Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX)

Compass Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics for human diseases. Its scientific focus is the relationship between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor growth. Its product candidates are designed to modulate tumor microvasculature through angiogenesis-targeted agents, to induce a potent immune response through activators on effector cells in the tumor microenvironment, and to relieve the immunosuppressive mechanisms tumors use to evade immune surveillance. The company plans to develop and commercialize these candidates both as standalone therapies and in combination with one another, and it may pursue strategic partnerships for select candidates.

The pipeline has four clinical-stage candidates. Tovecimig (formerly CTX-009) is a bispecific antibody targeting DLL4 and VEGF-A. It is being studied in a randomized Phase 2/3 trial with paclitaxel in previously treated biliary tract cancer (BTC), which met its primary endpoint with an overall response rate of 17.1% versus 5.3% for paclitaxel alone. Progression-free survival and overall survival results are expected in April 2026. An investigator-sponsored first-line BTC trial led by MD Anderson is also under way. A Phase 2 colorectal cancer monotherapy study showed a 5% response rate, and a Phase 2 basket study in DLL4-positive cancers is planned for mid-2026. CTX-471 is a fully human IgG4 agonist antibody against CD137 (4-1BB). It showed monotherapy activity in patients who progressed after PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, including melanoma, small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. A Phase 2 study in tumors expressing the potential biomarker NCAM (CD56) is planned for mid-2026. CTX-8371 is a PD-1 x PD-L1 bispecific antibody discovered with the company's StitchMabs platform. It is in a Phase 1 trial that has shown responses in non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma, with no dose-limiting toxicities, and expansion cohorts are enrolling. CTX-10726 is a tetravalent PD-1 x VEGF-A bispecific antibody developed in-house. It received FDA IND clearance in early 2026 and entered a Phase 1 dose-escalation study. The company is also developing additional product candidates.

The company targets cancer patients, especially those with limited treatment options. It estimates about 26,500 new BTC diagnoses per year in the United States and over 200,000 worldwide. Further tovecimig indications under consideration include colorectal, ovarian, gastric, renal cell and hepatocellular carcinoma. CTX-8371 and CTX-10726 address the checkpoint inhibitor market, which the company estimates at about $50 billion in aggregate sales, where efficacy is limited to roughly 20% of patients.

Tovecimig is licensed from ABL Bio, Inc., a South Korea-based antibody company, which granted the company exclusive global rights outside South Korea. South Korean rights are held by Handok Pharmaceuticals, and China rights were out-licensed to Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals. Earlier tovecimig trials were completed in South Korea, and the current Phase 2/3 trial is in the United States. The company relies on its research and discovery platform, including StitchMabs and common light chain antibody technology, to generate candidates, and it has experience developing and manufacturing bispecific antibody structures.