First patient dosed in Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of SAGE-217 in Parkinson’s disease
Trial sites are open and screening patients for the Phase 2a trial in essential tremor; patients expected to be dosed imminently
CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I December 13, 2016 I Sage Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SAGE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines to treat life-altering central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the initiation of Phase 2 clinical development of SAGE-217, a novel, internally-developed, next generation oral GABAA receptor modulator that Sage is developing in both mood and movement disorders. Dosing has now been initiated in the first of two movement disorder indications. Patients are receiving SAGE-217 in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in Parkinson’s disease. In addition, trial sites are open and screening patients for a Phase 2a trial in essential tremor. Patients in this trial are expected to be dosed imminently. Top-line results from the Part A open-label study in Parkinson’s disease are expected in the first half of 2017 and the essential tremor study is anticipated to report results in the second half of 2017. The Company also plans to initiate Phase 2 clinical trials of SAGE-217 in two mood disorders – major depressive disorder (MDD) and postpartum depression (PPD).
“Sage continues to pioneer innovative approaches to neuroscience drug development in CNS indications with high unmet need where we can redefine treatment paradigms,” said Jeff Jonas, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Sage. “The SAGE-217 clinical program is an excellent example of this approach. The initiation of mid-stage trials of our novel, proprietary oral compound is a significant corporate milestone and a credit to our talented team of translational chemists, and clinical and regulatory leaders.”
“Administering the first dose of SAGE-217 in a proof-of-concept study in Parkinson’s disease and the initiation of SAGE-217 in essential tremor illustrate major progress in Sage’s effort to address the serious need for additional effective treatments for these movement disorders and in building our multi-product, neuropsych portfolio,” said Steve Kanes, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sage. “SAGE-217 is one of several product candidates that Sage is developing to target the GABAA receptor system. Dysfunction in this system is thought to be at the core of numerous psychiatric and neurological disorders including essential tremor and both the motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.”
The essential tremor study is a Phase 2a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study that will evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SAGE-217 in approximately 60 patients with essential tremor. The primary endpoint of the study is to compare the effect of one week of SAGE-217 on overall kinetic tremor symptoms. Secondary endpoints include additional accelerometer-derived and clinician-rated rating scales.
The Parkinson’s disease program is a two-part Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of SAGE-217 in moderate Parkinson’s disease patients. Part A of the Phase 2 trial will be an open-label, proof-of-concept study evaluating SAGE-217 in approximately 18 patients which, if promising, may lead to a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial. The primary endpoint for the Part A study will be to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SAGE-217. The secondary endpoint will be to evaluate improvement in motor symptoms as assessed by the change from baseline after one week in the Movement Disorder Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part 3 (Motor Examination) total score.
About SAGE-217
SAGE-217 is a next generation positive allosteric modulator that has been optimized for selectivity to synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA receptors and a pharmacokinetic profile intended for daily oral dosing. The GABA system is the major inhibitory signaling pathway of the brain and CNS, and contributes significantly to regulating CNS function. In a Phase 1 clinical program, SAGE-217 was well-tolerated in single and multiple ascending doses and the results were consistent with the predicted pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic profile. SAGE-217 is currently being developed for certain mood and movement disorders. A Phase 2 clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease is ongoing and initiation of dosing in the essential tremor study is pending. Phase 2 clinical trials in postpartum depression and major depressive disorder are planned.
About Essential Tremor
Essential tremor is a common neurological condition that affects an estimated 6 to 7 million in the U.S.1 Essential tremor causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. Symptoms generally evolve over time and are both visible and persistent following onset, which commonly occurs either between 15-20 or 50-70 years of age. First-line treatments for essential tremor include the anticonvulsant primidone and the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol. Current treatments for essential tremor are only moderately effective, reducing, though not resolving, tremor amplitudes in about 50% of patients. In addition, one out of three patients abandons treatment due to side effects or poor efficacy.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects an estimated 700,000 patients in the U.S.2 and causes impairment of motor function, including impaired movement, muscle stiffness and tremors as well as non-motor symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and gastrointestinal disorders. Symptoms generally become more pronounced over time, and the average age of Parkinson’s diagnosis is 60 years of age. First-line treatments for Parkinson’s disease include combination levodopa/carbidopa therapy. Current treatments for Parkinson’s disease are only moderately effective in reducing symptoms in the early stages of the disease, and patients become less responsive to treatment as the disease progresses. Thus, there is a growing need for innovative new treatments to prevent, delay onset or alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
About Sage Therapeutics
Sage Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel medicines to transform the lives of patients with life-altering central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Sage has a portfolio of novel product candidates targeting critical CNS receptor systems, GABA and NMDA. Sage’s lead program, SAGE-547, is in Phase 3 clinical development for super-refractory status epilepticus, a rare and severe seizure disorder, and for postpartum depression. Sage is developing its next generation modulators, including SAGE-217 and SAGE-718, with a focus on acute and chronic CNS disorders. For more information, please visit www.sagerx.com.
