Recent positive data was announced from two investigator-initiated studies demonstrating the potential of COMP360, a psilocybin therapy for anorexia nervosa and severe treatment-resistant depression. These two studies provided support for continued research at a larger scale to elucidate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin.

The first study from Sheppard Pratt Hospital was conducted in patients with severe treatment resistant depression. The participants (n=12) received a single 25mg of the compound dose after having tried five different courses of traditional antidepressants. At 12 weeks post-treatment with COMP360, only 58.3% (n=7) of the participants had maintained response criteria for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. There were no reported serious adverse events or increases in suicidality among those who participated.

The second study conducted at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine used COMP360 psilocybin therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa. The (n=10) participants were again given a 25mg dose of COMP360 and then had multiple follow-up visits to track their responses. 30% of the patients (n=3) experienced clinically significant reductions in psychopathology at the 1-month follow-up and 40% showed the same reduction at 3-months. They also exhibited statistically significant reductions in shape concerns and eating concerns at 1-month and 3-months, respectively. As with the previously mentioned study, the therapy was well tolerated, and no adverse events were reported.

>> COMPASS Pathways Press Release

References:

Aaronson S, Miller T, Rudow S, Forbes M, Suppes T. P388. Open label psilocybin administration in severely treatment resistant depression. Biological Psychiatry. 2022;91(9):S244. Abstract

Knatz Peck S, Shao S, Murray S, Kaye W. P450. Pilot study evaluation of psilocybin therapy for anorexia nervosa: safety, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. Biological Psychiatry. 2022;91(9):S270. Abtract