CAMBRIDGE - Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAGE) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ZURZUVAETM (zuranolone) 50 mg for adults with postpartum depression (PPD).

ZURZUVAE is the first and only oral, once-daily, 14-day treatment that can provide rapid improvements in depressive symptoms for women with PPD. ZURZUVAE is expected to launch and be commercially available in the fourth quarter of 2023 shortly following scheduling as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which is anticipated to occur within 90 days.

Additionally, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for the New Drug Application (NDA) for zuranolone in the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The CRL stated that the application did not provide substantial evidence of effectiveness to support the approval of zuranolone for the treatment of MDD and that an additional study or studies will be needed. Sage and Biogen are reviewing the feedback and evaluating next steps.

'Maternal mental health has been sidelined for far too long, but today's approval of ZURZUVAE helps to change that. Women have been waiting for an oral medicine that can specifically and rapidly improve the symptoms of PPD and we are proud to be able to deliver that,' said Barry Greene, Chief Executive Officer at Sage Therapeutics. 'In regard to the CRL for MDD, we are highly disappointed for patients, particularly amid the current mental health crisis and millions of people with MDD struggling to find symptom relief. We remain committed to our mission to deliver life-changing brain health medicines.'

'The approval of ZURZUVAE to treat postpartum depression is a major milestone for the hundreds of thousands of women who experience this underdiagnosed and undertreated condition,' said Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer at Biogen. 'We appreciate the support of patients, patient advocates and researchers who helped to reach this milestone. We believe that ZURZUVAE will be an important option to treat PPD and we will thoroughly review the feedback from the FDA on the use of zuranolone in MDD to determine next steps.'

The approval of ZURZUVAE to treat women with PPD is based on the NEST clinical development program, which included two studies in adult women with PPD (ROBIN and SKYLARK Studies). Both studies met their primary endpoint, a significant mean reduction from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) total score, a common measure of depression severity, at Day 15 as compared to placebo. In the SKYLARK Study evaluating ZURZUVAE 50 mg, all key secondary endpoints were met, with significant reduction in depressive symptoms seen as early as Day 3 and sustained through Day 45. ZURZUVAE was generally well-tolerated with a consistent safety profile across both studies. The most common side effects >5% and greater than placebo in patients treated with ZURZUVAE 50 mg were somnolence, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue and urinary tract infection. The labeling includes a boxed warning that instructs healthcare providers to advise people that ZURZUVAE causes driving impairment due to central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. People who take ZURZUVAE should not drive a motor vehicle or engage in other potentially hazardous activities that require complete mental alertness until at least 12 hours after ZURZUVAE administration for the duration of the 14-day treatment course. Patients may not be able to assess their own degree of impairment.

'Today marks a groundbreaking day for the treatment of PPD, as with ZURZUVAE we now have an oral treatment option that can provide rapid improvements in depressive symptoms in as early as three days for women with PPD,' said Dr. Kristina Deligiannidis, a principal investigator in the ZURZUVAE clinical development program and Professor, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York. 'As a perinatal psychiatrist, I see the devastating impact PPD has on mothers particularly on the important mother-infant bond and long-term child development. Once available, I believe ZURZUVAE will be a meaningful option for patients in need.'

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health conditions are the leading cause of maternal mortality1 with PPD among the most common complications during and after pregnancy.2 In the U.S., it is estimated approximately 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of PPD.3 Approximately half of all PPD cases may go undiagnosed without appropriate screening.4,5 Research shows only 15.8% of women with PPD symptoms receive treatment.6 PPD symptoms may persist beyond the postpartum period and can lead to prolonged maternal morbidity.7-9 Symptoms of PPD can include depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep patterns and appetite, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, trouble concentrating and in some cases thoughts of suicide.9

'Today's approval is welcome news for the estimated 500,000 women in the United States who report experiencing symptoms of this devastating and often misunderstood illness each year,' said Wendy N. Davis, Ph.D., PMH-C, Executive Director at Postpartum Support International. 'Women with PPD desperately need prompt care and additional treatment options that can provide quick relief so they can be healthy and present during this momentous time in their lives.'

About ZURZUVAETM (zuranolone)

ZURZUVAE is a once-daily, oral, 14-day medicine for the treatment of adults with postpartum depression (PPD). ZURZUVAE is a neuroactive steroid (NAS) GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM). The GABA system is the major inhibitory signaling pathway of the brain and central nervous system and contributes to regulating brain function.

About Sage Therapeutics

Sage Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company fearlessly leading the way to create a world with better brain health. Our mission is to pioneer solutions to deliver life-changing brain health medicines, so every person can thrive.

About Biogen

Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading global biotechnology company that has pioneered multiple breakthrough innovations including a broad portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and two co-developed treatments to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Biogen is advancing a pipeline of potential novel therapies across neurology, neuropsychiatry, specialized immunology and rare diseases and remains acutely focused on its purpose of serving humanity through science while advancing a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world.

Biogen Safe Harbor

This news release contains forward-looking statements, relating to the potential, benefits, safety and efficacy of ZURZUVAE; our next steps in the regulatory process with respect to zuranolone for the treatment of MDD; the potential benefit, safety and efficacy of ZURZUVAE in the treatment of adults with MDD, if approved; the potential of Biogen's commercial business and pipeline programs, including ZURZUVAE; the anticipated benefits and potential of Biogen's collaboration arrangement with Sage and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as 'aim,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' '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, uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of ZURZUVAE for PPD, and if approved, for MDD; uncertainty with respect to the regulatory pathway for zuranolone for the treatment of MDD; uncertainty as to whether additional studies will be required with respect of zuranolone for the treatment of MDD; unexpected concerns may arise from additional data, analysis or results of clinical studies of zuranolone; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen's drug candidates, including zuranolone for the treatment of MDD; the occurrence of adverse safety events; the risks of other unexpected hurdles, costs or delays; 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 COVID-19 on our 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 risk factors identified in Biogen's most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Tel: +1 781 464 3260

Email: public.affairs@biogen.com

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