Biogen-Sage Therapeutics postpartum depression pill priced at $15,900

[November 08, 2023]  By Khushi Mandowara

(Reuters) -Sage Therapeutics has priced the oral postpartum depression (PPD) pill it developed with partner Biogen at $15,900 for a full 14-day course of treatment, the company said on Tuesday, months after the drug was approved by the U.S. health regulator.

The companies had sought U.S. approval for Zurzuvae to treat clinical depression, a much larger market, and postpartum depression, but the Food and Drug Administration in August approved it only for PPD.

Zurzuvae is the first oral pill for the condition that affects one in seven mothers after childbirth. The intravenous PDD treatment Zulresso, also made by Sage, costs $34,000 a year.

At least two analysts said the wholesale acquisition price of $15,900 for the course of treatment with Zurzuvae was below their expectations.

Piper Sandler analyst Yasmeen Rahimi said the expected price, along with Sage's other efforts for marketing the drug, has helped garner patient enthusiasm and point towards a successful launch.

Sage and Biogen are actively engaging with insurers to make the treatment available to eligible women with minimal restrictions, Sage said.

Biogen logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Zurzuvae is expected to be commercially available for adults with PPD in December, it added.

PPD severely alters patients' ability to return to normal functioning and could potentially hurt the mother's relationship with her child.

Jefferies had estimated peak sales of more than $1 billion for the drug if it was approved to treat clinical depression, and $250 million to $500 million for postpartum depression.

(Reporting by Khushi Mandowara in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Shailesh Kuber)

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