[424B5] Compass Therapeutics, Inc. Prospectus Supplement (Debt Securities)

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX) has filed a preliminary prospectus supplement offering shares of common stock and, in lieu of shares for some investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock. The company’s common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CMPX, with the last reported sale price of $3.34 on August 11, 2025. The pre-funded warrants are not listed and are exercisable at $0.0001 per share; their public purchase price equals the public offering price less $0.0001.

Compass is a clinical-stage oncology company with lead candidates including tovecimig (CTX-009) (DLL4/VEGF-A bispecific), CTX-471 (CD-137 agonist), CTX-8371 (PD-1/PD-L1 bispecific) and CTX-10726 in IND-enabling studies. As of June 30, 2025, the company reported $100.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and states that combined with the proceeds of this offering it expects those resources will be sufficient to fund operations into 2028.

The prospectus highlights investor risks including significant market volatility, potential dilution (historical net tangible book value was $93 million, or $0.67 per share as of June 30, 2025), the lack of a trading market for the pre-funded warrants, exercise ownership limits (generally 4.99% or 9.99%, adjustable up to 19.99% with notice) and that Compass is an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company.

Positive

• $100.9 million in cash and cash equivalents reported as of June 30, 2025
• Company expects cash plus proceeds2028
• Pipeline with multiple clinical candidates
• Common stock listed on NasdaqCMPX, providing an established trading venue for equity
• Pre-funded warrants$0.0001, allowing holders to convert to shares at minimal cash cost

Negative

• Pre-funded warrants are not listed
• Exercise ownership limitations4.99% or 9.99%, adjustable up to 19.99% with 61 days’ notice) may prevent timely exercise for holders
• Immediate dilution risk$93 million (or $0.67 per share) and the offering will dilute existing and new investors
• Market volatility and biotech-specific risks explicitly noted; share price may fluctuate substantially for many reasons
• No dividends expected

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: A routine equity financing that extends reported runway but increases dilution and liquidity risk for new investors.

Compass’s filing is a standard capital-raising transaction for a clinical-stage biotech. The company reports $100.9 million cash and expects combined proceeds to fund operations into 2028, which materially affects near-term solvency assumptions. However, the offering will dilute existing and new shareholders; the prospectus explicitly shows historical net tangible book value of $93 million (or $0.67 per share). The pre-funded warrants are unlisted, carry a nominal exercise price ($0.0001), and include ownership-based exercise limits that may constrain holders and reduce liquidity. Market volatility disclosures and emerging-growth status keep reporting and comparability limitations in view.

Biotech R&D Specialist

TL;DR: Pipeline diversity (angiogenesis and IO bispecifics) supports clinical upside, but no clinical outcomes are disclosed in this filing.

Compass’s lead and supporting candidates—tovecimig (CTL-009), CTX-471, CTX-8371, and CTX-10726 (IND-enabling)—represent a coherent strategy targeting tumor vasculature and immune activation. The filing summarizes these programs but contains no trial results or timelines here, limiting technical assessment to platform and target selection. For R&D valuation this offering is material because it funds continued clinical development; absent detailed data in the supplement, scientific and regulatory risk remain the primary drivers of long-term value.

08/12/2025 - 04:19 PM

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-281891

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and they are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 12, 2025

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated September 6, 2024)

   Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase     Shares of Common Stock

We are offering      shares of our common stock and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors that so choose, pre-funded warrants to purchase      shares of common stock in this offering.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CMPX.” On August 11, 2025, the last reported sale price for our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $3.34 per share. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other national securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of our common stock sold in this offering equals the price at which a share of common stock is sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of our common stock will equal $0.0001 per share. This prospectus supplement also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such pre-funded warrants.

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under the federal securities laws and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus supplement and for future filings. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company.”

Per share of Common Stock

Per Pre-Funded Warrant

Total

Public offering price

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

$

$

$

Proceeds to Compass Therapeutics, Inc., before expenses

$

$

$

(1) See “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional     of shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

Investing in our common stock and pre-funded warrants involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement, as well as those risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on or about     , 2025. The pre-funded warrants are expected to be delivered on or about     , 2025.

Joint Active Bookrunners

Jefferies Piper Sandler Guggenheim Securities

Prospectus Supplement dated      , 2025

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
About this prospectus supplement			S-1
Special note regarding forward-looking statements			S-2
Prospectus supplement summary			S-4
The offering			S-6
Risk factors			S-8
Use of proceeds			S-13
Dilution			S-14
Dividend policy			S-16
Description of pre-funded warrants			S-17
Underwriting			S-25
Legal matters			S-35
Experts			S-35
Where you can find more information			S-35
Incorporation of certain information by reference			S-35

Prospectus

		Page
About this Prospectus			1
Risk Factors			2
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Summary			5
Use of Proceeds			7
Securities We May Offer			8
Description of Capital Stock			9
Description of Debt Securities			14
Description of Warrants			21
Description of Units			22
Plan of Distribution			25
Legal Matters			28
Experts			28
Where You Can Find More Information			28
Incorporation by Reference			28

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus dated September 6, 2024, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the respective dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of our securities. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the common stock and pre-funded warrants in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the common stock and pre-funded warrants and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States.

Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by referenced herein or therein to “Compass Therapeutics,” “Compass,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” and similar designations refer to Compass Therapeutics, Inc. and, where appropriate, our consolidated subsidiary.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

• the ability of our clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of our product candidates, and other positive results;

• the timing and focus of our future clinical trials, and the reporting of data from those trials;

• our plans relating to commercializing our product candidates, if approved, including the geographic areas of focus and sales strategy;

• the expected potential benefits of strategic collaborations with third parties and our ability to attract collaborators with development;

• regulatory and commercialization expertise;

• our estimates of the number of patients who suffer from the diseases we are targeting and the number of patients that will enroll in our clinical trials;

• the size of the market opportunity for our product candidates in each of the diseases we are targeting;

• our ability to expand our product candidates into additional indications and patient populations;

• the success of competing therapies that are or may become available;

• the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy, and therapeutic effects of our product candidates;

• the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, including our expectation to seek special designations, such as orphan drug or breakthrough therapy designation, for our product candidates for various diseases;

• our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates;

• our plans relating to the further development and manufacturing of our product candidates, including additional indications that we may pursue;

• existing regulations and regulatory developments in the United States and other jurisdictions;

• our continued reliance on third parties to conduct additional clinical trials of our product candidates, and for the manufacture of our product candidates for preclinical studies and clinical trials;

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• our plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, including extensions of existing patent terms where available and the outcome of our ongoing arbitration proceedings;

• the need to hire additional personnel and our ability to attract and retain such personnel;

• the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing;

• our financial performance;

• the sufficiency of our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to fund our future operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements;

• our expectations related to the use of proceeds from this offering; and

• other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, particularly in our “critical accounting estimates” described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, and in the “Risk factors” section of this prospectus supplement, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, collaborations or investments that we may make.

