Axsome acquires global rights to Takeda’s balipodect

An update from Axsome Therapeutics ( (AXSM) ) is now available.

On April 1, 2026, Axsome Therapeutics announced an asset purchase agreement to acquire exclusive global rights from Takeda to balipodect (TAK-063), a novel, oral, potent and selective phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor. The company plans to develop the drug initially for schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome and to start Phase 3 trial-enabling activities for schizophrenia in 2026.

Balipodect, which has completed a 164-patient Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in schizophrenia and has shown a favorable safety and tolerability profile in more than 360 individuals, could represent a first-in-class mechanism targeting PDE10A in neuropsychiatric disease. Under the deal, Axsome gains worldwide commercial, development and manufacturing rights, while Takeda receives an upfront payment plus eligibility for development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties, expanding Axsome’s CNS portfolio and potentially strengthening its competitive position in treatments for severe psychiatric conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (AXSM) stock is a Buy with a $245.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Axsome Therapeutics stock, see the AXSM Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on AXSM Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, AXSM is a Neutral.

The score is held back primarily by weak financial quality (ongoing losses, negative free cash flow, and higher leverage), despite improving revenue and margins. Offsetting this is a strong earnings-call outlook with accelerating commercial performance and multiple near-term regulatory/pipeline catalysts. Technicals are mixed with supportive longer-term trend but softer near-term momentum, while valuation support is limited due to negative earnings and no dividend.

To see Spark’s full report on AXSM stock, click here.

More about Axsome Therapeutics

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. is a New York-based biopharmaceutical company focused on central nervous system disorders, developing differentiated treatments with novel mechanisms of action. Its neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved therapies for major depressive disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, alongside multiple late-stage programs for serious neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting over 150 million people in the U.S.

The company positions itself as an industry leader in CNS therapeutics by targeting critical gaps in care and advancing innovative products aimed at improving brain health and patient outcomes. It markets its medicines in the U.S. and continues to expand its late-stage pipeline across a broad range of neuropsychiatric and neurological indications, reinforcing its role in the evolving brain health market.

Average Trading Volume: 652,844

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: $8.65B

See more data about AXSM stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.