Compass Therapeutics Announces Key Leadership Appointments

Rhea-AI Summary

Compass Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CMPX) announced the appointments of Arjun Prasad, MBA, MPH as Chief Commercial Officer and Cynthia Sirard, MD as Chief Medical Officer, effective January 1, 2026.

Mr. Prasad joins from Servier Pharmaceuticals and has led >10 oncology launches including the 2024 launch of VORANIGO and commercialization of TIBSOVO for biliary tract cancer. Dr. Sirard joins from Leap Therapeutics with prior leadership at Sanofi and Genzyme, and has guided programs through IND filings, clinical development, pivotal trials, and regulatory approval. Management says these hires strengthen Compass’s ability to advance tovecimig and its oncology pipeline.

Positive

• Appointments effective January 1, 2026
• Commercial expertise: Prasad led >10 oncology launches
• Recent blockbuster launch: Prasad involved in VORANIGO (2024)
• Clinical leadership: Sirard guided programs through INDs and pivotal trials
• Therapy focus: Both bring BTC (biliary tract cancer) experience relevant to tovecimig

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

-3.48%

6 alerts

-3.48% News Effect

-11.7% Trough in 2 hr 19 min

-$33M Valuation Impact

$920M Market Cap

0.2x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, CMPX declined 3.48%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -11.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $33M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $920M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Reality Check

Price: $5.70 Vol: Volume 1,437,672 vs 20-da...

normal vol

$5.70 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,437,672 vs 20-day average 1,753,367, indicating slightly lighter trading ahead of this news. normal

Technical Shares at $5.17, trading above the 200-day MA of $3.25 and 11.77% below the 52-week high of $5.86.

Peers on Argus

Biotech peers were mixed: XNCR (-2.55%), BCAX (-3.48%), ORKA (-6.73%), TYRA (+1....

1 Up

Biotech peers were mixed: XNCR (-2.55%), BCAX (-3.48%), ORKA (-6.73%), TYRA (+1.94%), VSTM (-6.59%). Momentum scanner flagged VSTM with an intraday move of +11.48%, but there is no broad, uniform sector move mirroring CMPX’s pre-news pullback.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 17 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 17	Conference participation	Neutral	-5.3%	Announcement of J.P. Morgan 2026 presentation and investor meetings.
Nov 25	Investor events	Neutral	+1.2%	Participation in December healthcare investor conferences and webcasts.
Nov 05	Earnings and update	Positive	+0.8%	Q3 2025 results with strong cash runway and positive pipeline updates.
Nov 04	Clinical data update	Positive	+1.3%	Preclinical CTX-10726 data showing strong anti-tumor activity and IND timing.
Nov 03	Investor conferences	Neutral	+0.0%	Planned participation in multiple November healthcare conferences.

Pattern Detected

CMPX has generally reacted positively or neutrally to clinical and earnings updates, with occasional negative reactions to neutral conference-related announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Compass reported Q3 2025 results with $220 million in cash and runway into 2028, alongside positive clinical milestones for tovecimig and CTX-8371. It also highlighted preclinical progress for CTX-10726 and maintained an active investor-relations schedule through multiple conferences. Against this backdrop of advancing oncology programs and strengthened finances, today’s leadership appointments in commercial and medical roles align with a company preparing for potential future commercialization steps.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Compass strengthening its leadership bench with experienced commercial ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Compass strengthening its leadership bench with experienced commercial and medical executives as it advances oncology assets such as tovecimig. Recent history included Q3 2025 results with $220 million in cash and expected runway into 2028, alongside positive clinical and preclinical updates. Investors may focus on how the new team steers upcoming milestones, including pivotal development, regulatory interactions, and potential commercialization strategies across biliary tract and other cancers.

Key Terms

biliary tract cancer, btc, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, +4 more

8 terms

biliary tract cancer medical

"including a launch of a therapeutic indicated for the treatment of patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC)"

Biliary tract cancer is a group of cancers that start in the bile ducts or gallbladder, the small channels and organ that carry and store the digestive fluid bile; think of it as a clogging, growing problem in a body's plumbing for digestion. For investors, it matters because diagnosis, treatment advances, or clinical trial results can rapidly affect the commercial outlook for drugs, medical devices, and related healthcare companies tied to testing, therapy sales, or reimbursement.

btc medical

"patients with BTC, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other indications."

