ACAD
HealthcareACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Biotechnology · $4B
What is ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on central nervous system disorders. Its lead commercial product targets Parkinson's disease psychosis, while a pipeline of clinical-stage candidates addresses conditions ranging from Alzheimer's psychosis to Rett syndrome.
ACADIA generates revenue primarily through NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), an approved treatment for hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson's disease psychosis. Beyond its commercial product, the company reinvests in a pipeline spanning Phase 1 through Phase 3 trials. These programs target Alzheimer's disease psychosis, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Rett syndrome, and non-opioid pain management — areas where existing treatment options remain limited.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in San Diego, California, ACADIA has built its identity around small molecule drugs for underserved CNS conditions.
- NUPLAZID (pimavanserin) for Parkinson's disease psychosis
- Pimavanserin pipeline extension into Alzheimer's psychosis and schizophrenia
- Trofinetide, a Phase 3 candidate for Rett syndrome
- ACP-044, a non-opioid analgesic in Phase 2 for acute and chronic pain
- ACP-319, a Phase 1 muscarinic modulator for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's cognition
Is ACAD a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates ACAD as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with meaningful strengths and areas that warrant attention.
The Risk pillar stands out as the clearest positive — ACADIA carries a risk profile that compares favorably within the biotech space. Growth also registers as Good, supported by a diversified late-stage pipeline that could expand the company's addressable market well beyond its current commercial footprint.
The Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting the competitive pressures common to single-product biopharmaceutical companies. Valuation is flagged as Elevated, suggesting the market has already priced in a degree of pipeline optimism.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does ACAD pay dividends?
No — ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
ACAD does not currently pay a dividend. This is typical for clinical-stage and early-commercial biopharmaceutical companies, which generally prioritize reinvesting capital into research, clinical trials, and pipeline development rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions.
When does ACAD report earnings?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Quarterly results for ACAD tend to focus on NUPLAZID revenue trends, operating expense management, and pipeline milestone updates. Investors typically watch for commentary on clinical trial progress and cash runway alongside top-line figures.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit ACADIA Pharmaceuticals' investor relations page directly.
ACAD Price History
-2.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.?
Based on ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
ACAD Long-term Outlook
ACADIA's fundamental outlook is shaped by the interplay between its Good Growth profile and its Elevated Valuation. The pipeline — spanning multiple late-stage programs — represents the primary driver of potential value creation, but also introduces binary clinical risk. The Strong Risk pillar suggests the company is relatively well-positioned from a financial stability standpoint, which matters in a sector where cash management is critical.
Growth drivers
- Pipeline readouts across Phase 2 and Phase 3 CNS programs
- Potential label expansions for pimavanserin into new indications
- Unmet medical need in Rett syndrome and non-opioid pain treatment
Key risks
- Clinical trial failure risk across multiple pipeline candidates
- Elevated valuation leaves limited margin of safety if milestones slip
- Competitive CNS landscape with well-resourced larger pharma entrants
ACAD vs Peers
ACAD operates in a competitive CNS and rare-disease biopharmaceutical space alongside several focused clinical-stage peers.
Travere focuses on rare kidney and metabolic diseases, giving it a distinct therapeutic niche compared to ACADIA's CNS-centered pipeline.
Edgewise targets muscle-related rare diseases, pursuing a different biological mechanism and patient population than ACADIA's neurological focus.
Legend Biotech operates in cell therapy for hematologic cancers, representing a different modality and disease area from ACADIA's small molecule CNS approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ACADIA Pharmaceuticals do?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes small molecule drugs targeting central nervous system disorders. Its approved product, NUPLAZID, treats hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson's disease psychosis. The company also maintains a pipeline of clinical-stage candidates addressing Alzheimer's psychosis, Rett syndrome, schizophrenia, and non-opioid pain management.
Does ACAD pay dividends?
