Vilnius-based biotech startup Psylink has secured €501,521 in pre-seed funding in a round led by Coinvest Capital, with participation from Firstpick, BSV Ventures, and a group of angel investors. The company is building a biotechnology platform focused on the sustainable production of plant- and fungi-derived compounds, with the goal of identifying and evaluating new molecular candidates for mental health therapies. The investment will support the development of Psylink’s biosynthetic processes—using engineered yeast to produce natural compounds—and advance its research into potential treatments for conditions such as depression and PTSD, especially in cases where conventional treatments have been ineffective.
Psylink is a biotechnology company based in Lithuania that focuses on developing new treatment approaches for mental health disorders, particularly in cases where conventional therapies have limited effectiveness. The company operates at the intersection of neuroscience and natural product research, using engineered yeast cells to produce plant- and fungi-derived compounds through biosynthetic methods. Psylink’s research also includes the identification and preclinical evaluation of novel molecular candidates, including psychedelic derivatives, for conditions such as depression and PTSD.
“At Psylink, we’re developing science-based therapies inspired by nature to help those who haven’t benefited from conventional treatments. We’re proud to partner with investors who recognize the urgency and potential of this work. Our multidisciplinary team is united by a clear mission: to create safe, effective, and sustainable solutions for mental health, drawing on the rich diversity of bioactive compounds found in plants and fungi,” said Laura Korsakova, CEO of Psylink.
“Psylink stands out by combining rigorous biotechnology with the therapeutic potential of natural compounds – an approach that is not only innovative but also grounded in strong scientific validation. What impressed us is their ability to bridge traditional wisdom and modern neuroscience. This is exactly the kind of transformative innovation the mental healthcare market urgently needs, and we believe Psylink is well-positioned to lead in this emerging space,” Viktorija Trimbel, Managing Director of Coinvest Capital, noted.
“Psylink’s work with next-generation psychedelic derivatives has the potential to redefine what’s possible for patients facing mental health challenges. I’m honored to support the team at this early stage and to help bring these much-needed therapies closer to those who need them most,” said Erin Gainer, lead of the angel investor syndicate.
Firstpick and BSV also participated in this investment round.
“Psylink is a rare example of deep-tech innovation from our region, addressing a global challenge with scientific clarity and purpose. We’re proud to support a team developing real biotech with the potential to transform how we treat mental health,” commented Sandra Golbreich, Partner at BSV Ventures.
Psylink was established to address a critical gap in the mental healthcare market by developing novel treatments for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. With an estimated 30–40% of individuals with depression experiencing minimal or no benefit from standard antidepressants, there is a clear and growing demand for more effective, science-driven alternatives – an area Psylink is uniquely positioned to lead. Psylink operates as a deep-tech startup at the intersection of biotechnology, neuroscience, and natural product discovery.
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/psylink-secures-e501k-pre-seed/