You should read this prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus supplement and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, and any free writing prospectus that we may have authorized for use in connection with this offering, contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business and the markets for our product candidates, including data regarding the estimated size of such markets and the incidence of certain medical conditions. We obtained the industry, market and similar data set forth in this prospectus supplement from our internal estimates and research and from academic and industry research, publications, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, including governmental agencies. In some cases, we do not expressly refer to the sources from which this data is derived. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances that are assumed in this information. You are cautioned not to give undue weight to any such information, projections and estimates.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock or pre-funded warrants. You should read this prospectus supplement carefully, especially the risks of investing in our common stock or pre-funded warrants discussed under “Risk factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, along with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

Company Overview

We are a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases. Our scientific focus is on the relationship between angiogenesis and the immune system. Our pipeline includes novel product candidates that leverage our understanding of the tumor microenvironment, including both angiogenesis-targeted agents and immune-oncology focused agents. These product candidates are designed to optimize critical biological pathways required for an effective anti-tumor response to cancer. These pathways 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. We plan to advance our product candidates through clinical development as both standalone therapies and in combination with our proprietary drug candidates as long as their continued development is supported by clinical and nonclinical data.

Our pipeline comprises three clinical product candidates and one candidate in investigational new drug application (IND) enabling studies. Our lead product candidate, tovecimig (formerly known as CTX-009), is a bispecific antibody targeting Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4), a ligand of Notch-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Simultaneous blockade of the VEGF-A and the Notch pathways is known to turn productive angiogenesis into non-productive angiogenesis, which leads to tumor shrinkage and apoptosis. CTX-471, is an agonistic antibody targeting a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 (TNFRSF9), also known as CD-137, a co-stimulatory receptor which is mostly expressed on activated, but not on resting, T-cells and NK cells. CTX-8371, is a bispecific antibody targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor and its ligand PD-L1, two validated immune-oncology targets. In addition, we are in the process of IND enabling studies with CTX-10726, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEFG-A.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 20, 2018. On June 17, 2020, a wholly owned subsidiary of ours merged with and into Compass Therapeutics, a private limited liability company formed in 2014. Following the Merger, Compass Therapeutics was the surviving entity and became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and all of the outstanding common and preferred membership interests of Compass Therapeutics were converted into shares of our common stock. On June 17, 2020, we changed our name to Compass Therapeutics, Inc. As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business of Compass Therapeutics and we will continue the existing business operations of Compass Therapeutics as a public reporting company under the name Compass Therapeutics, Inc.

Our principal executive offices are located at 80 Guest Street, Suite 601, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, and our telephone number is (617) 500-8099.

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Our website is www.compasstherapeutics.com. Our Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to such reports are filed with the SEC. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file or furnish reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Such reports and other information filed by us with the SEC will be available free of charge on our website. The SEC maintains a website that contains proxy and other information that issuers file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

The contents of the websites referred to above are not incorporated into this filing. Further, our references to the URLs for these websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended. As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

• being permitted to only disclose two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure;

• reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

• not being required to hold advisory votes on executive compensation or to obtain stockholder approval of any golden parachute arrangements not previously approved; and

• an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

We may take advantage of these exemptions until the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company on the date that is the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) December 31, 2025; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these exemptions. We have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different from the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock. We are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements under the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions, as an emerging growth company, we may rely on certain of these exemptions, including without limitation, providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies until the fiscal year following the determination that our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is more than $250 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues are less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is more than $700 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.

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The Offering

Common stock offered by us      shares of our common stock.

Pre-funded warrants offered by us We are also offering, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase      shares of common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock will equal the price per share at which the shares of common stock are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock will be $0.0001 per share. The pre-funded warrants do not expire, and each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable at any time after the date of issuance, subject to an ownership limitation. See “Description of pre-funded warrants.” This prospectus supplement also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such pre-funded warrants.

Option to purchase additional shares The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to an additional     shares of our common stock from us. This option is exercisable, in whole or in part, for a period of 30 days following the date of this prospectus supplement.

Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering      shares (or     shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

Use of proceeds We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock from us is exercised in full), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to conduct initial preparations for commercial readiness, to fund research and clinical development of its product candidates, and for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.

Risk factors Your investment in our common stock or pre-funded warrants involves substantial risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock or pre-funded warrants.

Nasdaq Capital Market symbol “CMPX.”

The pre-funded warrants are not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other national securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

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The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering set forth above is based on 138,282,498 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025, and excludes:

• 18,544,104 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.02 per share;

• 0 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options issued subsequent to June 30, 2025;

• 1,909,114 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (2020 Plan), as of June 30, 2025, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan; and

• 2,942,969 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units subsequent to June 30, 2025.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the outstanding options described above after June 30, 2025, no exercise of the pre-funded warrants offered hereby and no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock or pre-funded warrants involves a high degree of risk. Before you decide to invest in our common stock or pre-funded warrants, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with all other information contained in this prospectus supplement and in our filings with the SEC that we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could result in you losing all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, operations and financial condition, or cause the value of our securities to decline.

Risks Related to this Offering

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile, and may be influenced by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

The market price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including market perception of our ability to meet our growth projections and expectations, quarterly operating results of other companies in the same industry, trading volume in our common stock, changes in general conditions in the economy and the financial markets or other developments affecting our business and the business of others in our industry. In addition, the stock market itself is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons related and unrelated to their operating performance and could have the same effect on our common stock. The market price of shares of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many risk factors listed in this section, and others beyond our control, including:

• results of clinical trials of our product candidates;

• the timing of the release of results of our clinical trials;

• results of clinical trials of our competitors’ products;

• safety issues with respect to our products or our competitors’ products;

• regulatory actions with respect to our products or our competitors’ products;

• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and operating results;

• publication of research reports by securities analysts about us or our competitors or our industry;

• our failure or the failure of our competitors to meet analysts’ projections or guidance that we or our competitors may give to the market;

• additions and departures of key personnel;

• strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy;

• the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments affecting us or our industry;

• fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us;

• sales of our common stock by us, our insiders or our other stockholders;

• speculation in the press or investment community;

• announcement or expectation of additional financing efforts;

• changes in accounting principles;

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• terrorist acts, acts of war or periods of widespread civil unrest;

• natural disasters and other calamities;

• changes in market conditions for biopharmaceutical stocks;

• changes in general market and economic conditions; and

• the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section and in our other filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025.

In addition, the volatility of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other life sciences company stocks often does not relate to the operating performance of the companies represented by the stock. As we operate in a single industry, we are especially vulnerable to these factors to the extent that they affect our industry or our products, or to a lesser extent our markets.

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may have to rely on stock appreciation for any return on your investment.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will, among other things, depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors and will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Accordingly, you may have to rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on your investment in our common stock.

If a significant portion of our total outstanding shares are sold into the market, the market price of our common stock could drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock.

We currently have on file with the SEC a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which allows us to offer and sell up to $300.0 million of a variety of securities, including common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units from time to time pursuant to one or more offerings at prices and terms to be determined at the time of sale. In August 2022, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement^SM, as amended in August 2024 (the Sale Agreement), with Jefferies LLC, as sales agent, pursuant to which, from time to time, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $55.0 million under an “at-the-market” offering program. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have common stock that we may issue and sell for gross proceeds of up to $55.0 million that remains available under our “at-the-market” offering program.

Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock or other securities by our stockholders, pursuant to the Sale Agreement, under our universal shelf registration statement or otherwise could also dilute our stockholders.

