Show Notes
Psychedelics are poised for a breakthrough in mainstream psychiatry, with high interest among physicians and patients alike. But does the infrastructure exist to deliver these treatments, given the clinical supervision required for administration? RBC’s researchers have been out in the field to find the answer. Brian Abrahams, Head of Global Healthcare Research, and Leonid Timashev, Biotechnology Analyst, reveal their findings on the practicalities of a psychedelics roll-out. Key Points Patient and physician interest and favorable regulation signal an imminent breakthrough for psychedelics to treat mental ill-health. April’s Presidential order on accelerated research and access for veterans with PTSD is also supportive. Psychedelics raise challenges for clinical trials, but companies are finding ways to handle these. RBC’s research indicates existing clinic infrastructure is equipped to deliver psychedelics with the required clinical supervision. Introductions [00:06]
Host Joe Coletti introduces the podcast and guests: Brian Abrahams, Head of Global Healthcare Research, and Leonid Timashev, Biotechnology Analyst. The springboard for discussion is the case made in the recent RBC Imagine report that a transformation in mental health treatment is imminent. Pivotal moment for psychedelics [01:06]
Psychedelic drugs have the potential to deliver effective treatment for huge unmet patient need. Expert opinion at an RBC symposium indicates high physician interest, favorable pricing and reimbursement dynamics, limited generic risk, and an increasingly clear regulatory path. Executive order on PTSD [05:06]
The recent Presidential executive order, sanctioning accelerated research and access in this field specifically for veterans with PTSD, is another tailwind. Risks and challenges [06:22]
Psychedelic drugs raise specific challenges in clinical trials, but these are surmountable. The biggest concern for investors is the capacity to commercialize psychedelic treatments at scale, given the need for clinical supervision. Infrastructure for delivery [07:48]
RBC’s research, based on clinics already delivering Spravato, suggests psychedelic treatments could be launched within existing infrastructure. Patients are enthusiastic; clinicians are already preparing for delivery. Listen and subscribe to Strategic Alternatives on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share the podcast with others.
More from Strategic Alternatives
Recorded at the Milken Institute’s Canada Dialogue, this episode explores Canada’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem. Host Joe Coletti introduces a conversation featuring Cohere co‑founder Aidan Gomez, Canada’s Minister of AI Evan Solomon, and RBC CEO Dave McKay. Together, they examine the challenges of AI regulation and safety, the competitive dynamics shaping frontier models, and Canada’s opportunity to build a sovereign, democratic alternative in a rapidly evolving global market. This episode was originally published on Disruptors, an RBC podcast, on September 16, 2026. For more information, visit Disruptors podcast. Key points: Canada’s foundational role in AI: Canada’s early investment in deep learning and its homegrown talent base underpin its leadership in frontier model development. Regulation and competition: Oversight is essential, but regulation must avoid entrenching incumbents or limiting innovation from emerging players. Sovereign access to frontier models: Unequal access to advanced AI tools creates cyber‑security risks and highlights the need for national capability outside the U.S. Acceleration of product development: AI is compressing development cycles from years to months, reshaping how companies build and deploy new products. Workforce transformation: AI will change jobs more than eliminate them, requiring flexibility, reskilling, and new social guardrails. A democratic “second rail”: As global buyers diversify away from single‑country dependence, Canada and France represent the leading democratic alternatives for frontier AI. Canada’s moment: With talent, capital, compute, and natural resources, Canada has the ingredients to build a global AI champion — but must act quickly.
Despite rate volatility and macro uncertainty, muni issuance is on pace for one of its strongest years in decades. Host Bob Spangler, Head of U.S. Municipal Finance, sits down with Keith Solomon, Head of Municipal Products, to break down the forces shaping today’s municipal market. They explore why demand remains resilient, which sectors are driving activity, and how issuers and investors are adapting to a rapidly evolving environment.
Software sentiment has shifted significantly as investors reassess the impact of AI across the sector. In this episode, Matt Hedberg and Rishi Jaluria discuss opportunities emerging across cybersecurity, data and infrastructure, the evolution of software business models, and where value may accrue across the software stack. They also explore cyber resilience and the economics of buy-versus-build decisions.
The UK is acknowledged as a renewables leader. Heavy transmission investment will help it enhance energy security alongside clean power. But when it comes to the third point of the energy trilemma, affordability, there’s a problem: the country’s electricity demand is just too low. Chris Stark, the UK government’s Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, sets out its strategy in conversation at RBC Capital Markets’ Energy Transition Conference. What is the Clean Power 2030 mission? [00:51]
Consumer staples companies face mounting pressure from changing consumer behavior, a widening K-shaped economy and the growing influence of digital platforms. Nik Modi discusses the key themes from The Great Recalibration: Consumer Staples Edition and the actions boards and management teams should consider for the future. Key Points Long-standing valuation pressure and a more volatile operating environment are forcing consumer staples companies to rethink traditional approaches to growth and value creation. Income bifurcation is reshaping demand patterns, with growth increasingly concentrated at the high and low ends of the market. Simplifying choice and aligning products with consumer occasions could help brands address rising decision fatigue. Digital platforms are becoming powerful demand-creation ecosystems where cultural relevance can be as important as brand scale. Companies should focus on capabilities, resilience and organizational structures that help them compete effectively in a different future landscape.