SOURCE: Sage Therapeutics
Post Views: 1,529
First patient dosed in Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of SAGE-217 in Parkinson’s disease
Trial sites are open and screening patients for the Phase 2a trial in essential tremor; patients expected to be dosed imminently
CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I December 13, 2016 I Sage Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SAGE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines to treat life-altering central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the initiation of Phase 2 clinical development of SAGE-217, a novel, internally-developed, next generation oral GABAA receptor modulator that Sage is developing in both mood and movement disorders. Dosing has now been initiated in the first of two movement disorder indications. Patients are receiving SAGE-217 in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in Parkinson’s disease. In addition, trial sites are open and screening patients for a Phase 2a trial in essential tremor. Patients in this trial are expected to be dosed imminently. Top-line results from the Part A open-label study in Parkinson’s disease are expected in the first half of 2017 and the essential tremor study is anticipated to report results in the second half of 2017. The Company also plans to initiate Phase 2 clinical trials of SAGE-217 in two mood disorders – major depressive disorder (MDD) and postpartum depression (PPD).
“Sage continues to pioneer innovative approaches to neuroscience drug development in CNS indications with high unmet need where we can redefine treatment paradigms,” said Jeff Jonas, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Sage. “The SAGE-217 clinical program is an excellent example of this approach. The initiation of mid-stage trials of our novel, proprietary oral compound is a significant corporate milestone and a credit to our talented team of translational chemists, and clinical and regulatory leaders.”
“Administering the first dose of SAGE-217 in a proof-of-concept study in Parkinson’s disease and the initiation of SAGE-217 in essential tremor illustrate major progress in Sage’s effort to address the serious need for additional effective treatments for these movement disorders and in building our multi-product, neuropsych portfolio,” said Steve Kanes, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sage. “SAGE-217 is one of several product candidates that Sage is developing to target the GABAA receptor system. Dysfunction in this system is thought to be at the core of numerous psychiatric and neurological disorders including essential tremor and both the motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.”
The essential tremor study is a Phase 2a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study that will evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SAGE-217 in approximately 60 patients with essential tremor. The primary endpoint of the study is to compare the effect of one week of SAGE-217 on overall kinetic tremor symptoms. Secondary endpoints include additional accelerometer-derived and clinician-rated rating scales.
The Parkinson’s disease program is a two-part Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of SAGE-217 in moderate Parkinson’s disease patients. Part A of the Phase 2 trial will be an open-label, proof-of-concept study evaluating SAGE-217 in approximately 18 patients which, if promising, may lead to a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial. The primary endpoint for the Part A study will be to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SAGE-217. The secondary endpoint will be to evaluate improvement in motor symptoms as assessed by the change from baseline after one week in the Movement Disorder Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part 3 (Motor Examination) total score.
About SAGE-217
SAGE-217 is a next generation positive allosteric modulator that has been optimized for selectivity to synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA receptors and a pharmacokinetic profile intended for daily oral dosing. The GABA system is the major inhibitory signaling pathway of the brain and CNS, and contributes significantly to regulating CNS function. In a Phase 1 clinical program, SAGE-217 was well-tolerated in single and multiple ascending doses and the results were consistent with the predicted pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic profile. SAGE-217 is currently being developed for certain mood and movement disorders. A Phase 2 clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease is ongoing and initiation of dosing in the essential tremor study is pending. Phase 2 clinical trials in postpartum depression and major depressive disorder are planned.
About Essential Tremor
Essential tremor is a common neurological condition that affects an estimated 6 to 7 million in the U.S.1 Essential tremor causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. Symptoms generally evolve over time and are both visible and persistent following onset, which commonly occurs either between 15-20 or 50-70 years of age. First-line treatments for essential tremor include the anticonvulsant primidone and the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol. Current treatments for essential tremor are only moderately effective, reducing, though not resolving, tremor amplitudes in about 50% of patients. In addition, one out of three patients abandons treatment due to side effects or poor efficacy.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects an estimated 700,000 patients in the U.S.2 and causes impairment of motor function, including impaired movement, muscle stiffness and tremors as well as non-motor symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and gastrointestinal disorders. Symptoms generally become more pronounced over time, and the average age of Parkinson’s diagnosis is 60 years of age. First-line treatments for Parkinson’s disease include combination levodopa/carbidopa therapy. Current treatments for Parkinson’s disease are only moderately effective in reducing symptoms in the early stages of the disease, and patients become less responsive to treatment as the disease progresses. Thus, there is a growing need for innovative new treatments to prevent, delay onset or alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
About Sage Therapeutics
Sage Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel medicines to transform the lives of patients with life-altering central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Sage has a portfolio of novel product candidates targeting critical CNS receptor systems, GABA and NMDA. Sage’s lead program, SAGE-547, is in Phase 3 clinical development for super-refractory status epilepticus, a rare and severe seizure disorder, and for postpartum depression. Sage is developing its next generation modulators, including SAGE-217 and SAGE-718, with a focus on acute and chronic CNS disorders. For more information, please visit www.sagerx.com.
SOURCE: Sage Therapeutics
Post Views: 1,529