If you purchase shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants in this offering, you may suffer immediate and substantial dilution of your investment.

The price per share of our common stock in this offering will exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our common stock or pre-funded warrants in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our net tangible book value per share after this offering. To the extent shares are issued under outstanding options at exercise prices lower than the price of our common stock in this offering, you will incur further dilution. As a result,

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investors purchasing common stock or pre-funded warrants in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $     per share, representing the difference between the public offering price of $     per share and our as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $     as of June 30, 2025, after giving effect to this offering at the public offering price assuming the issuance of an aggregate of      shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants offered hereby. As a result of the dilution to investors purchasing common stock or pre-funded warrants in this offering, investors may receive significantly less than the purchase price paid in this offering, if anything, in the event of our liquidation. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section titled “Use of proceeds,” as well as our existing cash, and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding such application. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used effectively. Our management might not apply the net proceeds or our existing cash in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering or our existing cash in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected results, which could cause our stock price to decline. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term U.S. Treasury securities with insignificant rates of return. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

To raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants, or other securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

Future sales or issuances of our common stock or pre-funded warrants in the public markets, or the perception of such sales, could depress the trading price of our common stock.

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We may sell large quantities of our common stock or pre-funded warrants at any time pursuant to the accompanying prospectus or in one or more separate offerings. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of common stock, pre-funded warrants or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering.

There is no public trading market for the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other national securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

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We will not receive a significant amount or any additional funds upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

Each pre-funded warrant is exercisable for $0.0001 per share of common stock underlying such warrant, which may be paid by way of a cashless exercise, in which the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant. Accordingly, we will not receive a significant amount of additional funds (if any) upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

Holders of the pre-funded warrants will have no rights as stockholders until such holders exercise their pre-funded warrants and acquire our shares of common stock.

Until holders of the pre-funded warrants exercise their pre-funded warrants and acquire our shares of common stock, such holders will have no rights with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such pre-funded warrants, except that the holder of a pre-funded warrant shall be entitled to participate in certain distributions, including cash dividends, if any, to all holders of our common stock for no consideration, subject to certain ownership limitations. Upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of common stock only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date. See “Description of pre-funded warrants—No rights as a stockholder.”

Significant holders or beneficial holders of our common stock may not be permitted to exercise pre-funded warrants that they hold.

A holder of a pre-funded warrant will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any pre-funded warrant which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates and other attribution parties, as defined under “Description of pre-funded warrants—exercise limitations”) to exceed 4.99% (or, upon election by such holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock that would be outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your pre-funded warrants for shares of our common stock at a time when it would be financially beneficial for you to do so. In such circumstance you could seek to sell your pre-funded warrants to realize value, but you may be unable to do so in the absence of an established trading market for the pre-funded warrants.

Interim, “top-line,” and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available or as additional analyses are conducted, and as the data are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.

From time to time, we may publicly disclose preliminary or top-line data from our clinical trials, which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the top-line or preliminary results that we report may differ from future results of the same studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Top-line and preliminary data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the top-line or preliminary data we previously published. As a result, top-line and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available.

From time to time, we may also disclose interim data from our clinical trials. Interim data from these trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as subject enrollment continues and more data become available. Adverse differences between interim data and top-line, preliminary, or final data could significantly harm our business prospects. Further, disclosure of interim data by us or by our competitors could result in volatility in the price of our common shares.

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Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular product candidate or product and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure. If the interim, top-line, or preliminary data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants in this offering will be approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We will receive nominal proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

As of June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $100.9 million. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to conduct initial preparations for commercial readiness, to fund research, and clinical development of its product candidates and for general corporate purposes.

Based on the planned use of proceeds described above and our current operating plan, we estimate that our cash and cash equivalents, together with the proceeds of this offering, will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses into 2028. We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong. We could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect, and additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy.

The expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk factors” in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

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DILUTION

If you invest in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of common stock or the public offering price of the pre-funded warrants to purchase one share of common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after giving effect to this offering.

As of June 30, 2025, we had a historical net tangible book value of $93 million, or $0.67 per share of common stock, based on 138.3 million shares of common stock outstanding. Our historical net tangible book value per share represents total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding.

After giving effect to our sale of    shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $   per share, and pre-funded warrants to purchase     shares of common stock at the public offering price of $    per pre-funded warrant (which equals the public offering price of the common stock at which shares of our common stock are being sold to the public in this offering less the $0.0001 per share exercise price of each such pre-funded warrant) (excluding shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, any proceeds which may be received upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or any resulting accounting associated with the exercise of the pre-funded warrants), and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, estimated offering expenses, our as-adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2025 would have been $   million, or $   per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $    per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $    per share to purchasers of common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

Public offering price per share						$
Historical net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2025		$	0.67
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors in this offering
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering						$

If holders of pre-funded warrants exercise the pre-funded warrants offered hereby, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after giving effect to this offering would be $     per share, and the dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors purchasing common stock in this offering would be $      per share.

The information above assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to additional shares of common stock, the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would be $     per share, representing an increase in net tangible book value of per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $     per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering.

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering set forth above is based on 138,282,498 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025, and excludes:

• 18,544,104 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.02 per share;

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• 0 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options issued subsequent to June 30, 2025;

• 1,909,114 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our 2020 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (2020 Plan), as of June 30, 2025, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan; and

• 2,942,969 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units subsequent to June 30, 2025.

To the extent that outstanding options outstanding as of June 30, 2025, have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, investors purchasing our common stock or pre-funded warrants in this offering may experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends to our stockholders in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Investors should not purchase our common stock or pre-funded warrants with the expectation of receiving cash dividends.

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DESCRIPTION OF PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS

The following is a brief summary of certain terms and conditions of the pre-funded warrants being offered by this prospectus supplement. The following description is subject in all respects to the provisions contained in the pre-funded warrants.

Form

The pre-funded warrants will be issued as individual warrant agreements to the investors. The form of pre-funded warrant will be filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K that we expect to file with the SEC in connection with this offering.

Term

The pre-funded warrants do not expire.

Exercisability

The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full of the exercise price in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. As an alternative to payment in immediately available funds, the holder may elect to exercise the pre-funded warrant through a cashless exercise, in which the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of any fractional shares that would otherwise be issuable, we will pay in cash to an exercising holder the fair market value, determined according to the terms of the pre-funded warrant, for any such fractional shares.

Exercise Limitations

Under the pre-funded warrants, we may not effect the exercise of any pre-funded warrant, and a holder will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any pre-funded warrant, which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the holder (together with its attribution parties (as defined below)) to exceed 4.99% (or, upon election by such holder 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock that would be outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us. For purposes of the foregoing, “attribution parties” means, collectively, the following persons and entities with respect to any holder: (i) its direct and indirect affiliates, (ii) any person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Section 13(d) “group” together with the holder or any attribution parties and (iii) any other persons whose beneficial ownership of our common stock would or could be aggregated with the holder and/or any other attribution parties for purposes of Section 13(d) or Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

Exercise Price

The exercise price per whole share of our common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants is $0.0001 per share of common stock. The exercise price of the pre-funded warrants and the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.

