Key Points
- Its loss of $0.56 per share missed analysts' expectations by $0.03 per share.
- R&D and G&A expenses increased.
- Clinical trials for its COMP360 psilocybin treatment demonstrated positive progress.
Compass Pathways (CMPS -4.03%), an innovator the mental health space, released its second quarter report on July 30. The headline figure was a wider loss than anticipated, as it reported a net loss of $0.56 per share compared to the consensus estimate of a $0.53 loss per share. While that red ink was significant, losing money is normal for a pre-revenue biotech with no approved treatments, and the quarter did feature substantial advancements in its clinical trials, as well as updates on leadership positions.
| Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2024 Analyst Estimate | Q2 2023 | % Change YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net earnings | ($38.1 million) | - | ($28.3 million) | N/A |
| EPS | ($0.56) | ($0.53) | ($0.62) | N/A |
| R&D expenses | $29.1 million | - | $19.8 million | 46.7% |
| G&A expenses | $14.3 million | - | $12.8 million | 11% |
| Source: Analyst estimates for the quarter provided by FactSet. |
Compass Pathways: Business and Recent Focuses
Compass Pathways is developing therapies for treatment-resistant conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its primary focus is on its flagship treatment, COMP360 psilocybin -- a synthetic version of the naturally occurring psychedelic -- which is currently in advanced clinical trial stages.
Recently, the company has concentrated its efforts on progressing its late-stage clinical trials and strengthening its leadership team to better manage future commercialization and strategic planning.
Quarterly Highlights
During this quarter, the company's R&D expenses rose to $29.1 million, up from $19.8 million in Q2 2023. This was largely due to the ongoing phase 3 clinical trials for COMP360 psilocybin and the hiring of additional personnel. General and administrative (G&A) expenses also grew to $14.3 million from $12.8 million the previous year, due to increased headcount.
A key highlight was the progress in COMP360’s clinical trials for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. The company is conducting the largest-ever randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial for psilocybin. The COMP005 trial's top-line data is expected in the fourth quarter, and the COMP006 trial's primary endpoint data is slated for mid-2025.
The company also announced positive outcomes from its phase 2 trial for COMP360 psilocybin in PTSD. Participants in that trial demonstrated meaningful improvements in symptoms with no serious adverse events.
Enhancing the leadership team, Gino Santini joined Compass as chairman, bringing over a decade of board leadership and governance experience. Lori Englebert also joined as chief commercial officer, adding significant expertise in commercial and business development from her previous tenure at Axsome Therapeutics.
Compass Pathways maintained a robust cash position of $228.6 million as of June 30, compared to $220.2 million at the end of 2023. This slight increase suggests effective liquidity management and strategic financial planning.
Looking Forward
Management said it expected to use between $32 million and $38 million on operating activities in Q3, and between $110 million and $130 million for the full year. Assuming that it receives its 2023 R&D tax credit, the company expects to have sufficient cash to fund its operations into 2026.
Interested investors should closely monitor the outcomes of the pivotal phase 3 trials for COMP360 psilocybin, from which significant announcements are expected in late 2024 and mid-2025.
