Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA): Marketing Mix Analysis [Dec-2025 Updated]

You're looking at Cassava Sciences, Inc. right now, and you need to know that its marketing mix isn't about selling pills yet; it's about managing a clinical pivot, which is defintely a different game. After shelving the Alzheimer's program, the focus is now squarely on Simufilam for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-related epilepsy, which means 'Place' is about clinical trials, not store shelves. For a pre-revenue company where 2025 revenue is forecast at $0, the real 'Price' metric is cash-they had $106.1 million on the books as of September 30, 2025, covering the burn. We'll dive into how their 'Promotion' is all about regulatory updates and managing shareholder value after R&D expenses dropped a massive 78% in Q3 to just $4.0 million.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA) - Marketing Mix: Product

The product element for Cassava Sciences, Inc. centers on its investigational small molecule therapeutic, simufilam, and its secondary diagnostic asset, SavaDx.

Simufilam is an investigational oral small molecule designed to restore the normal shape and function of the scaffolding protein filamin A. The company has made a definitive strategic shift in its product focus as of late 2025. Cassava Sciences, Inc. officially discontinued all efforts to develop simufilam for Alzheimer's disease, expecting to phase out that program completely by the end of Q2 2025. This decision followed the failure of the Phase III REFOCUS-ALZ trial to meet its co-primary endpoints, similar to the earlier RETHINK-ALZ trial.

The primary focus for Cassava Sciences, Inc. is now Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-related epilepsy. This pivot leverages the existing safety profile established across the 1,929-patient Phase 3 Alzheimer's program. The company intends to initiate its first human clinical study for simufilam in TSC-related epilepsy in the first half of 2026 (H1 2026). This indication targets a high unmet need, as approximately 50,000 patients in the US live with TSC, and nearly two-thirds of those patients experience seizures refractory to available treatments.

The preclinical data supporting this new indication are concrete. The research, conducted in collaboration with the TSC Alliance, provides initial validation for simufilam's potential in seizure control. Here's a quick look at the key preclinical findings:

• Simufilam reduced seizure frequency by 60% compared to vehicle in a mouse model.
• The reduction in seizure frequency was statistically significant (p<0.0001).
• Significantly more mice achieved seizure freedom with simufilam (11/32 mice) versus vehicle (3/29 mice) (p=0.0343).

The resource allocation reflects this strategic shift. Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, were $5.1 million, representing a 66% decrease from $15.2 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to the phase out of the Alzheimer's disease development program, which concluded in Q2 2025. Cash reserves stood at $112.4 million as of June 30, 2025, which is intended to fund the advancement toward the planned H1 2026 clinical study start.

SavaDx, a diagnostic tool for early Alzheimer's detection via blood, remains a secondary asset. Its development is considered a lower priority program compared to the simufilam therapeutic pipeline. SavaDx is an early-stage product candidate designed to detect Alzheimer's disease using mass spectrometry to measure altered filamin A (FLNA) from a small blood sample, potentially years before clinical symptoms appear.

The historical context of SavaDx's target engagement is detailed below, showing its initial role in supporting the simufilam mechanism hypothesis:

The company's product portfolio is currently defined by one late-stage preclinical asset moving toward clinical trials and one early-stage diagnostic tool. The commitment to the TSC indication is supported by the plan to initiate a proof-of-concept trial in H1 2026, despite the FDA requesting additional information on the investigational new drug application for simufilam targeting TSC-related epilepsy as of December 2025. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA) - Marketing Mix: Place

The Place strategy for Cassava Sciences, Inc. is entirely dictated by its clinical-stage status, meaning distribution is currently focused on research execution rather than commercial sales.

The distribution channel is currently non-commercial, centered on advancing investigational product candidates through clinical development stages. This is evidenced by the recent phase-out of the Alzheimer's disease development program, which was completed in the second quarter of 2025. Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, were $4.0 million, a 78% decrease compared to the $17.7 million for the same period in 2024, reflecting this shift in focus away from late-stage commercial preparation for that indication.

A key element anchoring the current development and future commercialization pathway is a specific license agreement. Cassava Sciences, Inc. entered into a license agreement with Yale University effective February 26, 2025, granting exclusive worldwide rights for simufilam as a potential treatment for seizures related to rare neurodevelopmental disorders, with initial prioritization on Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-related epilepsy.

Future commercialization, should the product gain approval for these rare CNS disorders, will necessitate a specialized, high-touch distribution network. This is typical for rare disease treatments where patient populations are small and require coordinated care among specialized centers. The target indication, TSC-related epilepsy, affects approximately 50,000 people in the US, with epilepsy occurring in 84% of those patients.

The company's physical presence is established in Austin, Texas, with its principal offices located at 6801 North Capital of Texas Highway, Building 1, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78731. This central US location supports its global reach for clinical trial recruitment and operations. Cassava Sciences, Inc. holds patent protections in multiple geographic locations, including the US, Europe, Australia, Israel, Canada, and Japan.

