Next Generation Pharmacotherapies for Mood and Anxiety Disorders: An ASCP Poster Presentation Recap

CONFERENCE REPORTER

Alana King, a postgraduate associate at Yale's Depression Research Program, discussed her poster from the 2026 American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting, on next-generation pharmacotherapies for mood and anxiety disorders. The poster aimed to address the unmet need for treatments for the 30% of individuals who are treatment-resistant and the economic burden of these disorders.

The poster categorizes emerging treatments into psychedelics, glutamatergic and GABA modulators, ion channel modulators, and novel mechanisms. She explained the rationale behind these categories, highlighting the diverse mechanisms being developed in the pipeline. The poster ultimately provided a snapshot of the current clinical landscape, summarizing what is going on in each category, King explained. Key developments include Compass's positive phase 3 results for COMP005 and COMP006, MindMed's LSD tablet for major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and Neurocrine's AMPA receptor potentiator, osavampator, in phase 3.

Psychedelics and Psychedelic-Like Compounds

King briefly discussed the positive top-line results from Compass's COMP005 and COMP006 trials.¹ She mentioned that MindMed is developing a phase 3 trial for their LSD tablet for MDD and GAD. The category included a mix of announced and unannounced results, showcasing the diverse development stages of these compounds.

Glutamatergic and GABA Modulators

King highlighted mixed results in this category, with Boehringer Ingelheim announcing negative results from their NR 2b subunit trial. Neurocrine had a positive phase 2 trial and is now conducting 4 ongoing phase 3 trials for their AMPA positive allosteric modulator tablet.² The category reflects the complexity of glutamatergic and GABA modulators, with both positive and negative outcomes. The diverse results indicate the challenges and progress in this area of pharmacotherapy development.

Ion Channel Modulators

This category is smaller but significant, focusing on distinct mechanisms. The category showcases the unique mechanisms being explored, with potential for future advancements. The progress in ion channel modulators underscores the broader landscape of pharmacotherapy development.

Challenges and Future Directions

King noted challenges like functional unblinding and generalizability of trial populations.

The landscape is broadening with diverse mechanisms, and there is anticipation for potential US Food and Drug Administration approvals.

Ms King is a prospective neuroscience PhD student currently working as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the Yale Depression Research Program. She is involved in clinical research on treatment-resistant depression, including studies comparing esketamine and IV ketamine, and gaining exposure to procedural interventions such as ECT and TMS.

References

1. Kuntz L, Goodwin G. Phase 3 program investigating COMP360 psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: breaking poster data from the 2026 ASCP annual meeting. Psychiatric Times. May 28, 2026. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/phase-3-program-investigating-comp360-psilocybin-for-treatment-resistant-depression-breaking-poster-data-from-the-2026-ascp-annual-meeting

2. Singh JB, Ge T, Ionescu A, et al. Osavampator (NBI-1065845/TAK-653) demonstrates statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in depression severity and is well tolerated in adults with major depressive disorder: phase 2 SAVITRI results. Presented at: 2025 Psych Congress®, September 17-21, 2025; San Diego, CA. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/node/347570