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Charges, Taxes and Expenses

Issuance and delivery for shares of common stock upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant will be made without charge to the holder thereof for any issue or transfer tax, transfer agent fee or other incidental tax or expense (excluding any applicable stamp duties) in respect of the issuance thereof, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by us. However, we are not required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the registration of any warrant shares or pre-funded warrants in a name other than that of the holder or an affiliate thereof. The holder shall be responsible for all other tax liability that may arise as a result of holding or transferring its pre-funded warrants or receiving shares upon exercise thereof.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws, the pre-funded warrants may be assigned by the holder without our consent. The ownership of the pre-funded warrants and any transfers of the pre-funded warrants will be registered in a warrant register maintained by the warrant agent. We will initially act as warrant agent.

Exchange Listing

We do not plan on applying to list the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market, any other national securities exchange or any other nationally recognized trading system.

Fundamental Transactions

In the event of a “fundamental transaction” (as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including but not limited to any reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the tender and acceptance for payment of shares representing more than 50% of the voting power of our capital stock pursuant to any tender or exchange offer (whether by us or another person), the acquisition by another person of more than 50% of the voting power of our capital stock pursuant to a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (except for any such transaction in which our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction maintain, in substantially the same proportions, voting power of us immediately after the transaction)), upon consummation of such a fundamental transaction, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the pre-funded warrants.

No Rights as a Stockholder

Except by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holder of a pre-funded warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the pre-funded warrant. In the event of certain distributions, including cash dividends, if any, to all holders of our common stock for no consideration, the holder of a pre-funded warrant shall be entitled to participate in such distributions to the same extent as if such holder held the number of shares of our common stock acquirable upon exercise of its pre-funded warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise). If such distribution would result in such holder and the other attribution parties exceeding the exercise limitations described above, a portion of such distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such holder until the earlier of such time as the ownership limitations would not be exceeded or the warrant is exercised.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR INVESTORS IN OUR COMMON STOCK AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS

The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock and pre-funded warrants acquired in this offering. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes, does not discuss the potential application of the alternative minimum tax, Medicare contribution tax or net investment income tax and does not deal with state or local taxes, U.S. federal gift and estate tax laws or any non-U.S. tax consequences that may be relevant to investors in light of their particular circumstances.

Special rules different from those described below may apply to certain investors that are subject to special treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), such as:

• insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions;

• tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations) and tax-qualified retirement plans;

• foreign governments and international organizations;

• broker-dealers and traders in securities;

• real estate investment trusts;

• regulated investment companies;

• U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

• Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that own, or are deemed to own (directly, indirectly or by attribution) more than 5% of our common stock or more than 5% of our pre-funded warrants;

• persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals to their financial statements under Section 451(b) of the Code;

• “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

• persons that hold our common stock or pre-funded warrants as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or integrated investment or other risk reduction strategy;

• U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency for U.S. tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

• persons who do not hold our common stock or pre-funded warrants as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, for investment purposes); and

• partnerships and other pass-through entities, and investors in such pass-through entities (regardless of their places of organization or formation).

Such investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly retroactively, and are subject to differing interpretations which could result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions or will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences described herein, or that any such contrary position would not be sustained by a court.

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For the purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock or pre-funded warrants, other than a partnership or other pass-through entity, that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (b) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (c) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (d) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

If you are an individual non-U.S. citizen, you may, in some cases, be deemed to be a resident alien (as opposed to a nonresident alien) by virtue of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year. Generally, for this purpose, all the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year, are counted.

Resident aliens are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as if they were U.S. citizens. Individuals who are uncertain of their status as resident or nonresident aliens for U.S. federal income tax purposes are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants.

PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK OR PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS OFFERING SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION, INCLUDING ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OR ANY U.S. FEDERAL NON-INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES, AND THE POSSIBLE APPLICATION OF TAX TREATIES.

Characterization of the Pre-funded Warrants for Tax Purposes

Although the characterization of the pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not entirely clear, because the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants is a nominal amount, we intend to treat the pre-funded warrants as our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and a holder of pre-funded warrants should generally expect to be taxed in the same manner as a holder of common stock as described below. Accordingly, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a fractional share), and upon exercise, the holding period of the share of common stock received should include the holding period of the pre-funded warrant. Similarly, the tax basis of a share of common stock received upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant should include the tax basis of the pre-funded warrant increased by the exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The balance of this discussion generally assumes that the characterization described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Our position with respect to the characterization of pre-funded warrants is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may treat the pre-funded warrants as warrants to acquire our common stock. If so, the amount and character of your gain with respect to an investment in our pre-funded warrants could change. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the characterization of pre-funded warrants for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the consequences to you of an investment in the pre-funded warrants based on your own particular facts and circumstances.

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Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

Distributions on common stock and pre-funded warrants

As stated under “Dividend policy,” we do not expect to make cash distributions on our common stock (or pre-funded warrants) in the foreseeable future. In the event that we do make distributions of cash or other property, distributions paid on common stock (or pre-funded warrants) will be treated as a dividend to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), and will be includible in your income as ordinary income when received. However, with respect to dividends received by individuals, such dividends are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock (or pre-funded warrant). The tax treatment of such gain is further described in “—Sale or other disposition of common stock or pre-funded warrants” below. Dividends received by a corporation may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations. Any such distributions will also be subject to the discussions below under the section titled “—Information reporting and backup withholding.”

A U.S. Holder of a pre-funded warrant may be entitled to receive certain distributions, including cash dividends, paid with respect to common stock prior to the exercise of the pre-funded warrant and, in such case, would be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder of common stock that receives such a distribution. However, under certain circumstances, it is possible for all or a portion of such distributions to be held in abeyance for the U.S. Holder until a pre-funded warrant is exercised or the ownership limitations (described under “Description of pre-funded warrants”) would not be exceeded. In this case, upon the earlier of the ownership limitations not being exceeded or the pre-funded warrant being exercised, the U.S. Holder would be entitled to receive such distributions. It is possible that such entitlement to distributions could cause the declaration of a distribution on our common stock to be currently taxable to the U.S. Holders of pre-funded warrants, including under the principles governing Section 305 of the Code. Additionally, it is possible that other adjustments to the terms of the pre-funded warrant could be considered a constructive distribution under Section 305 of the Code. A holder of a pre-funded warrant should consult its tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of any distribution with respect to such pre-funded warrant that is held in abeyance in connection with any applicable limitation on the holder’s beneficial ownership of our common stock.

Sale or other disposition of common stock or pre-funded warrants

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of common stock or pre-funded warrants will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the common stock or pre-funded warrants for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between your tax basis in the common stock or pre-funded warrants disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information reporting and backup withholding

Information reporting requirements generally will apply to any payments of dividends on our common stock and pre-funded warrants, constructive dividends on our pre-funded warrants, and gross proceeds on the sale or other disposition of our common stock and pre-funded warrants, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding (currently at a 24% rate) will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.

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Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our common stock or pre-funded warrants that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a U.S. Holder (as defined above) nor a partnership or other pass-through entity. If you are not a Non-U.S. Holder, this section does not apply to you.

