managing director and CEO of Emyria."

In his new role, which takes effect from today, Winlo will oversee Emyria’s “real-world evidence” research, clinical trials and proprietary drug discovery programs.

Hutchinson, who the company says has a “distinguished track record scaling national clinical operations”, will drive business growth following “encouraging clinical results” from Emyria’s mental health programs, including MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression.

In a corporate update in November, Emirya pointed out that investor confidence in psychedelics was on the rebound, aided by a shift in the political landscape with the election of Donald Trump as US President, that the company said “may signal broader acceptance and support for these treatments”.

Hutchinson noted in the update that Emyria is the only ASX-listed company delivering direct care in the field of mental health, adding that through its programs the company is “uniquely positioned and obligated” to address the challenge.

Winlo sees 2025 is as potentially a “transformative year for Emyria” driven by Hutchinson’s expertise in growing clinical services and expanding the company’s engagement with “payers”.

The new CSO is referring to major health funders that the company has previously said are actively engaging with Emyria “to explore the most effective ways to support and fund our programs”.

“I am excited to continue supporting the company by dedicating my energy, skills and experience to Emyria’s critical research and discovery programs,” says Winlo.

“Our growing body of real-world evidence will play a pivotal role in refining our unique approach to mental health treatments and scaling access to those who need them most."

Emyria shares shot up 0.6c, or almost 19 per cent, to 3.8c at 10.48am (AEDT).

Help us deliver quality journalism to you.As a free and independent news site providing daily updates during a period of unprecedented challenges for businesses everywherewe call on your support