Compass Therapeutics Reports 2025 First Quarter Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Compass Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CMPX) reported significant progress in Q1 2025, highlighted by tovecimig meeting its primary endpoint in the Phase 2/3 COMPANION-002 study for biliary tract cancer (BTC). The drug achieved a 17.1% overall response rate compared to 5.3% for paclitaxel alone. The company also advanced other pipeline candidates, including CTX-10726 (PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody) and CTX-8371.

Financial results showed a net loss of $16.6 million ($0.12 per share) compared to $10.8 million in Q1 2024. R&D expenses increased 37% to $13.1 million, while G&A expenses rose 51% to $4.9 million. The company maintains a strong financial position with $113 million in cash, providing runway into 2027.

Positive

• Tovecimig achieved 17.1% overall response rate in BTC treatment, significantly higher than 5.3% for paclitaxel alone
• Strong cash position of $113M providing runway into 2027
• Lower progressive disease rates with tovecimig (16.2%) vs paclitaxel alone (42.1%)
• Successful advancement of multiple pipeline candidates with no dose-limiting toxicities

Negative

• Increased net loss to $16.6M in Q1 2025 from $10.8M in Q1 2024
• R&D expenses increased 37% year-over-year
• G&A expenses rose 51% compared to previous year
• Cash position decreased from $127M to $113M during Q1

Insights

Biotechnology Analyst

Tovecimig achieved statistically significant response rates in biliary tract cancer with solid cash runway, though secondary survival data remains pending.

Compass Therapeutics has achieved a significant clinical milestone with their lead drug tovecimig, a DLL4 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody. The drug met its primary endpoint in the Phase 2/3 COMPANION-002 study for biliary tract cancer (BTC), demonstrating a 17.1% overall response rate (ORR) compared to just 5.3% for paclitaxel alone (p=0.031). This includes one complete response in the tovecimig arm.

What makes this particularly meaningful is the dramatic difference in progressive disease rates: 16.2% for tovecimig plus paclitaxel versus 42.1% for paclitaxel alone. For context, BTC is notoriously difficult to treat, especially in second-line settings where options are limited and outcomes typically poor.

While the primary endpoint success is encouraging, the full picture remains incomplete. Secondary endpoints including progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and duration of response (DoR) haven't yet been analyzed as fewer events occurred than originally modeled. These results, expected in Q4 2025, will be crucial for determining tovecimig's true clinical value and potential regulatory pathway.

Beyond tovecimig, Compass is advancing several other candidates:

• CTX-10726 (PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific) has completed pre-IND meetings with FDA filing expected in Q4
• CTX-8371 (PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific) has advanced to its fourth dosing cohort with no dose-limiting toxicities
• CTX-471 (CD137 agonist) is moving toward Phase 2 trials in NCAM-expressing tumors

Financially, Compass ended Q1 with $113 million in cash, providing runway into 2027. However, expenses are rising with R&D increasing 37% to $13.1 million and G&A up 51% to $4.9 million year-over-year. The quarterly net loss widened to $16.6 million ($0.12 per share) from $10.8 million ($0.08 per share) in Q1 2024.

The pipeline strategy is evolving, with plans to replace a colorectal cancer study with a broader basket trial across multiple DLL4+ cancers following analysis of the COMPANION-002 secondary endpoints.

• Tovecimig (DLL4 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody) met the primary endpoint in the ongoing randomized Phase 2/3 Study in patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC).
  • Achieved a 17.1% overall response rate (ORR), including one complete response, compared to a 5.3% ORR for paclitaxel alone, in patients with BTC treated in the second-line setting.
• First patient dosed and actively enrolling patients in an Investigator Sponsored Trial (IST) evaluating tovecimig in patients with BTC in the first-line setting.
• Successfully completed a pre-IND meeting for CTX-10726 (PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody), maintaining progress towards expected Q4 2025 IND filing and 2026 clinical data.
• Advanced the Phase 1 dose-escalation study of CTX-8371 in a post-checkpoint inhibitor patient population to the fourth dosing cohort with no dose-limiting toxicities observed to date; data from this study are expected in the second half of 2025.
• Ended Q1 with $113 million in cash and marketable securities, which is expected to provide cash runway into the first quarter of 2027.