Distributions on common stock and pre-funded warrants

As stated under “Dividend policy,” we do not expect to make any cash distributions on our common stock (or pre-funded warrants) in the foreseeable future. If we do make distributions on our common stock (or pre-funded warrants), however, such distributions made to a Non-U.S. Holder will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that is applied against and reduces, but not below zero, a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock (or pre-funded warrants). Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized as described below under the section titled “—Sale or other disposition of common stock and pre-funded warrants.”

Any distribution on our common stock (or pre-funded warrants) that is treated as a dividend paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that is not effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States will generally be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. To obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, certifying the Non-U.S. Holder’s entitlement to benefits under that treaty. Such form must be provided prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. The holder’s agent may then be required to provide certification to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you should consult with your own tax advisor to determine if you are able to obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim with the IRS.

An applicable withholding agent generally is not required to withhold tax on dividends paid (or constructive dividends deemed paid) to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment that the holder maintains in the United States) if a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, stating that the dividends are so connected, is furnished to the applicable withholding agent. In general, such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates applicable to U.S. persons, unless a specific treaty exemption applies. A corporate Non-U.S. Holder receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax,” which is imposed, under certain circumstances, at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty) on the corporate Non-U.S. Holder’s effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain adjustments.

A Non-U.S. Holder of a pre-funded warrant may be entitled to receive certain distributions, including cash dividends, paid with respect to common stock prior to the exercise of the pre-funded warrant and, in such case, would be taxed in the same manner as a Non-U.S. Holder of common stock that receives such a distribution. However, under certain circumstances, it is possible for all or a portion of such distributions to be held in abeyance for a Non-U.S. Holder until a pre-funded warrant is exercised or the ownership limitations (described under “Description of pre-funded warrants”) would not be exceeded. In this case, upon the earlier of the ownership limitations not being exceeded or the pre-funded warrant being exercised, the Non-U.S. Holder would be entitled to receive such distributions. It is possible that such entitlement to distributions could cause the

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declaration of a distribution on our common stock to be currently taxable to the Non-U.S. Holders of pre-funded warrants, including under the principles governing Section 305 of the Code. Additionally, it is possible that other adjustments to the terms of the pre-funded warrant could be considered a constructive distribution under Section 305 of the Code. A holder of a pre-funded warrant should consult its tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of any distribution with respect to such pre-funded warrant that is held in abeyance in connection with any applicable limitation on the holder’s beneficial ownership of our common stock.

See also the section below titled “—Foreign accounts” for additional withholding rules that may apply to dividends paid to certain foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities.

Sale or other disposition of common stock and pre-funded warrants

Subject to the discussion below under the sections titled “—Information reporting and backup withholding” and “—Foreign accounts,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to gain realized on a sale or other disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants unless (a) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment that the holder maintains in the United States), (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual and is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, or (c) we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 897(c)(2), unless any class of our stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Non-U.S. Holder disposes of such class of stock and holds no more than 5% of such class of stock, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, during the shorter of the 5-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held such class of stock.

If you are a Non-U.S. Holder described in (a) above, you will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale at the regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons, unless a specific treaty exemption applies. Corporate Non-U.S. Holders described in (a) above may also be subject to the additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder described in (b) above, you will be required to pay a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses (even though you are not considered a resident of the United States), provided you have timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. With respect to (c) above, in general, we would be a U.S. real property holding corporation if our interests in U.S. real property equal or exceed (by fair market value) at least half of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a U.S. real property holding corporation. However, there can be no assurance that we will not become a U.S. real property holding corporation in the future. Special rules may apply to Non-U.S. Holders of pre-funded warrants (which may constitute a non-regularly traded class of stock for purposes of the rules described above), and non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning those rules.

Information reporting and backup withholding

Generally, we or certain financial middlemen must report information to the IRS with respect to any dividends we pay on our common stock or pre-funded warrants and any constructive dividends deemed paid on pre-funded warrants including the amount of any such dividends, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. A similar report is sent to the holder to whom any such dividends are paid. Pursuant to tax treaties or certain other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the recipient’s country of residence.

Dividends paid by us (or our paying agents) to a Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to U.S. backup withholding. U.S. backup withholding generally will not apply to a Non-U.S. Holder who provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, as applicable, or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a U.S. person.

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Under current U.S. federal income tax law, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding requirements generally will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants effected by or through a U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or non-U.S., unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, as applicable, or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing non-U.S. person status or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding requirements will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a Non-U.S. Holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker. Information reporting and backup withholding requirements may, however, apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the broker has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is, in fact, a U.S. person. For information reporting purposes, certain brokers with substantial U.S. ownership or operations will generally be treated in a manner similar to U.S. brokers.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. If backup withholding is applied to you, you should consult with your own tax advisor to determine whether you are able to obtain a tax refund or credit of such amount.

Foreign Accounts

In addition to, and separately from the withholding rules described above, U.S. federal withholding taxes may apply under the provisions of the Code commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments, including dividends to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends paid in respect of our common stock or pre-funded warrants, constructive distributions deemed paid with respect to pre-funded warrants and the gross proceeds of the disposition on our common stock or pre-funded warrants paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution agrees to undertake certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. The 30% federal withholding tax described in this paragraph cannot be reduced under an income tax treaty with the United States. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

The Treasury Secretary has issued proposed regulations providing that the withholding provisions under FATCA do not apply with respect to payment of gross proceeds (such as gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants), which may be relied upon by taxpayers until final regulations are issued. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock or pre-funded warrants.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW, AS WELL AS TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR U.S. FEDERAL NON-INCOME TAX LAWS SUCH AS ESTATE AND GIFT TAX.

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated     , 2025, among us and Jefferies LLC, Piper Sandler & Co. and Guggenheim Securities, LLC, as the representatives of the underwriters named below and the joint book-running managers of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants shown opposite its name below:

Underwriter		Number of Pre-funded Warrants				Number of Shares
Jefferies LLC
Piper Sandler & Co.
Guggenheim Securities, LLC
Total

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common stock as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common stock, that you will be able to sell any of the common stock by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants subject to their acceptance of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. In addition, the underwriters have advised us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Commission and Expenses

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to the public at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $     per share of common stock or pre-funded warrant to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representatives. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

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The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

Per Share

Total

Per Pre-funded Warrant

Without Option to Purchase Additional Shares

With Option to Purchase Additional Shares

Without Option to Purchase Additional Shares

With Option to Purchase Additional Shares

Public offering price

$

$

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

$

$

$

$

$

Proceeds to us, before expenses

$

$

$

$

$

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $    .

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “CMPX.” We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market, any other nationally recognized securities exchange or any other nationally recognized trading system.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of     shares of common stock from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares of common stock proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above. 

