Shares in SAGE Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SAGE) skyrocketed in premarket trading on Thursday after the biotech’s depression drug aced a mid-stage trial.
In a statement, the Massachusetts-based group said 64% of patients taking its SAGE-217 drug saw their major depressive disorder (MDD) go into remission within 15 days of treatment.
Patients were assessed on a scale that rated the severity of their depression symptoms such as mood, feelings of guilt, suicidal thoughts and insomnia.
Shares gained 79.9% to US$165.30 in premarket trade on Thursday, leaving the firm on course to add around US$2.5bn to its market value.SAGE Therapeutics Stock is on Fire ! ????+74% ✅ #Stocks #Hedgefunds $SAGE ???? #MasteringTheTrade #Risk_Taker pic.twitter.com/iQ5SNq7liB
— Babylonian Trader (@BlankfeinJunior) December 7, 2017
“These very encouraging data suggest the potential of SAGE-217 in the treatment of MDD as well as other mood-related disorders that we may pursue,” said Jeff Jonas, Sage’s chief executive.
“The positive activity and safety findings of SAGE-217 in MDD support advancing the program into later stage clinical development and we will work with the FDA to determine next steps in the further development of SAGE-217.”
It’s Sage’s second success in as many months. Back in November the company said its brexanolone postpartum depression drug met its main goal in two late-stage studies, pacing the way for the first FDA-approved treatment for the disorder.
According to Reuters, Sage won’t seek to partner with another company for the phase III trial.
In the regular session, shares added over 76% to US$162.22 each.