Compass Pathways has published survey data showing how treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects patients and their caregivers, laying the groundwork for the launch of its psychedelic therapy.
London-based Compass aims to launch COMP360 psilocybin, a drug candidate based on the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, in the U.S. in the first half of next year. The biotech has begun to prime the market for the launch, rolling out an education campaign focused on U.S. healthcare providers and contributing to the first-ever TRD awareness day.
Monday, Compass shared survey data that it teased as part of the TRD awareness day. The data come from a national survey of 261 people living with TRD, as well as 73 caregivers. Compass ran the survey to understand how TRD affects patients and their families.
Almost 75% of patients reported feeling that they have taken all available treatment options and are emotionally exhausted from trying ineffective therapies. More than 60% of patients said they wished they could have tried different treatment approaches sooner once it was clear their current treatment was ineffective.
Most respondents reported being very or extremely frustrated with depression therapies and feeling like they wanted to stop treatment altogether at least some of the time. Almost 90% of people said that they have felt judged or misunderstood because their depression hasn't responded to treatment.
The survey shows how years of searching for an effective treatment take a toll on patients and caregivers. Asked what TRD has negatively impacted, 69% of respondents said their relationship with friends and 50% said their marriage or partnership. Most respondents reported missing an important family event, holiday gathering or birthday celebration because of TRD.
About half of caregivers have reduced the number of hours they work and 55% reported that looking after someone with TRD has affected their mental health. Most caregivers said they feel emotionally exhausted by repeated treatment attempts that have failed their loved ones.
The survey results flesh out the unmet need that Compass hopes to address. COMP360 is on track to become the first classic psychedelic treatment to win FDA approval. The first-mover advantage is offset by the burden of needing to persuade physicians, patients and payers to embrace a new type of TRD treatment.