Sage shares surge on success of post-partum depression drug trial

Sage Therapeutics (SAGE) soared on Tuesday following the successful phase 2 clinical trial of its SAGE-547 drug for treating severe postpartum depression.

The drug offers a potential cure for postpartum depression, which affects one in seven women according to the American Psychological Association. Symptoms of postpartum depression range from anxiety and sadness, to a loss of pleasure or interest in things that mothers typically enjoy. There are few treatments available beyond psychotherapy and antidepressants.

The phase 2 trials showed patients taking the drug had a statistically bigger reduction in symptoms than those taking a placebo.

According to the company, those involved in the trial needed to have had a major depressive episode that began no earlier than the third trimester and no later than the first four weeks following delivery. They also needed to be less than six months postpartum at the time of enrollment.

“This is potentially one of the most important clinical findings in the pharmacologic treatment of postpartum depression to date,” said Samantha Meltzer-Brody, M.D., M.P.H and Associate Professor and Director of the UNC Perinatal Psychiatry Program of the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders and primary investigator for the drug trial, in a release announcing the results of the trial.

“The rapid onset of action of this drug observed in the trial is unlike anything else available in the field to date. The data show the potential of the drug to provide relief from the debilitating symptoms of PPD, and to markedly decrease suffering in women who are severely affected.”

Sage shares closed up 37%, or $12.56, at $46.21. The stock traded as high as $49.89 during the session.

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