Psyched: DEA Revisits Ban On Two Psychedelics, Farewell Russell Newcombe, Podcast Episode On Kanna & More
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 17 2024
0mins
Should l Buy CMPS?
Source: Benzinga
- DEA Revisiting Classification of Psychedelic Compounds: The DEA is reconsidering the classification of two psychedelic compounds, DOI and DOC, proposing to list them as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
- Passing of Russell Newcombe: April 4 marked the passing of Russell Newcombe, a significant figure in harm reduction advocacy and drug research globally.
- Benzinga Psychedelics Podcast Episode: Stephanie Wang, founder of KA! Empathogenics, discussed alternative mental health approaches using plant medicine like kanna on the Benzinga Psychedelics Podcast.
- Atai Life Sciences Results: Atai Life Sciences shared its Q4 and full-year 2023 results.
- Stock Market Updates: Various companies in the psychedelics sector such as Mind Medicine, COMPASS Pathways, and Atai Life Sciences saw fluctuations in their stock prices according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Analyst Views on CMPS
Wall Street analysts forecast CMPS stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 6.660
Low
8.00
Averages
18.43
High
40.00
Current: 6.660
Low
8.00
Averages
18.43
High
40.00
About CMPS
Compass Pathways plc is a United Kingdom-based biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. The Company is engaged in treating mental health conditions focused on rapid and durable responses through the development of its investigational COMP360 psilocybin treatment. COMP360 is its psilocybin formulation that includes its pharmaceutical-grade polymorphic crystalline psilocybin, optimized for stability and purity. The Company’s initial focus is on treatment-resistant depression (TRD), comprising patients who are inadequately served by the current treatment paradigm. It commenced its Phase III program evaluating its COMP360 psilocybin treatment in TRD. In addition, the Company has ongoing Phase II trials in PTSD and anorexia nervosa. It also provides support to research institutions conducting investigator-initiated studies with COMP360 psilocybin in areas of serious unmet need.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Trump Administration to Examine Ibogaine Research for PTSD Funding
- Government Focus on Ibogaine: The Trump administration plans to closely examine ibogaine's safety and effectiveness, maintaining its Schedule I classification, which indicates a cautious approach to its potential medical applications.
- Research Funding Opening: President Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at unlocking federal funding for research into ibogaine's effectiveness for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, particularly among veterans, signaling a significant policy shift.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the news, shares of Psyence Biomedical (PBM) surged over 141% on Thursday, potentially marking its best trading session, reflecting strong market confidence in the company's natural-derived therapies.
- Market Sentiment Extremely Bullish: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around PBM stock remained in the 'extremely bullish' territory with message volume spiking, despite the stock having fallen approximately 95% over the past year.
See More
Trump Plans Executive Order to Boost Psychedelic Research
- Psychedelic Stocks Surge: Following CBS News' report on Trump's plan to sign an executive order to promote ibogaine research, stocks of psychedelic companies like Atai Life Sciences (ATAI) and COMPASS Pathways (CMPS) saw significant gains, indicating a positive market reaction to potential policy changes.
- Funding for Research: The White House's draft order aims to release federal funding for research into ibogaine's effectiveness for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, particularly among veterans, which could create new business opportunities for related companies.
- Current Drug Legality: Despite the push for research, ibogaine will remain classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it will not be reclassified for medical use, potentially limiting its market potential.
- Demand for Overseas Treatment: With ibogaine illegal in the U.S., many Americans are seeking treatment at unregulated clinics in Mexico, highlighting a pressing need for legalization and regulation that may prompt policymakers to reconsider existing laws.
See More
Compass Pathways Launches Training Grant Program for COMP360
- Grant Program Launch: Compass Pathways has announced a grant program inviting U.S.-based organizations to apply for funding to develop training content for healthcare providers, aimed at preparing them for the anticipated launch of COMP360 psilocybin treatment, ensuring effective patient care.