BTC is the common ticker and shorthand for Bitcoin, a digital currency that exists on a decentralized computer network instead of being issued by a government or bank. Investors care about BTC because its market price signals demand for that asset, can swing sharply like a volatile commodity, and can influence portfolio risk, market sentiment, and companies with exposure to cryptocurrencies—similar to how oil prices affect energy markets.

colorectal cancer medical

"for patients with BTC, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other indications."

A type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, the final sections of the digestive tract, where abnormal cells grow into tumors that can spread to other parts of the body. Investors care because diagnosis rates, treatment advances, regulatory approvals, screening technologies, and long-term care costs directly affect pharmaceutical, medical-device, diagnostics and health-insurer revenues; think of it as a major market driver in healthcare similar to how a recurring product category shapes a tech company’s sales.

gastric cancer medical

"for patients with BTC, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other indications."

Gastric cancer is a disease in which cells in the stomach lining grow out of control, forming tumors that can interfere with digestion and spread to other organs; think of it as aggressive weeds overtaking a garden bed. It matters to investors because diagnosis, treatment approvals, and clinical trial results can drive revenue or write-offs for drugmakers, diagnostic companies, and healthcare providers, and they influence market size, regulatory risk, and future cash flows.

immuno-oncology medical

"is a global leader in advancing innovative immuno-oncology therapies."

Immuno-oncology is a field of medicine focused on using the body's immune system to fight cancer. It involves developing treatments that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. For investors, advancements in immuno-oncology can signal promising new therapies that may lead to improved patient outcomes and potentially significant commercial opportunities.

ind filings regulatory

"has guided multiple programs through IND filings, clinical development, pivotal trials"

IND filings are regulatory applications submitted to authorize human testing of a new drug or biologic, outlining laboratory results, manufacturing details and proposed clinical trial plans. For investors, an accepted IND is like a green light to move from lab work to testing in people, reducing regulatory uncertainty and often triggering stock-moving milestones and funding needs; a delayed or rejected IND can halt development and hurt valuation.

biomarker-driven medical

"Her expertise spans biomarker-driven strategies, global regulatory planning"

An approach where medical decisions—like choosing patients for a treatment or designing a clinical trial—are guided by measurable biological signs (such as a gene change, protein level, or imaging result). For investors, biomarker-driven programs can raise the odds of clinical success, shrink development costs and speed regulatory review by targeting therapies to the people most likely to benefit, much like using a map to find the best route instead of driving aimlessly.

regulatory approval regulatory

"programs through IND filings, clinical development, pivotal trials, and regulatory approval."

Regulatory approval is the official permission given by government agencies or authorities that allows a product, service, or business activity to be legally operated or sold. It is important to investors because receiving approval often indicates that a product has been reviewed for safety and compliance, which can influence its success and the company’s prospects in the market. Without this approval, launching or selling certain products may be restricted or prohibited.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

BOSTON, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX), a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases, today announced the appointments of Arjun Prasad, MBA, MPH as Chief Commercial Officer and Cynthia Sirard, MD as Chief Medical Officer, both effective as of January 1, 2026.

“We are thrilled to welcome Arjun and Cyndi to the Compass team. They are highly accomplished leaders with decades of commercial and clinical development experience,” said Thomas Schuetz, MD, PhD, CEO of Compass and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Arjun’s world-class expertise in oncology product launches and commercial strategy, specifically including a launch of a therapeutic indicated for the treatment of patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC), will be so valuable as we advance tovecimig and our broader development portfolio. Cyndi brings proven scientific and clinical leadership, honed over more than two decades in oncology drug development for patients with BTC, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other indications. Together, their experiences significantly enhance our ability to deliver innovative therapies to patients.”

