Top Picks 2026: Axsome Therapeutics Inc.

Image Source: Unsplash
Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (AXSM) is a name we started to follow just as the market was going over the falls in early 2025. As opposed to the market, the stock stayed down for months afterward. But after a lot of base-building, buyers have taken control -- and the growth and the story are as good as ever, advises Mike Cintolo, chief investment strategist at Cabot Wealth Network.
As opposed to many biotechs, Axsome isn’t just a one-drug outfit. It has three products on the market now. and more are to come.
Auvelity (for major depressive disorder) is the big draw these days, with sales up 69% in Q3. Management thinks peak sales could be $2 billion or so, about four times what it brings right now on a run-rate basis. Then there’s Sunosi for sleep apnea (sales up 35% last quarter) and Symbravo (acute migraines) that only recently hit the market. Each likely have peak sales potential near $400 million down the road.
Beyond that, there are two drugs that are likely to get FDA approval in 2026. One (AXS-12, targeting narcolepsy) looks like a $500 million opportunity. But the bigger one (AXS-05, for Alzheimer’s agitation) should have potential into the $1.5 billion range or more (approval seen likely in the first half of 2026). Axsome even has another drug in Phase III trials (for ADHD and other indications) that it thinks can be another $1 billion producer.
As for the here and now, sales growth is rapid (up 63% and 72% the past two quarters), with analysts looking for 50%-plus gains all of next year. The bottom line is still in the red. But that should change sometime in 2026 as business continues to ramp. Plus, sales should continue to grow rapidly for years to come even beyond this year.
As mentioned above, the stock etched a big launching pad, consolidating for about nine months in total. But it’s been acting much better since late September, with shares moving past their prior highs in late-2025. Near-term volatility is possible, but we think the path of least resistance is up – and approvals of the AXS drugs could provide an added tailwind.
My recommended action would be to consider purchasing shares of Axsome Therapeutics.
About the Author
During his more than ten years at Cabot, Michael Cintolo has uncovered exceptional growth stocks and helped to create new tools and rules for buying and selling stocks. Perhaps most notable was his development of the proprietary trend-following market timing system, Cabot Tides, which has helped Cabot place among the top investment newsletters numerous times.
Cabot Growth Investor has been consistently recognized for outstanding performance by Hulbert Financial Digest and Timer Digest. It is one of Hulbert's top five newsletters for five-year risk-adjusted performance with a 13.2% annualized return as of June 30, 2011. It is also ranked among the Top Ten Newsletters by Timer Digest for long-term performance.
More By This Author:
Top Picks 2026: Starwood Property Trust Inc.DXJ And EWJ: Two Ways To Trade Japanese Market Momentum
Top Picks 2026: Brown & Brown Inc.