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our officers, directors and certain of our affiliated shareholders have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

• sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-l(h) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or

• otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of common stock, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially, or

• publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC

This restriction terminates after the close of trading of the common stock on and including the 60^th day after the date of this prospectus supplement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the earlier of (i) the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares and (ii) 30 days commencing the date hereof, we shall not, without the written consent of Jefferies LLC, issue shares of our common stock pursuant to our Open Market Sale Agreement^SM, dated as of

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August 1, 2022, as amended on August 30, 2024 (the Sale Agreement), with Jefferies LLC, through which we can sell shares of common stock by means of “at-the-market” offerings from time to time. Additionally, the securityholder may transfer shares of common stock: (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts; (ii) by testate succession or intestate succession to a family member of the securityholder or to a trust whose beneficiaries consist exclusively of one or more of the securityholder and/or a family member; (iii) pursuant to a court order in respect of, or by operation of law as a result of, a divorce; or (iv) if the securityholder is a non-individual, to an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), limited partners, general partners, limited liability company members, trust beneficiaries or stockholders of the securityholder, or, if, in any case, such transfer is not for value; provided, in the case of clauses (i)-(iv), that (x) such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (y) any such transferee executes and delivers to the representative a lock-up agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Jefferies LLC and (z) for clauses (i)-(ii), if the securityholder is required to file a report under the Exchange Act related to such transfer or disposition, such report shall include a statement describing the circumstances of such transfer, and in the case of clauses (iii)-(iv), prior to the expiration of the lock-up period, no public disclosure or any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer. Furthermore, the securityholder may (i) transfer shares of common stock to us upon the exercise of options or warrants or the vesting of restricted stock units to cover tax withholding obligations in connection with such exercise or vesting or for the primary purpose of paying the exercise price of options or warrants to acquire shares of common stock, in each case pursuant to a stock option, stock bonus or other stock plan or arrangement existing as of the date hereof of as described herein and any shares of common stock acquired upon such exercise or vesting shall remain subject to the lock-up agreement, provided that if the securityholder is required to file a report under the Exchange Act related thereto, such report shall include a statement to the effect that the filing relates to the “net” or “cashless” exercise of options to purchase shares of common stock for the purpose of exercising such options including, if applicable, the payment of taxes due as a result of the exercise of options or vesting of restricted stock units; (ii) establish a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, provided that (x) such plan does not provide for the sale or transfer of the holder’s common or such other securities during the lock-up period and (y) any to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the securityholder or us, such announcement or filing shall include a statement that no transfer of shares of common stock may be made under such 10b5-1 plan during the lock-up period; (iii) transfer or dispose of shares of common stock pursuant to mandatory sell-to-cover provisions of a restricted stock unit award agreement existing as of the date of the lock-up agreement, provided that, to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the securityholder or us, such announcement or filing shall include a statement that the sale or transfer was made pursuant to mandatory sell-to cover provisions of such award agreement, or (iv) transfer the securityholders’ shares of common stock pursuant to a bona fide third-party offer for all of our outstanding voting stock, whether pursuant to a merger, tender offer or otherwise, to a third party or group of third parties, provided that in the event that such merger, tender offer or other transaction is not consummated, such shares of common stock held by the securityholder shall remain subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the lock-up agreement.

Jefferies LLC may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 60-day period release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that they may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.

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“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter’s purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

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Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. For example, Jefferies LLC is the sales agent under the Sale Agreement. Under the Sale Agreement, we may offer and sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock through Jefferies LLC through an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, and for which Jefferies LLC is entitled to receive customary commissions.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and certain of its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common stock offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common stock offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Disclaimers About Non-U.S. Jurisdictions

Canada.

(A) Resale Restrictions

The distribution of shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants.

(B) Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

• the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions or section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), as applicable,

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• the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 - Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations,

• where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

• the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

(C) Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that certain of the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 – Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

(D) Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

(E) Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

(F) Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

Australia.

This prospectus supplement is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus supplement in Australia:

A. You confirm and warrant that you are either:

a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the Company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

a person associated with the Company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

a “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

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To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus supplement is void and incapable of acceptance.

B. You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the securities issued to you pursuant to this prospectus supplement for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

European Economic Area.

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant State”), no shares or pre-funded warrants have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which have been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that the shares or pre-funded warrants may be offered to the public in that Relevant State at any time:

(a) to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or

(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the shares or pre-funded warrants shall require us or any of the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares or pre-funded warrants to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares or pre-funded warrants, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Hong Kong.

No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (SFO) and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (CO) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus supplement has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the

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securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus supplement and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Israel.

This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus supplement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares or pre-funded warrants is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

Japan.

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the underwriters will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore.

This prospectus supplement has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the common stock or pre-funded warrants may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the common stock or pre-funded warrants be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares of our common stock or pre-funded warrants are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

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securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares of our common stock or pre-funded warrants pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

(ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(iii) where the transfer is by operation of law;

(iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(v) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland.

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

United Kingdom.

No shares or pre-funded warrants have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares or pre-funded warrants which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the shares or pre-funded warrants may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

(c) in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the FSMA,

provided that no such offer of the shares or pre-funded warrants shall require the Issuer or any Manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares or pre-funded warrants in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares or pre-funded warrants to be

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offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares or pre-funded warrants and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on our behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters and their respective affiliates, with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this document. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares or pre-funded warrants, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of shares or pre-funded warrants on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York, which has acted as our counsel in connection with this offering, will pass upon the validity of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants offered hereby. Duane Morris LLP, New York, New York, has acted as counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Compass Therapeutics, Inc. and subsidiaries for the two years ended December 31, 2024 have been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing in Compass Therapeutics, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our investor website at www.compasstherapeutics.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. Certain information in the registration statement has been omitted from this prospectus supplement in accordance with the rules of the SEC. For more detail about us and any securities that may be offered by this prospectus supplement, you may examine the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus supplement is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus supplement. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) from the date of this prospectus supplement until all of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants offered hereby have been sold or the offering is otherwise terminated:

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, as filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025 and August 11, 2025, respectively;

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• Our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025, to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024;

• Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2025, April  1, 2025 and June 12, 2025 excluding information “furnished” pursuant to Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01; and

• The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B filed with the Commission on November 1, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purposes of updating such description, including the description of capital stock under Item 4.2 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:

Compass Therapeutics, Inc.

80 Guest Street

Suite 601

Boston, Massachusetts 02135

(617) 500-8099

In accordance with Rule 412 of the Securities Act, any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

The information accessible through any website referred to in this prospectus supplement or any document incorporated herein is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus supplement.

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$300,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

We may from time to time issue, in one or more series or classes, up to $300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or units in one or more offerings. We may offer these securities separately or together in units. We will specify in the accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of the securities being offered. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents, and any fees, conversions or discount arrangements, in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We may not sell any securities under this prospectus without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement.

You should read this document and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our securities.

Our securities are currently trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the stock symbol CMPX. On August 29, 2024, the closing price for our common stock, as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market, was $1.36 per share. Our principal executive office is located at 80 Guest Street, Suite 601, Boston, Massachusetts 02135.

We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time by filing amendments or supplements as required. You should read the entire prospectus and any amendments or supplements carefully before you make your investment decision.

