Sage Therapeutics Announces Wholesale Cost of Zuranolone, $15,900

On November 7, 2023, Sage Therapeutics, the manufacturer of ZURZUVAE (zuranolone), announced that the wholesale acquisition cost of the postpartum depression drug would be $15,900 for a 14-day treatment cycle. The drug, which was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2023, has effectively treated severe postpartum depression.

“It has been an exciting time at Sage as we prepare for the upcoming commercial launch of ZURZUVAE, the first and only oral treatment specifically indicated for adults with postpartum depression. Women with PPD are waiting for new treatment options, and we have an incredible opportunity to support them. Our goal is to make ZURZUVAE available later this year and to enable broad and equitable access for women with PPD who are prescribed this drug,” said Barry Greene, Chief Executive Officer at Sage Therapeutics, in the press release.

Sage developed the drug in collaboration with Biogen to develop an alternative to existing postpartum depression treatments. The medication, SAGE-217/BIIB125, is a neuroactive steroid (NAS) GABA-A receptor-positive allosteric modulator (PAM). It is an oral medication taken once a day for two weeks.

On July 26, 2023, the American Journal of Psychiatry published the results of a clinical trial that proved zuranolone could alleviate postpartum depression symptoms. Among 170 patients who completed the clinical trial, those taking zuranolone had reduced depressive symptoms, represented by an average 15.6-point decline in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Comparatively, those in the control group only reduced their HAM-D scores by 11.6 points.

Based on those clinical trial results and supporting data, the FDA approved zuranolone on August 4, 2023.

Many psychiatrists and reproductive mental health experts were impressed and excited about the prospect of a new postpartum depression treatment. However, they also had concerns about accessibility and affordability.

“I have concerns right off the bat that zuranolone may be inaccessible to many populations in need of it, particularly those not receiving specialized care in other areas,” Sarah Oreck, MD, a reproductive psychiatrist and co-founder of Mavida Health, told LifeSciencesIntelligence in an interview earlier this year.

Although the drug’s wholesale cost is extremely expensive, the press release notes that untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can cost roughly double per mother–child pair. In addition, the company maintains that they are doing their best to make the drug available at a minimal cost to patients.