- Training Content Development: The program will support the creation of high-quality training materials, including a specific module for COMP360, with up to three organizations expected to receive grants, thereby enhancing healthcare providers' expertise in mental health and ensuring consistent patient experiences.
- Application Timeline: Grant applications will be open from April 14 to May 14, 2026, with applicants required to demonstrate experience in psychedelic training design and delivery, ensuring that training content meets regulatory standards and enhances overall care quality.
- Strategic Implications: This initiative not only prepares for the commercial launch of COMP360 but also reflects Compass Pathways' commitment to elevating mental health treatment standards, aiming to collaborate with experienced training organizations to ensure healthcare teams can deliver psilocybin treatment at scale once approved.
See More
Compass Pathways to Attend Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference
- Conference Participation: Compass Pathways plc will attend the Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference on April 14, 2026, participating in a fireside chat at 12:45 PM ET, showcasing its innovations in mental health.
- Live Webcast: The event will be accessible via a live audio webcast on the 'Events' page of the Compass website, enhancing transparency and allowing investors to stay updated on the company's developments.
- Treatment Innovation: Compass is pioneering a new paradigm in mental health treatment with its investigational COMP360 synthetic psilocybin therapy, which has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA, indicating its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression.
- Global Vision: Headquartered in London with an office in New York, the company aims to empower individuals with serious mental health conditions who are not helped by existing treatments, striving to improve global mental health outcomes.
See More
Compass Pathways Grants Equity Awards to New Employees
- Equity Award Program: On April 1, 2026, Compass Pathways plc granted equity awards to seven newly hired non-executive employees, totaling 117,445 stock options and 55,875 restricted share units, aimed at attracting and retaining key talent, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the biotechnology sector.
- Option Exercise Price: The granted options have an exercise price of $5.62 per share, equal to the closing price of the company's American Depositary Shares on the grant date, which aligns employee interests with those of shareholders and promotes long-term value creation.
- Vesting Schedule: These options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments, a structure that not only incentivizes long-term employee retention but also enhances team stability and execution capability.
- Compliance Review: In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), the equity awards were approved by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Board, ensuring compliance and transparency in talent acquisition, which further boosts investor confidence.
See More
COMPASS Pathways Reports Earnings and Financing Details
- Earnings Miss: COMPASS Pathways reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of -$1.00, missing expectations by $0.59, indicating challenges in profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Cash Position: As of December 31, 2025, the company's cash and cash equivalents stood at $149.6 million, down from $165.1 million in 2024, reflecting pressure on cash management that could limit future investment capabilities.
- Debt Increase: COMPASS's debt as of December 31, 2025, was $31.6 million, up from $30.2 million in 2024, indicating challenges in debt management that may impact financial flexibility.
- Financing Initiatives: COMPASS Pathways raised $200 million through warrant exercises and plans to price a $150 million ADS offering, demonstrating proactive measures in capital raising to support future operational and capital expenditure needs.
See More
Trump Administration to Examine Ibogaine Research for PTSD Funding
- Government Focus on Ibogaine: The Trump administration plans to closely examine ibogaine's safety and effectiveness, maintaining its Schedule I classification, which indicates a cautious approach to its potential medical applications.
- Research Funding Opening: President Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at unlocking federal funding for research into ibogaine's effectiveness for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, particularly among veterans, signaling a significant policy shift.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the news, shares of Psyence Biomedical (PBM) surged over 141% on Thursday, potentially marking its best trading session, reflecting strong market confidence in the company's natural-derived therapies.
- Market Sentiment Extremely Bullish: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around PBM stock remained in the 'extremely bullish' territory with message volume spiking, despite the stock having fallen approximately 95% over the past year.
See More
Trump Plans Executive Order to Boost Psychedelic Research
- Psychedelic Stocks Surge: Following CBS News' report on Trump's plan to sign an executive order to promote ibogaine research, stocks of psychedelic companies like Atai Life Sciences (ATAI) and COMPASS Pathways (CMPS) saw significant gains, indicating a positive market reaction to potential policy changes.