Most recently, Mr. Prasad was Chief Commercial Officer at Servier Pharmaceuticals, where he was responsible for all Commercial functions including Sales, Marketing, and Market Access across the company’s portfolio. Previously, he led Global Oncology Marketing as well as Commercial Operations & Analytics at Agios Pharmaceuticals and also held positions of increasing seniority within the commercial organization of Genentech. Mr. Prasad has experience with over 10 successful oncology launches, including the recent blockbuster launch of VORANIGO® in 2024. Mr. Prasad also commercialized TIBSOVO® for patients with BTC whose tumors have an actionable IDH1 mutation in the 2^nd line setting. Mr. Prasad received his BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPH, MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

“I am honored to join Compass at such an exciting juncture,” said Mr. Prasad. “I look forward to working with the team to advance a much-needed therapy, initially to patients with biliary tract cancer, but with much broader potential in a range of other oncology indications.”

Dr. Sirard joins Compass from Leap Therapeutics, where she served as the Chief Medical Officer and spearheaded the development of first-in-class oncology agents, and she also has clinical development leadership experience at Sanofi and Genzyme. She is a gastrointestinal focused medical oncologist, trained at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and is a global leader in advancing innovative immuno-oncology therapies. Dr. Sirard has guided multiple programs through IND filings, clinical development, pivotal trials, and regulatory approval. Her expertise spans biomarker-driven strategies, global regulatory planning, and strategic partnerships with leading biopharma companies.

“Compass is approaching transformational milestones for tovecimig and its pipeline candidates, and it’s very exciting to join at this inflection point,” said Dr. Sirard. “Together, we will continue to advance the robust, science-driven pipeline to bring much needed innovation and therapeutic alternatives to patients facing life-threatening cancers.”

About Compass Therapeutics

Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases. Compass’s scientific focus is on the relationship between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor growth. The company pipeline of novel product candidates is designed to target multiple critical biological pathways required for an effective anti-tumor response. These include modulation of the microvasculature via angiogenesis-targeted agents, induction of a potent immune response via activators on effector cells in the tumor microenvironment, and alleviation of immunosuppressive mechanisms used by tumors to evade immune surveillance. Compass plans to advance its product candidates through clinical development as both standalone therapies and in combination with proprietary pipeline antibodies based on supportive clinical and nonclinical data. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit the Compass Therapeutics website at https://www.compasstherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, references to Compass’s financial position to continue advancing its product candidates, expectations about cash runway, business and development plans, and statements regarding Compass’s product candidates, including their development and clinical trial milestones such as the expected trial design, timing of enrollment, patient dosing and data readouts, regulatory plans with respect to Compass’s product candidates and the therapeutic potential thereof. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, Compass’s ability to raise the additional funding it will need to continue to pursue its business and product development plans, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing product candidates and operating as a development stage company, Compass’s ability to identify additional product candidates for development, Compass’s ability to develop, complete clinical trials for, obtain approvals for and commercialize any of its product candidates, competition in the industry in which Compass operates and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Compass assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents Compass files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation Compass’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the SEC.

Investor Contact
ir@compasstherapeutics.com

Media Contact
Anna Gifford, Senior Manager of Communications
media@compasstherapeutics.com
617-500-8099

FAQ

Who are the new C-suite appointments at Compass Therapeutics (CMPX) and when did they start?

Arjun Prasad was named Chief Commercial Officer and Cynthia Sirard was named Chief Medical Officer, both effective January 1, 2026.

What commercial experience does Arjun Prasad bring to Compass Therapeutics (CMPX)?

Mr. Prasad joins from Servier, has led over 10 oncology launches, and was involved in the 2024 launch of VORANIGO and commercialization of TIBSOVO for BTC.

What clinical development experience does Cynthia Sirard bring to Compass Therapeutics (CMPX)?

Dr. Sirard joins from Leap Therapeutics, has prior roles at Sanofi and Genzyme, and has guided programs through IND filings, clinical development, pivotal trials, and regulatory approval.

How do these hires affect Compass Therapeutics’ (CMPX) tovecimig program?

Company management says the hires strengthen commercial and clinical capabilities as Compass advances tovecimig and its broader oncology portfolio.

Do the announcements include financial guidance or changes to Compass Therapeutics’ (CMPX) outlook?

No financial guidance, revenue figures, or changes to corporate outlook were provided in the announcement.