The next critical milestone guiding the Place strategy is the initiation of the next-stage clinical work. Preparations are underway to initiate a proof-of-concept study for TSC-related epilepsy in the first half of 2026 (H1 2026).

The financial runway supports this clinical focus. Cassava Sciences, Inc. reported $106.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025, with an estimate of year-end 2025 cash between $92 to $96 million, expected to support operations into 2027. The minimum annual royalty payments under the Yale agreement are tiered, starting from the low- to mid-hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The company's current operational structure is lean, with 30 employees as of the third quarter of 2025.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA) - Marketing Mix: Promotion

You're looking at how Cassava Sciences, Inc. communicates its value proposition now that the Alzheimer's program is complete. Honestly, the promotion strategy is almost entirely focused on two areas: keeping investors informed and establishing scientific footing for the new Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) program.

The core of this communication centers on Investor Relations (IR) and rigorous scientific dissemination. Key communications are regulatory updates and financial reports designed to manage shareholder value and demonstrate financial stewardship. For instance, the Q3 2025 financial results and business update were released on November 12, 2025, providing shareholders with the latest figures.

The financial shift is stark and directly impacts the narrative you hear from the company. Research and development (R&D) expenses dropped 78% to $4.0 million in Q3 2025, a massive change from the $17.7 million reported in Q3 2024. This decrease is directly tied to the phase-out of the Alzheimer's disease development program, which concluded in the second quarter of 2025.

To build credibility for the new TSC program, Cassava Sciences is leaning heavily on scientific validation. They presented a poster at the TSC International Research Conference (TSC 2025) held June 26-28, 2025. This presentation detailed preclinical proof-of-concept showing simufilam reduced seizure frequency by 60% compared to vehicle in a mouse model. The company intends to follow this up with data and analyses in an upcoming scientific conference and publication.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses remain a significant component of spending, partly due to ongoing legal-related costs, though they did decrease year-over-year. Here's a quick look at the Q3 2025 figures that drive the IR messaging:

The G&A expense for the third quarter of 2025 was $7.9 million, down from $12.9 million in the prior year period. This 39% decrease was primarily due to a $2.5 million reduction in legal related costs compared to the prior year period. Still, the company maintains a substantial $31.25 million estimated loss contingency related to a potential securities litigation settlement recorded in Q2 2025, which is a key risk factor communicated to shareholders.

The overall communication strategy emphasizes financial runway and strategic focus, as evidenced by the reported cash position. You can see the key financial metrics that underpin the current shareholder narrative:

• Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2025: $106.1 million.
• Projected cash runway: Expected to support operations into 2027.
• Net loss for Q3 2025: $10.8 million, or $0.22 per share.
• Net cash used in operations (first nine months of 2025): $22.5 million.
• Total shares outstanding as of November 10, 2025: 48.3 million.

The company is actively managing expectations by highlighting the disciplined spending and the clear path forward. For example, the planned proof-of-concept study for simufilam in TSC-related epilepsy is scheduled to begin in H1 2026. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA) - Marketing Mix: Price

For Cassava Sciences, Inc., the concept of 'Price' in the traditional marketing mix is not applicable to a commercial product because the company is a pre-revenue entity. The focus shifts entirely to the financial metrics that underpin its ability to operate and bring its investigational treatments to market.

Wall Street analysts reflect this pre-commercial status in their revenue projections. On average, 4 Wall Street analysts forecast Cassava Sciences, Inc.'s revenue for 2025 to be $0. This zero revenue forecast is consistent across the analyst group, with the lowest and highest forecasts both being $0 for the year.

The true 'financial price' for Cassava Sciences, Inc. is best understood through its operational burn rate and its current liquidity position. These figures dictate the immediate financial pressure and the runway available for research and development activities.

The company's operational expenditure, or burn rate, for the first nine months of 2025 shows a net cash use of $22.5 million. This figure represents the capital consumed to fund ongoing operations before any potential revenue generation.

To manage this burn, Cassava Sciences, Inc. maintains a solid balance sheet as of late 2025. Cash and cash equivalents were reported at $106.1 million as of September 30, 2025. This cash position is estimated to support operations into 2027.

Here are the key financial metrics that serve as the company's current 'price' indicators:

• There is no product price; Cassava Sciences is a pre-revenue company.
• Wall Street analysts forecast 2025 revenue to be $0.
• The company's financial price is its burn rate and cash position.

You can see the key financial figures that define this operational cost structure below:

Also, it's worth noting the contingent liability that could impact future cash needs. Cassava Sciences, Inc. maintains a $31.25 million estimated loss contingency related to a potential settlement of certain securities litigation recorded in Q2 2025, though the payment timing is unclear. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.