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Summary—Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company”.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is September 6, 2024.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
About this Prospectus			1
Risk Factors			2
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Summary			5
Use of Proceeds			7
Securities We May Offer			8
Description of Capital Stock			9
Description of Debt Securities			14
Description of Warrants			21
Description of Units			22
Plan of Distribution			25
Legal Matters			28
Experts			28
Where You Can Find More Information			28
Incorporation by Reference			28

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total amount of $300,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 28 of this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise indicates, references to the “Company”, “we”, “our”, “us” or similar terms refer to Compass Therapeutics, Inc.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks referenced below and described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks referenced below and described in the documents incorporated herein by reference, including (i) our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which is on file with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference, (ii) our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and (iii) other documents we file with the SEC that are deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to, among others, our plans, objectives and expectations for our business, operations and financial performance and condition, and can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

• the ability of our clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of our product candidates, and other positive results;

• the timing and focus of our future clinical trials, and the reporting of data from those trials;

• our plans relating to commercializing our product candidates, if approved, including the geographic areas of focus and sales strategy;

• the expected potential benefits of strategic collaborations with third parties and our ability to attract collaborators with development;

• regulatory and commercialization expertise;

• our estimates of the number of patients who suffer from the diseases we are targeting and the number of patients that will enroll in our clinical trials;

• the size of the market opportunity for our product candidates in each of the diseases we are targeting;

• our ability to expand our product candidates into additional indications and patient populations;

• the success of competing therapies that are or may become available;

• the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy, and therapeutic effects of our product candidates;

• the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, including our expectation to seek special designations, such as orphan drug or breakthrough therapy designation, for our product candidates for various diseases;

• our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates;

• our plans relating to the further development and manufacturing of our product candidates, including additional indications that we may pursue;

• existing regulations and regulatory developments in the United States and other jurisdictions;

• our continued reliance on third parties to conduct additional clinical trials of our product candidates, and for the manufacture of our product candidates for preclinical studies and clinical trials;

• our plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, including extensions of existing patent terms where available and the outcome of our ongoing arbitration proceedings;

• the need to hire additional personnel and our ability to attract and retain such personnel;

• the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing;

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• our financial performance;

• the sufficiency of our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to fund our future operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; and

• our expectations regarding the period during which we will qualify as an emerging growth company under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).

These statements relate to future events or our future operational or financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus.

Any forward-looking statement in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus reflects our current view with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our business, results of operations, industry and future growth. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus and the documents that we reference therein and have filed with the SEC as exhibits thereto completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in the securities covered by this prospectus. For a more complete understanding of the Company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the information set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus in their entirety before making an investment decision.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics to treat multiple human diseases. Our scientific focus is on the relationship between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor growth. Our 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. We plan to advance our product candidates through clinical development as both standalone therapies and in combination with proprietary pipeline antibodies based on supportive clinical and nonclinical data. We currently have three product candidates in the clinical stage of development: CTX-009, CTX-471 and CTX-8371.

Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years following our initial public offering, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30, if we have total annual gross revenue of $1.235 billion or more during any fiscal year, or if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during any three-year period.

As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. These provisions include:

• only two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure;

• reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

• no requirement that we hold non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements; and

• exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

We have taken advantage of some of these reduced disclosure and other requirements, and thus the information we provide stockholders may be different than you might receive or obtain from other public companies in which you hold shares.

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In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates was less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, and, similar to emerging growth companies, if we are a smaller reporting company with less than $100 million in annual revenue, we would not be required to obtain an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 20, 2018. On June 17, 2020, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours merged with and into Compass Therapeutics, a private limited liability company formed in 2014 (the “Merger”). Following the Merger, Compass Therapeutics was the surviving entity and became our wholly-owned subsidiary, and all of the outstanding common and preferred membership interests of Compass Therapeutics were converted into shares of our common stock. On June 17, 2020, we changed our name to Compass Therapeutics, Inc. As a result of the Merger, we acquired the business of Compass Therapeutics and we will continue the existing business operations of Compass Therapeutics as a public reporting company under the name Compass Therapeutics, Inc.

Our principal executive offices are located at 80 Guest Street, Suite 601, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, and our telephone number is (617) 500-8099.

Our website is www.compasstherapeutics.com. Our Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to such reports are filed with the SEC. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file or furnish reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Such reports and other information filed by us with the SEC will be available free of charge on our website. The SEC maintains a website that contains proxy and other information that issuers file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

The contents of the websites referred to above are not incorporated into this filing. Further, our references to the URLs for these websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress, or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not, imply a relationship with, or endorsements or sponsorship of, us by the trademark or trade dress owners.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include research and development and clinical development costs to support the advancement of our product candidates and the expansion of our product candidate pipeline; repayment and refinancing of debt; working capital; and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. Pending these uses, we may invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities, or may hold such proceeds as cash, until they are used for their stated purpose. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds.

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SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the securities we may offer from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

We have authorized capital stock consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each of par value $0.0001 per share. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of designation of any series of preferred stock we may issue, the number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred stock may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of our capital stock.

As of June 30, 2024, we had 137,589,171 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. Unless stated otherwise, the following discussion summarizes the term and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws.

Common Stock

Registration

Our common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Voting

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our common stock do not have any cumulative voting rights.

Distributions on Liquidation

In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available after the payment of all our debts and other liabilities, subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Other Rights

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights and no sinking fund provisions are applicable to our common stock.

Relationship to Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, without further action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. Our board of directors may authorize the

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issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation.

The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series and determine the number of shares in the series and its rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible future financings and acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company. See the section entitled “Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law—Undesignated Preferred Stock” for more information.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of our common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.

Other Convertible Securities

As of the date hereof, other than the securities described above, we do not have any outstanding convertible securities.

Anti-Takeover Effects of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and, as a consequence, they might also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions are also designed in part to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. These provisions might also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. However, we believe that the advantages gained by protecting our ability to negotiate with any unsolicited and potentially unfriendly acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including those priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could improve their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a

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three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

• before the stockholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

• upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

• at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

• any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

• any sale, transfer, lease, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; and

• the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for state law claims for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers and employees to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to the Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein, which we refer to herein as the “Delaware Forum Provision.” The Delaware Forum Provision will not apply to any causes of action arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Our amended and restated bylaws further provide that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, which we refer to herein as the “Federal Forum Provision.” We have chosen the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts as the exclusive forum for such causes of action because our principal executive offices are located in Boston,

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Massachusetts. In addition, our amended and restated bylaws provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our Common Stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing Delaware Forum Provision and Federal Forum Provision.

We recognize that the Delaware Forum Provision and the Federal Forum Provision may impose additional litigation costs on stockholders in pursuing any such claims, particularly if the stockholders do not reside in or near the State of Delaware or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, the forum selection clauses in our amended and restated bylaws may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage the filing of lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. Alternatively, if the Federal Forum Provision is found inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments may be more or less favorable to us than our stockholders.

Board Composition and Filling Vacancies

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office, even if less than a quorum. The classification of directors, together with the limitations on removal of directors and treatment of vacancies, has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors.

No Written Consent of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that all stockholder actions are required to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and that stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. This requirement may lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions and would prevent the amendment of our amended and restated bylaws or removal of directors by our stockholders without holding a meeting of stockholders.

Meetings of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that only a majority of the members of our board of directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

Advance Notice Requirements

Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely,

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notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting.

Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws

As required by the DGCL, any amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation must first be approved by a majority of our board of directors, and if required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, must thereafter be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, except that the amendment of the provisions relating to stockholder action, board composition, limitation of liability and the amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation must be approved by not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class.

Our amended and restated bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any limitations set forth in the amended and restated bylaws, and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, or, if our board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve the amendment, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, in each case voting together as a single class.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

For a discussion of liability and indemnification, see “Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers”.