ACAD does not currently pay a dividend. Like most clinical-stage and early-commercial biopharmaceutical companies, ACADIA reinvests available capital into research and pipeline development rather than distributing cash to shareholders.
When does ACAD report earnings?
ACADIA reports earnings quarterly, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check ACADIA Pharmaceuticals' official investor relations page, which is updated each reporting period.
Is ACAD a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates ACAD as Good overall. The Risk pillar is Strong and Growth is Good, but the Moat is Weak and Valuation is Elevated. Whether that profile fits your investment approach depends on your risk tolerance and time horizon — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is ACAD overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for ACAD is rated Elevated, indicating the current market price reflects meaningful optimism about pipeline outcomes. Investors should weigh that against the clinical and execution risks inherent in a company with a single commercial product and multiple candidates in development.
How does ACAD compare to its competitors?
ACAD competes in the broader rare-disease and CNS biopharmaceutical space. Compared to peers like Travere Therapeutics, Edgewise Therapeutics, and Legend Biotech, ACADIA is differentiated by its focus on CNS small molecules and its one approved commercial product. The UQS platform scores each peer independently — see the comparison tool for side-by-side pillar ratings.
What is ACAD's market cap bracket?
ACAD is classified as a mid-cap stock. This places it in a range that typically offers more liquidity than small-cap biotechs while still carrying the pipeline-driven volatility characteristic of companies that have not yet achieved large-scale commercial revenue.
Who founded ACADIA Pharmaceuticals?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1993. Founding details, including the names of original founders, are part of the company's publicly available corporate history and can be found through ACADIA's official website or SEC filings.
Is ACAD a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, ACAD's UQS profile shows Good Quality and Growth alongside a Strong Risk rating — a reasonable foundation. However, the Weak Moat and Elevated Valuation suggest that long-term outcomes will depend heavily on pipeline execution. Pro members can view the complete analysis to assess fit with a long-term strategy.
What is the main competitive advantage of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals?
ACADIA's primary advantage is its established commercial presence in Parkinson's disease psychosis through NUPLAZID, combined with a pipeline targeting conditions with limited existing therapies. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting the challenges of sustaining durable competitive advantages in the biopharmaceutical sector.
What sector does ACAD belong to?
ACAD is classified in the Healthcare sector, specifically within biopharmaceuticals. The company focuses exclusively on central nervous system disorders, a subsegment of healthcare characterized by high unmet medical need and significant clinical development risk.
Is ACAD a growth stock or value stock?
Based on its UQS profile, ACAD leans toward the growth category — the Growth pillar is rated Good, reflecting pipeline optionality and potential revenue expansion. The Valuation pillar is Elevated rather than Attractive, which is more consistent with a growth-oriented market pricing than a value-oriented one.
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Pro Analysis
ACAD — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 58.9 | 70.5 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 32.7 | +0.1 |
| May 22, 2026 | 58.8 | 70.3 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 32.3 | -0.1 |
| May 21, 2026 | 58.9 | 70.6 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 32.9 | -0.2 |
| May 20, 2026 | 59.1 | 70.8 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 33.7 | +0.2 |
| May 19, 2026 | 58.9 | 70.3 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 33.4 | +0.1 |
| May 16, 2026 | 58.8 | 70.3 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 32.2 | +0.3 |
| May 15, 2026 | 58.5 | 69.9 | 35.0 | 63.1 | 100.0 | 31.0 | 0.0 |
| May 14, 2026 | 58.5 | 69.9 | 35.0 | 63.2 | 100.0 | 31.0 | -0.2 |
| May 13, 2026 | 58.7 | 70.1 | 35.0 | 63.2 | 100.0 | 31.8 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 58.6 | 70.1 | 35.0 | 63.2 | 100.0 | 31.6 | +2.8 |
ACAD — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 70.5/100 (25%)ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 63.1/100 (20%)ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 100.0/100 (15%)ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 32.7/100 (15%)ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 35/100 (25%)ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ACAD.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the ACAD UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.