- Funding for Research: The White House's draft order aims to release federal funding for research into ibogaine's effectiveness for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, particularly among veterans, which could create new business opportunities for related companies.
- Current Drug Legality: Despite the push for research, ibogaine will remain classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it will not be reclassified for medical use, potentially limiting its market potential.
- Demand for Overseas Treatment: With ibogaine illegal in the U.S., many Americans are seeking treatment at unregulated clinics in Mexico, highlighting a pressing need for legalization and regulation that may prompt policymakers to reconsider existing laws.
See More
Compass Pathways Launches Training Grant Program for COMP360
- Grant Program Launch: Compass Pathways has announced a grant program inviting U.S.-based organizations to apply for funding to develop training content for healthcare providers, aimed at preparing them for the anticipated launch of COMP360 psilocybin treatment, ensuring effective patient care.
- Training Content Development: The program will support the creation of high-quality training materials, including a specific module for COMP360, with up to three organizations expected to receive grants, thereby enhancing healthcare providers' expertise in mental health and ensuring consistent patient experiences.
- Application Timeline: Grant applications will be open from April 14 to May 14, 2026, with applicants required to demonstrate experience in psychedelic training design and delivery, ensuring that training content meets regulatory standards and enhances overall care quality.
- Strategic Implications: This initiative not only prepares for the commercial launch of COMP360 but also reflects Compass Pathways' commitment to elevating mental health treatment standards, aiming to collaborate with experienced training organizations to ensure healthcare teams can deliver psilocybin treatment at scale once approved.
See More
Compass Pathways to Attend Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference
- Conference Participation: Compass Pathways plc will attend the Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference on April 14, 2026, participating in a fireside chat at 12:45 PM ET, showcasing its innovations in mental health.
- Live Webcast: The event will be accessible via a live audio webcast on the 'Events' page of the Compass website, enhancing transparency and allowing investors to stay updated on the company's developments.
- Treatment Innovation: Compass is pioneering a new paradigm in mental health treatment with its investigational COMP360 synthetic psilocybin therapy, which has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA, indicating its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression.
- Global Vision: Headquartered in London with an office in New York, the company aims to empower individuals with serious mental health conditions who are not helped by existing treatments, striving to improve global mental health outcomes.
See More
Compass Pathways Grants Equity Awards to New Employees
- Equity Award Program: On April 1, 2026, Compass Pathways plc granted equity awards to seven newly hired non-executive employees, totaling 117,445 stock options and 55,875 restricted share units, aimed at attracting and retaining key talent, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the biotechnology sector.
- Option Exercise Price: The granted options have an exercise price of $5.62 per share, equal to the closing price of the company's American Depositary Shares on the grant date, which aligns employee interests with those of shareholders and promotes long-term value creation.
- Vesting Schedule: These options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments, a structure that not only incentivizes long-term employee retention but also enhances team stability and execution capability.
- Compliance Review: In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), the equity awards were approved by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Board, ensuring compliance and transparency in talent acquisition, which further boosts investor confidence.
See More
COMPASS Pathways Reports Earnings and Financing Details
- Earnings Miss: COMPASS Pathways reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of -$1.00, missing expectations by $0.59, indicating challenges in profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Cash Position: As of December 31, 2025, the company's cash and cash equivalents stood at $149.6 million, down from $165.1 million in 2024, reflecting pressure on cash management that could limit future investment capabilities.
- Debt Increase: COMPASS's debt as of December 31, 2025, was $31.6 million, up from $30.2 million in 2024, indicating challenges in debt management that may impact financial flexibility.
- Financing Initiatives: COMPASS Pathways raised $200 million through warrant exercises and plans to price a $150 million ADS offering, demonstrating proactive measures in capital raising to support future operational and capital expenditure needs.
See More
