An experimental pill from Sage Therapeutics that aimed to treat depression more rapidly than existing drugs failed its first large study in patients in major depression, a significant setback for the firm.
The drug, called SAGE-217, did not show a statistically significant, anti-depressive benefit compared with a placebo.
Patients on the 30-milligram dose of the drug saw their scores on a measure known as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale drop 12.6 points over 15 days, compared to a decrease of 11.2 points for those on placebo.
