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'We are excited about the potential to bring together Biogen's leading capabilities in neuroscience with Sage's deep expertise in psychiatry,' said
'With the recent and pending data outputs for zuranolone and SAGE-324, the timing is right for a collaboration between two like-minded companies committed to patients and driven by a passion for neuroscience and brain health,' said
Zuranolone, a potential first-in-class, two-week, once-daily oral therapy in development for the treatment of MDD and PPD, is currently in Phase 3 development as part of the LANDSCAPE and NEST clinical programs. Zuranolone has breakthrough therapy designation from the
The vision for zuranolone in MDD and PPD is based on its potential, being evaluated in the LANDSCAPE and NEST development programs, to work rapidly and to continue providing sustained benefit beyond the period of dosing. Together, these two features, if supported by positive clinical efficacy and safety data, could provide an alternative option to how depression is treated today based on a target profile of an 'as-needed' short course of treatment for a depressive episode, with rapid and sustained efficacy and favorable tolerability. The development of an 'as-needed' treatment for depression may help ease the difficulties associated with chronic use of antidepressants and may enhance quality of life and patient adherence.
An estimated 17 million Americans experience symptoms of MDD each year. Additionally, a
Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode that can occur during pregnancy or postpartum and is one of the most common medical complications during and after pregnancy. In the
If approved, zuranolone would also be highly complementary to several of Biogen's therapeutic areas of focus, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Depression is a common co-morbidity in patients with these neurological disorders and their caregivers. Biogen estimates that 50 percent of patients with MS, 40 percent of patients with AD, 50 percent of patients with PD, 30 percent of patients with ALS and 60 percent of SMA caregivers experience depression. In addition, many patients with AD see psychiatrists as part of their diagnostic and/or treatment journey.
Zuranolone is a next-generation positive allosteric modulator of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor. The GABAA system is the major inhibitory signaling pathway of the brain and central nervous system (CNS), and contributes significantly to regulating CNS function. This mechanism of action is a novel approach that may enable a new class of antidepressants.
To date, two positive pivotal studies have been completed with zuranolone 30 mg, one in MDD (MDD-201) and one in PPD (ROBIN Study). Additionally, while the Phase 3 MOUNTAIN Study of zuranolone in MDD did not meet its primary endpoint, the encouraging data from the recently announced MOUNTAIN six-month follow-up period and the topline interim SHORELINE Study analysis, suggest the potential for zuranolone, if successfully developed and approved, to be uniquely positioned as a disruptive, distinct and novel treatment approach for patients. Biogen and Sage believe that zuranolone is clinically active in MDD based on the data compiled to date and look forward to planned data readouts in 2021.
Sage is pursuing three development pathways for zuranolone in the
Upon closing of the transaction, Biogen and Sage will collaborate to further define the development and commercialization strategy for zuranolone. Beyond PPD and MDD, zuranolone may also have potential in other psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
SAGE-324 is a next-generation positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors in Phase 2 development for essential tremor with potential in other neurological conditions such as epilepsy and PD. Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders estimated to affect over six million patients in the
Terms of the Collaboration
The strategic collaboration is global in scope and under the terms of the agreement, Sage will receive
Should the zuranolone and SAGE-324 programs achieve certain development and commercial milestones, Sage will be eligible to receive up to approximately
Biogen and Sage will share responsibility and costs for development as well as profits and losses for commercialization in the
Closing of the transaction is contingent on completion of review under antitrust laws, including the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in the
About Biogen
At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by
About
Biogen Safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the potential benefits and results that may be achieved through Biogen's proposed collaboration with Sage; the anticipated completion and timing of the proposed transaction; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of zuranolone and SAGE-324; the clinical development program and data readouts for zuranolone and SAGE-324; the potential treatment of depression, including MDD and PPD, essential tremor and other neurological disorders; the potential of Biogen's commercial business and pipeline programs; Biogen's strategy and plans; risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization and Biogen's future financial and operating results. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as 'aim,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'possible,' 'will,' 'would' and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data presented.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including, without limitation: risks that the proposed transaction will not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the possibility that certain closing conditions to the proposed transaction will not be satisfied; uncertainty as to whether the anticipated benefits of the proposed collaboration can be achieved; risks of unexpected hurdles, costs or delays; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of zuranolone and SAGE-324, which may be impacted by, among other things, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis, the occurrence of adverse safety events, failure to obtain regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions, failure to protect and enforce data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; product liability claims; third party collaboration risks and the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Biogen's business, results of operations and financial condition. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen's expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement as well as the risks factors identified in Biogen's most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the
Sage Therapeutics Safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to: the potential benefits and results that may be achieved through Sage's proposed collaboration with Biogen; the anticipated completion of the proposed transaction; the anticipated payments that may be received if all milestones under the agreement with Biogen are met; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of zuranolone and SAGE-324, and the potential of the product candidates, if successful, to change the way certain diseases and disorders are treated; the planned clinical development program and expected timing of data readouts for zuranolone and SAGE-324; the potential for successful development and approval of zuranolone and SAGE-324 and the potential for future commercialization; estimates as to the number of patients with MDD, PPD and essential tremor and the goals, opportunity and potential for Sage's business. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Sage's views only as of today, and should not be relied upon as representing Sage's views as of any subsequent date. We explicitly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
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