Transfer Agent

We have appointed Equiniti Trust Company, LLC to serve as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will be incorporated by reference from, reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

• the title of the series of debt securities;

• any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

• the maturity date or dates;

• the form of the debt securities of the series;

• the applicability of any guarantees;

• whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

• whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

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• if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

• the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

• our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

• if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

• the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

• the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

• any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;

• whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

• if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;

• if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

• additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

• additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

• additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

• the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;

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• whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

• the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

• any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than any subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default under the Indenture

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

• if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

• if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

• if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

• if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal

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amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

• the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

• subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

• the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

• the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,

• such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and

• the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

• to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

• to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale”;

• to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

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• to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

• to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

• to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

• to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities—General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

• to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or

• to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

• extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;

• reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or

• reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

• provide for payment;

• register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

• replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

• pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

• maintain paying agencies;

• hold monies for payment in trust;

• recover excess money held by the trustee;

• compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

• appoint any successor trustee.

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In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

• issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

• register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

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Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus.

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate warrant agreement. We will enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

• the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

• the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

• if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

• if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

• in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

• the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;

• the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

• any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

• the periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable;

• the manner of exercise;

• the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

• the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;

• federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

• the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock and warrants in any combination. We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section outlines certain provisions of the units that we may issue. If we issue units, they will be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. The information described in this section may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below. We urge you to read any prospectus supplement related to any series of units we may offer, as well as the complete unit agreement and unit certificate that contain the terms of the units. If we issue units, forms of unit agreements and unit certificates relating to such units will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus.

Each unit that we may issue will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

• the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

• any provisions of the governing unit agreement;

• the price or prices at which such units will be issued;

• the applicable United States federal income tax considerations relating to the units;

• any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

• any other terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant and as may be updated in any prospectus supplements.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the units that apply generally to all series. Most of the financial and other specific terms of a particular series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unit Agreements

We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. We may add, replace or terminate unit agents from time to time. We will identify the unit agreement under which each series of units will be issued and the unit agent under that agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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The following provisions will generally apply to all unit agreements unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement:

Modification without Consent

We and the applicable unit agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder:

• to cure any ambiguity; any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below;

• to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or

• to make any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material respect.

We do not need any approval to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected units.

Modification with Consent

We may not amend any particular unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment would:

• impair any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right; or

• reduce the percentage of outstanding units or any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class, or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class, as described below.

Any other change to a particular unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:

• If the change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of that series; or

• If the change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

These provisions regarding changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.

In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.

Unit Agreements Will Not Be Qualified under Trust Indenture Act

No unit agreement will be qualified as an indenture, and no unit agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of units issued under unit agreements will not have the protections of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their units.

Mergers and Similar Transactions Permitted; No Restrictive Covenants or Events of Default

The unit agreements will not restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets to, another corporation or other entity or to engage in any other transactions. If at any time we merge or consolidate with, or

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sell our assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation or other entity, the successor entity will succeed to and assume our obligations under the unit agreements. We will then be relieved of any further obligation under these agreements.

The unit agreements will not include any restrictions on our ability to put liens on our assets, nor will they restrict our ability to sell our assets. The unit agreements also will not provide for any events of default or remedies upon the occurrence of any events of default.

Governing Law

The unit agreements and the units will be governed by New York law.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue each unit in global—i.e., book-entry—form only. Units in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the units represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a unit will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. We will describe book-entry securities, and other terms regarding the issuance and registration of the units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each unit and all securities comprising the unit will be issued in the same form.

If we issue any units in registered, non-global form, the following will apply to them.

The units will be issued in the denominations stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exchange their units for units of smaller denominations or combined into fewer units of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed.

• Holders may exchange or transfer their units at the office of the unit agent. Holders may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated units at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

• Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their units, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity before replacing any units.

• If we have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any units before their maturity, and we exercise our right as to less than all those units or other securities, we may block the exchange or transfer of those units during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any unit selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any unit being partially settled. We may also block the transfer or exchange of any unit in this manner if the unit includes securities that are or may be selected for early settlement.

Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a unit in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the unit.

Payments and Notices

In making payments and giving notices with respect to our units, we will follow the procedures as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities:

• through underwriters;

• through dealers;

• through agents;

• directly to purchasers;

• in an “at the market offering”, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act; or

• through a combination of any of these methods or any other method permitted by law.

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. In the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, we will name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay to any such agent. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

• at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

• at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

• at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

• at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

• the name of the agent or any underwriters;

• the public offering or purchase price;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

• all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

• any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement, sales agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

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In connection with the offering of securities, we may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

• the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

• if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with their remarketing of offered securities.

Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates, may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or

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any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than one scheduled business day after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the first business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than one scheduled business day after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Any underwriters will also be advised about the validity of the securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Compass Therapeutics, Inc. and subsidiaries for the two years ended December 31, 2023 have been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing in Compass Therapeutics, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC this registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of this registration statement, does not contain all of the information in this registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, you should refer to this registration statement and the exhibits filed as part of this document. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including this registration statement, over the Internet on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at: 80 Guest Street, Suite 601, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, (617) 500-8099.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We have elected to incorporate the following documents into this prospectus, together with all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference, to the extent not otherwise amended or superseded by the contents of this prospectus:

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024;

• our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024, and for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024;

• our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024, to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023;

• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2024, May  28, 2024 and June 17, 2024 (other than any reports or portions thereof that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 and any exhibits included with such Items); and

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• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B filed with the Commission on November 1, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purposes of updating such description.

The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and until all offerings under this prospectus are terminated.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost by writing, telephoning or e-mailing us at the following address or telephone number:

Compass Therapeutics, Inc.

80 Guest Street

Suite 601

Boston, Massachusetts 02135

(617) 500-8099

You may also access these documents, free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.compasstherapeutics.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

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   Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase    Shares of Common Stock

Prospectus Supplement

Joint Active Bookrunners

Jefferies Piper Sandler Guggenheim Securities

   , 2025

FAQ

What is Compass Therapeutics (CMPX) offering in this prospectus supplement?

Compass is offering shares of common stock and, in lieu of common stock for certain investors, pre-funded warrants exercisable into common stock.

Are the pre-funded warrants listed or liquid?

No. The pre-funded warrants are not listed on any exchange, and the company does not expect a public trading market to develop for them.

What is the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants?

Each pre-funded warrant is exercisable for one share at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share; the purchase price equals the public offering price minus $0.0001.

How much cash did Compass report on hand and how long is the runway?

As of June 30, 2025, Compass reported $100.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and states that, together with proceeds of this offering, funds are expected to be sufficient to support operations into 2028.

Who are the underwriters for the offering?

The joint active bookrunners are Jefferies, Piper Sandler and Guggenheim Securities.

What are Compass’s lead product candidates mentioned in the filing?

The filing names tovecimig (CTX-009) (DLL4/VEGF-A bispecific), CTX-471 (CD-137 agonist), CTX-8371 (PD-1/PD-L1 bispecific) and CTX-10726 (PD-1/VEGF-A) in IND-enabling studies.

How many common shares were outstanding as of June 30, 2025?

Compass reported 138,282,498 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025.