To the Compass community,
Today, as we embark on our next chapter at Compass Pathways, I am honoured to have been selected by George Goldsmith, Ekaterina Malievskaia, and the rest of the Board of Directors, as Compass’ next Chief Executive Officer.
As I take on this new role, I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to get to know all our teams here at Compass as well as the members of our community. I have long believed in and admired the mission and commitment of Compass. I first met Compass’ co-founders, George, Katya, and Lars when I helped to lead Otsuka’s investment in Compass’ Series B investment round in 2020. From the start, I was struck by their passion and determination to advance data-based and innovative solutions in mental health care. I have been impressed by the scientific rigour and boldness of the Compass team as they develop evidence-based options for some of the world’s most serious mental health conditions, and work to get regulatory approval and make them accessible to those who are not helped by current treatments. I am deeply and personally dedicated to Compass’ goals of creating personalised, predictive and preventative approaches to care delivery, which improve patient outcomes and create value for health systems by combining pharmacological, psychological and digital interventions. I look forward to carrying on and advancing that mission.
As you get to know me, you will find I am a purpose-driven leader committed to my new Compass colleagues and those we serve. I have a strong personal connection to the challenges of serious mental illness and to Compass’ mission. I believe that individual experiences allow us to achieve incredible things together and to contribute better ideas, better execution of ideas, and better performance. By treating each other with fairness, we can be our best each day and contribute in a way that is meaningful to those who need it most.
I have several decades of experience in the health care industry in both medical technology and biopharma, most recently serving as Senior Managing Director of global pharmaceuticals at Otsuka and previously as President and CEO of Otsuka’s North America Pharmaceutical Business. During my time at Otsuka, I led the development and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products and digital solutions addressing complex mental health needs and coordinated the company’s technology partnerships and capabilities.
As I settle into my new role beginning August 1, I’m thrilled – and grateful – that I will have the opportunity to work closely with George, Katya, the rest of our talented team and our dedicated community. I am particularly grateful that George, after leading Compass’ growth from emerging start-up to a leader in the mental health care field, will serve as Executive Chairman from 1 August 2022 to 31 December 2022, maintaining his role as Chairman in 2023. He will continue to shape Compass’ leadership in public-private partnerships, advocacy and policy efforts to improve outcomes in mental health care.
There is great work to do ahead – especially as we begin our Phase III programme for patients suffering with treatment-resistant depression. One of my main priorities will be ensuring COMP360 psilocybin therapy moves successfully through the clinical trial, regulatory and reimbursement processes and is brought into healthcare systems, together with psychological and digital support, to patients who urgently need it.
This is an exciting time to be a part of the Compass Pathways team. We are well positioned for long-term growth and success, and I cannot wait to see what we will accomplish next.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Kabir Nath