SAGE-718

Sage Therapeutics' focus is on developing compounds that are positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of both synaptic and extrasynaptic sites of either the GABA receptor or the NMDA receptor system.
The companies second area of focus is on the NMDA receptor with SAGE-718. SAGE-217 targets the GABA receptor, SAGE-718 targets the NMDA receptor. The company is currently in phase 1 testing with oral drug SAGE-718.
The unique position the company finds itself in, is unlike SAGE-217 which primarily targets depression, SAGE-718 will target different indications with zero overlap. Within NMDA hypofunction the company is targeting indications such as Huntington’s, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s disease, potentially creating another very large revenue stream in the future. The company has SAGE-904 which also target’s the NMDA receptor and is in pre-clinical studies.

The patent for SAGE-718 from the company’s 10K below.

We also own twenty families of applications directed to modulators of NMDA receptors. Fifteen of these families of patent applications are directed to compounds that modulate NMDA receptors, including SAGE-718, which can be used to treat NMDA receptor-related disorders such as CNS-related conditions. One of these families of patent applications is directed to using a naturally occurring compound as a biomarker for a subject who would benefit from treatment with a modulator of NMDA receptors. One of these families of patent applications is directed to using a modulator of NMDA receptors to treat a rare NMDA loss of function disorder. Any patents that may issue, if any, from these families of applications directed to modulators of NMDA receptors would have statutory expiration dates in September 2032 and October 2037.

SAGE-217 Gets Expedited Development - $175.76

Very good news from SAGE Therapeutics this morning. The FDA has agreed to give SAGE Therapeutics an expedited pathway for oral drug SAGE-217 for the indications of Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Below is copied directly from the press release this morning.

• Expedited SAGE-217 development plan to support potential NDA submission for MDD and PPD together
•  Previously completed placebo-controlled study in MDD considered as pivotal; initiation of one additional Phase 3 pivotal trial anticipated in 2H of 2018  
• Ongoing study in PPD designated as pivotal; results expected in 4Q 2018
• If successfully developed, SAGE-217 has the potential to be the first durable, rapid-acting, oral, short-course treatment for MDD and PPD

The second half of 2018 will be packed with clinical trial data for PPD and MDD. SAGE-217 is an oral once daily delivered drug with patent to April 2034. Thank you for reading.

Brexanolone for Postpartum Depression Submital to the FDA - $145.29

Today, SAGE Therapeutics announced the submittal of a New Drug Application to the FDA for approval of Brexanolone for Postpartum Depression. There is not an FDA approved drug to treat this indication, so this could potentially be the first. I am expecting six months to approval or around October 23, 2018. The company achieved their goal of submittal to the FDA during the first half of 2018 comfortably. The patent for Brexanolone runs to 2034. Thank you for reading.

SAGE Therapeutics Market Capitalization in Charts - $183.47

Sage Therapeutics - (SAGE) has a CNS drug with a unique fast acting mechanism of action, that has led the company to a current $7.41 billion dollar market capitalization. Previous writing's  about the company can be found here SAGE. Below is a market capitalization chart of SAGE, at certain stock prices.

The current market capitalization of the company is around $7.41 billion. We see SAGE reaching a $10 billion market cap ($240.00) in the near future based solely on their current pipeline, potentially reaching a $15 billion market cap ($361.00) on further success for SAGE-217 in other indications, and potential buyout of the company. The patent for SAGE-217 and SAGE-547 run to 2034. Thank you for reading.

Contact: 586-431-8000

SAGE-217 Patent Issued

SAGE-217 was issued patent number US 9,512,165 B2, which runs to April 2034.  The link to other patent applications can be found here SAGE Patent Applications.  SAGE-217 is the oral version of SAGE-547, and will be running four proof-of-concept, phase 2 clinical trials in 2017.  Thank you for reading.                

SAGE-547 Expedited Pathway Revealed

We initially wrote about Sage here, SAGE-547.  This week SAGE revealed through this press release Sage Therapeutics, the expedited pathway for drug SAGE-547 for Postpartum Depression.  The important news was that the FDA in agreement with Sage, anticipates that no additional controlled studies will be necessary to file an NDA.  The company believes that they may be able to file for a new drug application for Postpartum Depression in 2018.  If approved by the end of 2019, the company will have patent until around 2034, or approximately 15 years of exclusivity.  Below are the important aspects of the expedited pathway for SAGE-547, agreed upon by the FDA.

• Current SAGE-547 clinical studies confirmed as appropriate to support registration, if successful
• No additional efficacy studies expected to be required beyond those currently underway
• Trial design of studies 202B and 202C are considered appropriate for registration, with increase in size and other minor modifications
• The primary clinical endpoint for these pivotal trials was unchanged and agree upon with FDA
• Additional patient safety data may be acquired through an open-label program

Below is a year-to-date chart of SAGE.  Despite the company having an extraordinary year with SAGE-547 the stock is down -4.49% this year.  The company currently has $431 million in cash, or about $13.00 per share in cash.  

Source: Shaw Investments, StockCharts.com

Thank you for reading.                

SAGE-217

The future pipeline will be more dependent upon SAGE-217, which is built around the same premise as SAGE-547, but as a once daily oral delivery. 
The company describes SAGE-217 as "a novel neuroactive steroid that acts as a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic and extra-synaptic GABAa receptor subtypes.  Unlike many of the naturally occurring neuroactive steroids, SAGE-217 has a pharmacokinetic profile to potentially support once-daily oral dosing and a selectivity profile that minimizes potential off-target side effects." 

Patents: SAGE-217 to April 2034

Bottom Line:
Sage Therapeutics is an interesting company with plenty of cash and a very successful phase 2 clinical trial completed.  The future will be focused on their oral, once daily SAGE-217.  Thank you for reading. 

SAGE-547 for Postpartum Depression

Sage Therapeutics (SAGE) stock soared higher by 37% on the companies phase 2 data release, for the indication of severe Postpartum Depression or PPD.  SAGE-547 has a differentiated mechanism of action (moa), and clean safety profile.  From their press release today.  

"SAGE-547 achieved primary objective with a significant reduction in HAM-D total score compared to placebo at 60 hours (p=0.008).  Baseline mean HAM-D scores were severe (28.1 for SAGE-547; 28.8 for Placebo), SAGE-547 showed reduction in HAM-D of greater than 20 points at 60 hours.  Improvement was 12 points greater vs. placebo.  Improvement maintained through 30-day follow-up (p=0.01)."

Quick Facts:
Shares Out 32M
Market Cap:  $1.2b
Cash:  150m
Patent:  2034

These results in PPD, signal the potential for other CNS uses.  SAGE-547 works very rapidly, and maintained the results through the 30 day follow-up period.  Thank you for reading.