Sage Therapeutics' lead antidepressant brexanolone generated positive results in two phase III trials for postpartum depression, and a next-generation candidate with similar properties passed a smaller phase II trial for major depressive disorder.

Brexanolone is an intravenous formulation of the steroid allopregnanolone, which is thought to affect mood by acting as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor. In November, two phase III trials of the drug in 226 women with postpartum depression met the primary end point of reduction of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores at 60 hours. Treatment reduced HAM-D scores by 14–20 points, compared to reductions of 12–14 points by placebo.

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