BOSTON, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX), a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics, today reported first quarter 2025 financial results and provided a business update.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made this quarter, especially the achievement of the primary endpoint in our COMPANION-002 trial. These positive data reinforce the potential for tovecimig to fill a striking gap in the treatment paradigm for patients with BTC. We expect to share analyses of the secondary endpoints, including progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and duration of response (DoR), in the fourth quarter of this year,” said Thomas Schuetz, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. “In parallel, the first patient has been dosed in the IST at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center evaluating tovecimig in the front-line setting for patients with BTC, and the study continues to actively enroll.”

“We continue to advance CTX-10726, our differentiated PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody, with IND filing expected in Q4. There has been very promising clinical data from other drugs in this class, and we look forward to beginning Phase 1 studies and reporting clinical data for CTX-10726 in 2026.”

“CTX-8371, our PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific has also progressed to the fourth dosing cohort in patients in whom checkpoint inhibitors have failed, and we look forward to sharing data from the study later this year.” Dr. Schuetz continued, “Finally, our balance sheet remains strong and we ended the quarter with $113 million, funding our cash runway into 2027.”

Development Pipeline Updates:

Tovecimig (DLL4 and VEGF-A bispecific antibody)

• Met the primary endpoint in the ongoing randomized Phase 2/3 COMPANION-002 Study in patients with BTC (see press release). The study enrolled 168 adult patients, randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive tovecimig plus paclitaxel (n=111) or paclitaxel alone (n=57). 
  • Tovecimig in combination with paclitaxel achieved a 17.1% ORR, including one complete response, compared to a 5.3% ORR for paclitaxel alone, in patients with BTC treated in the second-line setting.
  • At a prespecified analysis, conducted by blinded independent central radiology (BICR) review, tovecimig plus paclitaxel demonstrated a statistically significant (p=0.031) and clinically meaningful improvement in ORR (the primary endpoint) compared to paclitaxel alone.
  • The study also showed differences between treatment arms for other efficacy measures, including progressive disease (PD) rates of 16.2% in patients on tovecimig in combination with paclitaxel versus 42.1% in patients on paclitaxel alone.
  • The pre-specified number of events required to trigger the analyses of the secondary endpoints, including PFS, OS and DoR, has not yet been met due to fewer of these events occurring than were originally modeled. The Company expects to report the results of the analyses of these endpoints in Q4 of this year.
• The first patient has been dosed in an IST at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the study is actively enrolling. In the IST, tovecimig is being added to the standard first-line regimen of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and durvalumab (see press release).
• The previously planned Phase 2 colorectal cancer study will be replaced by a Phase 2 basket study of tovecimig, which is expected to begin following the analyses of the secondary endpoint data from the COMPANION-002 BTC trial. The basket study will include a broader set of DLL4+ cancers, such as gastric, ovarian, renal, hepatocellular, and colorectal.
  
  

CTX-10726 (PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody)

• CTX-10726 is a tetravalent PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody discovered and engineered at Compass. CTX-10726 is designed to synergistically deliver VEGF-A blockade and checkpoint inhibition, potentially applicable to multiple solid tumor indications. The bispecific antibody demonstrates a highly stable structure with high affinity target binding. CTX-10726 has exhibited more potent PD-1 blockade in preclinical studies, compared with data reported for other drugs in the class.
• Advanced preclinical development and IND-enabling studies for CTX-10726.
• Successfully completed a pre-IND Meeting with the FDA, with expected IND submission in Q4 2025.
  

CTX-471 (CD137 agonist antibody)

• CTX-471 is a CD137 agonist antibody, which has been shown to bind to a unique epitope of the co-stimulatory molecule 4-1BB with an optimized affinity.
• In 2024, CTX-471 clinical data were presented at multiple scientific meetings, including data demonstrating durable clinical responses in Phase 1 presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and data showing a correlation between levels of NCAM (CD56) expression and disease control presented at the 39th Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer 2024 Annual Meeting.
• Phase 2 trial initiation of CTX-471 in patients with tumors expressing NCAM (CD56) is expected in the second half of 2025.
  

