Aura Biosciences completes Phase 3 CoMpass enrollment, cuts staff 20% to focus on ocular oncology

Aura Biosciences reported second quarter 2026 results on August 11, 2026, announcing that the Phase 3 CoMpass trial, the first registration-enabling study in patients with early choroidal melanoma, finished enrolling 108 patients, above its original target.¹ Topline results from the 15-month primary endpoint are still expected in the second half of 2027, and the study is running under a Special Protocol Assessment agreed with the FDA.¹

The company said it is shifting resources away from its bladder cancer work. In an interim look at the Phase 1b/2 NMIBC study, 81% of intermediate-risk patients treated with bel-sar alone or with TURBT had an objective response at 3 months, with 69% showing complete response, and all evaluable patients at the 9- and 12-month marks remained disease-free.¹ Despite this, Aura said it is minimizing resources for the NMIBC program going forward as part of its ocular oncology refocus.¹

Organizationally, the company cut its workforce by about 20% as part of a broader restructuring of its operating plan.¹ Restructuring charges are estimated at $2.9 million to $3.2 million, mostly severance-related, with the plan expected to be largely finished by the end of the third quarter of 2026.¹

Susan Abu-Absi was named Chief Operating Officer, Erica Kratz Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer, and Julie Person Chief People Officer. Meanwhile, Tony Gibney (Chief Financial and Business Officer) and Conor Kilroy (Chief Legal Officer) are leaving, and Mark Plavsic has already left his role as Chief Technology Officer.¹

Financially, Aura held $323.8 million in cash and marketable securities as of June 30, 2026, which it says can fund operations into the first half of 2029.¹ Net loss for the quarter was $45.6 million, versus $27.0 million a year earlier.¹