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Investors Business Daily
Investors Business Daily
Technology
ALLISON GATLIN

Axsome Therapeutics Just Took Its Key Moving Averages — Here's Why

The Food and Drug Administration could be nearing a decision on Axsome Therapeutics' depression treatment, and AXSM stock rocketed past two key moving averages Monday.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Axsome said the FDA had provided it with revised proposed labeling for its depression drug, now known as AXS-05.

"We view this announcement as good news and a significant step forward," Mizuho Securities analyst Vamil Divan said in a report to clients. "Label negotiation typically takes place at the end of the review process. As such, the FDA decision on AXS-05 could be imminent."

AXSM stock soared 51.4% to 37.03 on today's stock market. Shares leapt over their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, according to MarketSmith.com.

AXSM Stock: Modulating Glutamate

Axsome's drug interacts with receptors in the brain to modulate a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Current thinking is abnormal levels of glutamate can lead to depression.

This month, Axsome said treatment with AXS-05 significantly reduced depression symptoms in a final-phase study. Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is present in up to three-quarters of patients with major depressive disorder.

In the study, Axsome's drug led to a "rapid, substantial and statistically significant improvement in symptoms of anhedonia compared with placebo."

At the time, the news sent AXSM stock up more than 3%.

Follow Allison Gatlin on Twitter at @IBD_AGatlin.

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