Former US Veterans Affairs Secretary Joins Emyria
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 September 2026 1
ASX RELEASE.
21 September 2026
FORMER SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DR. DAVID
SHULKIN JOINS EMYRIA TO ACCELERATE US STRATEGY
Appointment marks a pivotal step in Emyria’s US strategy, bringing former US cabinet-level
and federal healthcare experience as the Company targets the world’s largest healthcare
market amid growing momentum in psychedelic medicine.
Emyria Limited (ASX: EMD) (“Emyria”, or the “Company”), a leader in innovative mental
health treatments, is pleased to announce the appointment of former U.S. Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, Dr David Shulkin, as Strategic Advisor to the Company.
The appointment strengthens Emyria’s U.S. strategic capability to pursue partnerships
and commercial opportunities as federal agencies increase their focus on psychedelic
medicine, veterans’ health and the potential future delivery of novel mental health
treatments.
About Dr David Shulkin – U.S Healthcare and Veterans’ Health Leadership
Dr Shulkin is a physician, healthcare executive and former U.S. Cabinet Secretary with
extensive experience across federal healthcare, veterans’ health, hospital systems,
clinical leadership, and healthcare innovation.
Appointed Under Secretary for Health by President Barack Obama in 2015, Dr Shulkin
• Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr David Shulkin joins Emyria as
Strategic Advisor, bringing senior U.S. federal healthcare and Veterans’ health
experience gained through leadership roles under Presidents Barack Obama and
Donald Trump.
• As Secretary, Dr Shulkin led one of the world’s largest integrated healthcare
systems1
, overseeing more than 350,000 employees, approximately 1,400 facilities and
healthcare services for more than 9 million U.S. Veterans.
• He also brings relevant ASX healthcare experience through his advisory role with
4DMedical Limited (ASX: 4DX), where he was appointed in 20232
to support its U.S.
Veterans Affairs strategy. Since his appointment, 4DMedical has expanded its
activities across the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense.
• Appointment follows Emyria’s selection by the U.S. FDA for an in-person speaking
position at recent psychedelic medicines hearing3
, placing the Company directly
before senior representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and
Veterans Health Administration in discussions on the potential future therapeutic use
and delivery of psychedelic medicines.
• U.S. federal action on psychedelic medicine continues to accelerate, following
President Trump’s April 2026 Executive Order and initiatives from the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and FDA
focused on research, clinical development, and potential future treatment delivery4
.
ASX RELEASE.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 September 2026 2
was subsequently appointed Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by
President Donald Trump in 2017, becoming the only Cabinet Secretary unanimously
confirmed by the U.S. Senate during the Trump Administration.
As Secretary for Veterans Affairs, Dr Shulkin led one of the world’s largest integrated
healthcare systems, overseeing more than 350,000 employees, approximately 1,400
facilities and healthcare services for over 9 million U.S. Veterans.
Dr David Shulkin, former U.S Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during his tenure in the U.S Government.
He has also held senior executive and clinical leadership positions across major U.S.
healthcare systems and has been recognised by Modern Healthcare as one of the “100
Most Influential People in Healthcare5
”.
Dr Shulkin also brings experience supporting an ASX-listed healthcare company
pursuing U.S. federal healthcare opportunities, having joined 4DMedical Limited (ASX:
4DX) as an advisor during its expansion into the U.S. Veterans Affairs market.
4DMedical has since established a significant U.S. healthcare presence.
US Federal Push For Psychedelic Medicine Accelerates
Dr Shulkin’s appointment comes as U.S. federal agencies increase their focus on the
research, clinical development, and potential future delivery of psychedelic-assisted
therapies6
.
In July 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Department of Health and
Human Services (“HHS”) entered a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen
collaboration on psychedelic research, clinical development, and the responsible
deployment of potential future FDA-approved therapies for Veterans4
.
The VA is currently involved in 20 active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for
mental health conditions, supported by the VA Office of Research and Development
and more than US$23 million in external funding4
.
Importantly for Emyria, this federal activity is increasingly extending beyond drug
development toward the healthcare infrastructure that may be required for future
ASX RELEASE.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 September 2026 3
treatment delivery, including clinician education and training, workforce capability,
evidence-based care models and safe integration into established healthcare settings.
This emerging focus on treatment delivery and workforce readiness is directly relevant
to Emyria’s established clinical capabilities and operating experience.
Emyria’s Differentiated Clinical Delivery Platform
Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, these treatments require specialised clinical
infrastructure, long-duration supervised treatment, trained multidisciplinary teams,
structured treatment protocols and robust clinical governance.
Emyria has spent several years developing the clinical infrastructure required to safely
deliver complex mental health treatments, including:
.
• Specialised and supervised treatment environments;
• Trained multidisciplinary clinical teams;
• Treatment protocols and clinical governance;
• Clinician training and workforce development;
• Regulatory, ethics and drug logistics capability; and
• Longitudinal real-world patient data and evidence generation.
These capabilities provide Emyria with a differentiated clinical delivery platform
capable of supporting drug sponsors, healthcare systems and other organisations
involved in the research, evaluation, and potential future delivery of psychedelic-
assisted therapies.
