MetaCap

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) vs Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS) has outperformed ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) over the past year, gaining 7.6% versus a loss of 8.8%. Over five years, TARS leads with a +158.1% price change compared with +12.2% for ACAD. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($3.35 billion vs $3.34 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+146.7% vs +11.9%).

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 36.5% versus -14.7%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ACAD-8.77%TARS+7.59%
+45%+12%-21%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
ACAD+16.07%TARS+199.47%
+286%+107%-71%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ACAD versus TARS key metrics
MetricACADTARS
Share price$19.42$71.48
Market cap$3.35B$3.34B
1-day change-1.19%-2.90%
YTD return-26.43%-10.10%
1-year return-8.77%+7.59%
5-year return+12.22%+158.10%
P/E ratio (TTM)8.71—
Forward P/E21.85—
EPS (TTM)$2.23$-1.08
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$1.07B$451.36M
Revenue growth (YoY)+11.87%+146.71%
Net income (latest FY)$391.00M$-66.42M
Gross margin91.69%—
Operating margin9.78%-15.72%
Net margin36.49%-14.72%
52-week high$30.96$91.53
52-week low$19.32$53.89
Distance from 52-week high-37.29%-21.91%
Analyst consensusbuystrong_buy
Avg. price target upside+65.64%+39.21%
Average volume1.84M894.35K
Shares outstanding172.31M46.79M
Employees796370
SectorHealth CareHealth Care
IndustryBiotechnology: Pharmaceutical PreparationsBiotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances)

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • TARS has outperformed ACAD by 16.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 36.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -14.7 cents for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals.
  • Tarsus Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+146.71% vs +11.87%).

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

ACAD stock →

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of medicines for neurological and rare disease in North America. The company offers NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), a selective serotonin inverse agonist/antagonist for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis; and DAYBUE, a novel synthetic analog of the amino-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor 1 to treat the symptoms of Rett syndrome by reducing neuroinflammation and supporting synaptic function.

Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 796 employees

About Tarsus Pharmaceuticals

TARS stock →

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of therapeutic candidates for eye care in the United States. The company offers XDEMVY, a lotilaner ophthalmic solution for the treatment of demodex blepharitis caused by the infestation of Demodex mites.

Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 370 employees

ACAD vs TARS FAQ

Which is bigger, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals or Tarsus Pharmaceuticals?

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.35B compared with $3.34B for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACAD or TARS?

TARS returned +7.59% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.77% for ACAD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Are ACADIA Pharmaceuticals and Tarsus Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?

Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals.

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