Advancing Innovation in Mental Health: An Interview with Kabir Nath, CEO of Compass Pathways
From Our Friends at Psychedelic Vantage
Compass Pathways is a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. Their first major initiative is developing COMP360 psilocybin as a potentially differentiated treatment option for those living with TRD, through rigorous scientific research.
In this episode of the Psychedelic Vantage Podcast, Host Jake Slomowitz speaks with Kabir Nath, CEO of Compass Pathways, about this important work.
Topics covered include:
• Kabir’s background and how he came to Compass.
• The mission of Compass Pathways.
• What treatment-resistant depression is, and Kabir’s interesting perspective on this phrase.
• What the treatment journey can look like for patients living with TRD.
• How we can move toward a model where more patients living with TRD gain access to treatments that have demonstrated adequate efficacy in this population.
• Early top-line results from the ongoing COMP005 study.
• The design of COMP006.
• Measuring outcomes beyond MADRS scores.
• The most important milestones for Compass and for the broader field of psychedelic medicine moving forward.
They also cover the major developments of the past year, including AbbVie’s up to $1.2 billion acquisition of Bretisilocin, what we know about the compound, the type of psychedelic experience it produces, and why the deal terms were so significant. Florian and Lars share their views on what this deal means for future M&A activity, potential licensing opportunities, and whether multiple short, medium, and long-duration psychedelics can succeed commercially.
Additionally, they discuss efficacy in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) versus Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), opportunities for psychedelics beyond depression such as substance use disorders, TBI, and pain, and the data needed to expand into new indications. Florian and Lars then close the episode by sharing what they are most looking forward to in the coming months and years in psychedelic medicine.
Psychedelic Vantage is a platform, webseries and podcast hosted by founder Jake Slomowitz. It features conversations with leading figures in the psychedelic startup space, venturing into the world of psychedelic drug development, research, investing, and more.
