A biotechnology company developing LSD-based treatments for psychiatric conditions has asked a Delaware federal judge to dismiss — or significantly narrow — a trade secrets lawsuit brought by a former clinical trial services vendor.
Definium Therapeutics Inc., formerly known as Mind Medicine Inc. (MindMed), filed a motion arguing that the claims by Signant Health Holding Corp. lack sufficient detail and legal support. Signant provides services related to clinical trial data and logistics.
Signant alleges that Definium improperly shared confidential information — including trial methodologies and pricing data — with a new vendor after their business relationship ended. The lawsuit claims the information was used in connection with Definium’s continued research into psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Definium disputes those claims, describing the case as an attempt by a “disgruntled former vendor” to interfere with its research after losing a contract bid to a competitor, EMA Wellness.
In its motion to dismiss, Definium contends that Signant has failed to clearly identify any specific trade secrets that were allegedly misappropriated. The company argues that despite extensive discovery in related litigation filed in Pennsylvania federal court — including the production of thousands of documents — Signant has not pinpointed a legally protectable trade secret that was improperly disclosed.
The complaint references Definium’s director of global clinical development, Todd Solomon, alleging he had a financial interest in EMA and steered business to that firm.
However, Definium noted in its motion that Solomon is not named as a defendant in the Delaware case. The company argues that the complaint itself suggests any alleged disclosures were motivated by Solomon’s personal interests rather than actions taken on behalf of Definium.
According to Definium, the pleadings do not establish that the company directed or benefited from any improper disclosure of information.
Definium also maintains that it retained contractual rights to use certain work product developed during earlier Phase 2 clinical trials conducted in collaboration with Signant. The company argues that this undermines the claim that its continued use of materials was unlawful.
The Delaware case follows earlier litigation filed by Signant in Pennsylvania against EMA Wellness, which remains pending.
In addition to seeking dismissal of the trade secrets claims, Definium has asked the court to strike portions of the complaint that criticize its ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials and suggest patient safety concerns.
Definium argues that those allegations are unrelated to the trade secrets dispute and unfairly prejudice the company in a heavily regulated industry. The company states that Signant has had no involvement in the Phase 3 trials and therefore lacks a basis to challenge their conduct.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, centers on claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act and related state law theories. The case is assigned to Judge Gregory B. Williams.
