George Goldsmith
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, COMPASS Pathways
Co-founded COMPASS Pathways after his son's treatment-resistant depression did not respond to available treatments — now leading the largest psilocybin clinical trial program toward FDA approval.
Biography
George Goldsmith co-founded COMPASS Pathways in 2016 with Ekaterina Malievskaia after their son developed treatment-resistant depression and they could not find adequate care within conventional medicine.
COMPASS conducted the largest Phase 2b trial of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression (n=233), which produced a significant primary endpoint and became the pivotal data set supporting an NDA submission expected in late 2026.
Goldsmith has been one of the most important figures in professionalizing the psychedelic medicine field — attracting institutional investment, navigating regulatory pathways, and bringing pharmaceutical-grade rigor to psilocybin development. COMPASS has been both praised for this and criticized by some in the community for its patent activity.
He regularly engages with FDA, EMA, and parliamentary bodies on the regulatory development of psilocybin.
Organizations
Why They Matter to the LearnShrooms Community
COMPASS Pathways is the company closest to FDA approval for psilocybin. The Phase 3 NDA process Goldsmith is leading will determine whether psilocybin becomes a prescription medicine in the US.
