Subject: Psychedelic medicine just passed its biggest test yet + 4 more stories of progress

Preview text: Psilocybin therapy aces two Phase 3 trials for treatment-resistant depression — plus free childcare, cheaper renewables

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🌟 Today's Lead

Psilocybin Therapy Hits Phase 3 Success for Treatment-Resistant Depression

For the millions of people whose depression doesn't respond to conventional antidepressants, this week brought a genuine breakthrough. Compass Pathways announced that its synthetic psilocybin formulation, COMP360, achieved the primary endpoint in not one but two Phase 3 clinical trials — the gold standard for drug approval.

The data showed a statistically significant reduction in depression symptoms compared to a lower dose, with the effects sustained for up to 26 weeks after just one or two administered doses. That's potentially six months of relief from a single treatment session, for patients who had exhausted other options.

This marks the first time a psilocybin-based therapy has successfully completed two late-stage trials, bringing psychedelic medicine closer than ever to mainstream regulatory approval. For the estimated 100 million people worldwide living with treatment-resistant depression, the path to a new class of medicine just became significantly shorter.

Source: STAT News · Coverage: The Economist

In Brief

💉 Next-Generation Flu Vaccines Could Prevent 18 Billion Cases by 2050

A new WHO assessment finds that improved or universal influenza vaccines, if widely deployed between 2025 and 2050, could prevent up to 18 billion cases of influenza and save up to 6.2 million lives globally. The assessment provides a roadmap for investment and policy decisions to accelerate development of vaccines offering broader, longer-lasting protection than current seasonal shots.

Source: World Health Organization

⚡ UK Renewables to Be Cheaper Than Gas by 2028, Creating 145,000 Jobs

New analysis by the Renewable Energy Association shows that even with grid upgrades, storage and transmission costs factored in, renewable electricity will undercut natural gas by 2028-2029. The report also found that following the UK's Clean Power 2030 pathway will create nearly 145,000 new jobs — a decisive economic tipping point for the energy transition.

Source: Positive News · Report: REA

👶 San Francisco Makes Childcare Free for Families Earning Under $230,000

In one of the world's most expensive cities, San Francisco announced free childcare for families earning less than $230,000 per year, with a 50% subsidy extending to $310,000. The initiative is part of a broader "Family Opportunity Agenda" covering housing, education, food and healthcare. The city joins New York City and New Mexico in dramatically expanding affordable childcare access.

Source: The Guardian

🌍 700+ Children Born in Bangladeshi Brothels Granted Birth Certificates

After years of tireless advocacy, over 700 children born in Bangladeshi brothels and streets have received official birth certificates for the first time. Organisations including the Freedom Fund identified an overlooked legal stipulation allowing births to be registered even without parental information. These documents unlock access to education, healthcare and protection from trafficking — transforming life prospects overnight.

Source: Positive News · Coverage: The Guardian

📊 Progress by Numbers

• 26 weeks — Duration of sustained depression relief from a single psilocybin dose in Phase 3 trials
• 18 billion — Influenza cases that next-gen vaccines could prevent by 2050
• 145,000 — New jobs expected from the UK's clean energy transition
• 700+ — Children in Bangladesh who received life-changing birth certificates

💡 One Thing You Can Do

Learn about treatment-resistant depression and the people it affects. If someone in your life is struggling with depression that hasn't responded to medication, today's news means new options may be on the horizon. Share this story — sometimes knowing help is coming makes all the difference.

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