Emyria’s platform is already being commercially utilised by North American
psychedelic medicine company Psyence Biomed, with Emyria supporting clinical trial
delivery through its Empax Global Partnership Program.
Emyria is acting as a clinical trial site for Psyence’s Phase IIb trial in adjustment disorder
in patients with advanced cancer, demonstrating the Company’s ability to support
international drug developers through its established clinical infrastructure.
Strategic Rational and Dr Shulkin Role
Dr Shulkin’s appointment strengthens Emyria’s capability to pursue U.S. partnerships
and commercial opportunities across federal healthcare, veterans’ health and the
emerging psychedelic treatment-delivery ecosystem.
Dr Shulkin will provide strategic advice focused on government, healthcare and
industry engagement, strategic partnerships and opportunities aligned with Emyria’s
clinical delivery platform.
His role will include supporting Emyria in evaluating opportunities across:
• Clinical and research partnerships;
• U.S. federal healthcare and veterans’ health opportunities;
• Healthcare system, government, and industry engagement; and
• Strategic partnerships with drug developers and organisations
requiring specialist clinical delivery capability.
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Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 September 2026 4
Dr David Shulkin, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, commented:
“The United States is entering an important phase in the development of psychedelic
medicine, with increasing attention being given not only to clinical research, but also
to how these treatments may ultimately be delivered safely and effectively within
established healthcare systems.
Emyria has developed practical experience across supervised treatment delivery,
clinical protocols, clinician training and real-world patient data.
I look forward to working with the Company as it evaluates opportunities to apply that
experience within the evolving U.S. healthcare landscape.”
Emyria Executive Chair Greg Hutchinson commented:
“Dr Shulkin’s appointment is a highly strategic engagement for Emyria as we build
our presence and relationships in the United States.
As the U.S. moves from psychedelic research toward considering how potential future
approved treatments could be safely delivered at scale, the importance of clinical
infrastructure, trained workforces and established care models is increasing.
Dr Shulkin’s experience across federal healthcare and Veterans’ health significantly
strengthens Emyria’s capability to pursue partnerships and commercial
opportunities in the United States for our established clinical delivery platform.”
References
1) https://www.congress.gov/115/meeting/house/106804/witnesses/HHRG-115-VR00-Bio-ShulkinMDT-20180206-
U5.pdf
2) https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20230413/pdf/45nm2slj4x9m5w.pdf
3) See ASX announcement 10 September 2026
4) https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-va-partner-advance-psychedelic-therapies-veterans.html
5) https://www.modernhealthcare.com/awards/100-most-influential/2017/
6) See ASX announcement 20 April 2026
This announcement has been approved by the Board of Emyria.
For further information, investment opportunities, or more about Emyria’s
approach to mental health treatment, please contact:
Greg Hutchinson Executive Chair
1300 436 363 | investors@emyria.com
ASX RELEASE.
Emyria ASX Announcement | 21 September 2026 5
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Any statements in this press release about
future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, the Company’s strategy, future operations, and
other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,”
“predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions,
constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the Company’s ability to
successfully develop its product candidates and timely complete its planned clinical programs and the
Company’s ability to obtain marketing approvals for its product candidates. In addition, the forward-looking
statements included in this press release represents the Company’s views as of the date hereof. The Company
anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s views to change. However,
while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the
Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Risks associated with the use of MDMA, MDMA-inspired compounds and psilocybin
All medicines carry risks and specialist prescribers, such as registered psychiatrists, are best placed to assess
the suitability of a new medication against a patient’s individual circumstances and medical history before
proceeding. Adverse effects of MDMA include high blood pressure, increased pulse rate, faintness, and panic
attacks, and in some rare cases it can cause loss of consciousness or trigger seizures. Other side effects include
involuntary jaw clenching, decreased appetite, restless legs, nausea, headache, sweating and muscle/joint
stiffness. Adverse effects of psilocybin can include temporary increase in blood pressure and a raised heart rate.
There may be some risk of psychosis in predisposed individuals. The effects of MDMA and psilocybin are
unlikely at low doses in the treatment regimens used in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy while
appropriately managed in a controlled environment with direct medical supervision. The risk profile of the
MDMA inspired compounds is currently unknown.
The availability of these products is subject to the safety and efficacy of the products being tested through
clinical trials. Emyria makes no representations or warranties as to the safety or efficacy of the products or the
products’ ability (or the ability of its key compounds) to be used in the treatment of indications such as PTSD.
There are currently no approved products containing MDMA, psilocybin or MDMA inspired compounds that
the TGA has evaluated for quality, safety and efficacy.
Emyria Limited develops and delivers new treatments for mental health and select neurological
conditions through an integrated model of direct clinical services and treatment development:
Emyria Healthcare: Evidence-based treatment for patients not finding relief
from conventional care while also helping evaluate emerging new therapies like
assisted therapy for PTSD and assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Emyria Data: Robust and ethically sourced Real-World Data gathered with patients
to improve Emyria’s unique therapy and drug development programs.
Emyria’s Pipeline: New psychedelic-assisted therapies and drug treatments for mental
health and select neurological diseases.
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