CTX-8371 (PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody)

• CTX-8371 is a next generation bispecific checkpoint inhibitor that simultaneously targets PD-1 and PD-L1 and has been shown to exhibit a unique mechanism-of-action that involves cleavage of cell surface PD-1.
• No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) have been observed in the first three dosing cohorts in the Phase 1 dose-escalation study of CTX-8371.
• Currently evaluating the fourth dosing cohort with preliminary data expected in the second half of 2025.
  

Financial Results

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $16.6 million or $0.12 per share of common stock, compared to $10.8 million or $0.08 per share of common stock for the same period in 2024.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses were $13.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2024, an increase of $3.6 million, or 37%. This increase was primarily attributable to additional spending on manufacturing for tovecimig and CTX-10726 of $2.5 million and $0.9 million on additional personnel costs for R&D personnel.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses were $4.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2024, an increase of $1.7 million or 51%. The increase was primarily attributable to $1.3 million of additional G&A personnel costs including $1.0 million related to share-based compensation.

Cash Position 
As of March 31, 2025, cash and marketable securities were $113 million as compared to $127 million as of December 31, 2024, providing the Company with an anticipated cash runway into 2027. During the first three months of 2025, $13 million of net cash was used in operating activities.

About Compass Therapeutics
Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics. Compass’s scientific focus is on the relationship between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor growth. The company’s 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 preclinical and clinical 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, initiate and 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, Chief of Staff
media@compasstherapeutics.com
617-500-8099

Compass Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2025				2024
		(unaudited)
Operating expenses:
Research and development		$	13,054			$	9,522
General and administrative			4,912				3,248
Loss from operations			(17,966	)			(12,770	)
Other income			1,333				1,983
Net loss		$	(16,633	)		$	(10,787	)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted		$	(0.12	)		$	(0.08	)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding			138,236				136,608

Compass Therapeutics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except par value)
		March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024
		(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	41,048		$	43,483
Marketable securities			71,587			83,239
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			11,510			6,029
Total current assets			124,145			132,751
Property and equipment, net			231			353
Operating lease, right-of-use ("ROU") asset			6,507			6,731
Other assets			568			568
Total assets		$	131,451		$	140,403
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	1,577		$	2,249
Accrued expenses			13,214			6,287
Operating lease obligations, current portion			109			338
Total current liabilities			14,900			8,874
Operating lease obligations, long-term portion			6,272			6,296
Total liabilities			21,172			15,170
Total stockholders' equity			110,279			125,233
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	131,451		$	140,403

FAQ

What were the key results of CMPX's tovecimig Phase 2/3 trial in biliary tract cancer?

Tovecimig achieved a 17.1% overall response rate including one complete response, compared to 5.3% for paclitaxel alone, with statistical significance (p=0.031). Progressive disease rates were 16.2% for tovecimig plus paclitaxel versus 42.1% for paclitaxel alone.

What is Compass Therapeutics' (CMPX) cash runway as of Q1 2025?

Compass Therapeutics reported $113 million in cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2025, providing an expected cash runway into the first quarter of 2027.

How did CMPX's financial performance change in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024?

Net loss increased to $16.6 million ($0.12 per share) from $10.8 million ($0.08 per share) in Q1 2024. R&D expenses rose 37% to $13.1 million, and G&A expenses increased 51% to $4.9 million.

What are the next major catalysts for Compass Therapeutics (CMPX)?

Key upcoming catalysts include secondary endpoint analyses for tovecimig in Q4 2025, CTX-10726 IND filing in Q4 2025, CTX-8371 preliminary data in H2 2025, and CTX-471 Phase 2 trial initiation in H2 2025.

What is CMPX's development pipeline status as of Q1 2025?

The company is advancing multiple candidates: tovecimig met its primary endpoint in Phase 2/3 BTC trial, CTX-10726 is approaching IND filing, CTX-8371 is in Phase 1 dose-escalation, and CTX-471 is preparing for Phase 2 trials.