Axsome Therapeutics Champions Brain Health During Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

Rhea-AI Summary

Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AXSM) is joining the Alzheimer's disease advocacy community during Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month to highlight the growing impact of Alzheimer's disease in the US. The company emphasizes that over 7 million Americans now live with Alzheimer's, with projections showing an increase to 14 million by 2060. Research indicates that up to 45% of dementia cases may be linked to modifiable risk factors. The disease has risen from the 12th most burdensome disease in 1990 to the sixth in 2016 in terms of disability-adjusted life years. Axsome is collaborating with advocacy and patient communities to raise awareness and share resources, while also participating in scientific and medical conferences throughout the year.

NEW YORK, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today is joining with the Alzheimer’s disease advocacy community to raise awareness of the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States and the importance of brain health during this year’s Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.

“Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month offers the perfect opportunity for all Americans to take charge of their brain health,” said Sarah Fried, Vice President of Corporate Initiatives at the Alzheimer's Association. “For the first time ever there are now more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, but progress is being made, both with the development of new treatment options and in understanding overall brain health. It is estimated that as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors. Research shows that adopting healthy behaviors — like getting exercise and good quality sleep — can improve your brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and can be an important part of a comprehensive health program.“

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, and behavioral and psychological symptoms including agitation. AD is the most common form of dementia and afflicts an estimated 7.2 million individuals in the United States, a number that is anticipated to increase to approximately 14 million by 2060.¹ An additional nearly 12 million people serve as their caregivers.¹ The long duration of the condition exacerbates the impact and burden on individuals and public health. According to the most recent Global Burden of Disease classification system, Alzheimer’s disease rose from the 12th most burdensome disease or injury in the United States in 1990 to the sixth in 2016 in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).²

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, Axsome is working with advocacy and patient communities to raise awareness and share resources, in addition to participating at scientific and medical conferences throughout the year.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease advocacy organizations and some of the resources they provide supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s and their family members or caregivers, please visit the following websites:

• Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/). The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org/). The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) provides support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and funds research for better treatment and a cure.
• Caregiver Action Network (https://www.caregiveraction.org/). Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, or disease, as well as those supporting the living needs of older adults.
• CaringKind (https://www.caringkindnyc.org/). CaringKind is New York City’s leading expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving. With over 40 years of experience, CaringKind works directly with its community partners to develop the information, tools and training to support individuals and families affected by dementia.
• Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org/). For more than 40 years, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
• National Alliance for Caregiving (https://www.caregiving.org/). The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations who share a vision of a society that values, supports and empowers family caregivers to thrive at home, work and life. Its mission is to build partnerships in research, advocacy, and innovation to make life better for family caregivers.

About Axsome Therapeutics

Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, and multiple late-stage development programs addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain’s biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish. For more information, please visit us at www.axsome.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. The Company may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company’s statements regarding trends and potential future results are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the commercial success of the Company’s SUNOSI^®, AUVELITY^®, and SYMBRAVO^® products and the success of the Company’s efforts to obtain any additional indication(s) with respect to solriamfetol and/or AXS-05; the Company’s ability to maintain and expand payer coverage; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund the Company’s disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to the Company’s currently projected revenues or expenses), futility analyses and receipt of interim results, which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials, and/or data readouts, and the number or type of studies or nature of results necessary to support the filing of a new drug application (“NDA”) for any of the Company’s current product candidates; the Company’s ability to fund additional clinical trials to continue the advancement of the Company’s product candidates; the timing of and the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, the Company’s product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of any NDA submission; the Company’s ability to successfully defend its intellectual property or obtain the necessary licenses at a cost acceptable to the Company, if at all; the Company’s ability to successfully resolve any intellectual property litigation, and even if such disputes are settled, whether the applicable federal agencies will approve of such settlements; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations; the success of the Company’s license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s products and product candidates, if approved; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the amount of capital required for the commercialization of SUNOSI, AUVELITY, and SYMBRAVO and for the Company’s commercial launch of its other product candidates, if approved, and the potential impact on the Company’s anticipated cash runway; the Company’s ability to convert sales to recognized revenue and maintain a favorable gross to net sales; unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to domestic political climate, geo-political conflicts or a global pandemic and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within the Company’s control. The factors discussed herein could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Investors:
Mark Jacobson
Chief Operating Officer
(212) 332-3243
mjacobson@axsome.com

Media:
Darren Opland
Director, Corporate Communications
(929) 837-1065
dopland@axsome.com

References:

1. Alzheimer’s Association. 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement 2025;21(5).
   
   
2. Mokdad AH, Ballestros K, Echko M, Glenn S, Olsen HE, Mullany E. The State of US Health, 1990-2016: Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Among US States. JAMA 2018;319(14):1444-1472.
   

FAQ

How many Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease in 2025?

According to the press release, over 7.2 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease.

What is the projected number of Alzheimer's cases in the US by 2060?

The number of Alzheimer's cases in the United States is projected to increase to approximately 14 million by 2060.

What percentage of dementia cases may be preventable through modifiable risk factors?

According to the press release, as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors.

How has the burden ranking of Alzheimer's disease changed in the US since 1990?

Alzheimer's disease rose from the 12th most burdensome disease or injury in the United States in 1990 to the sixth in 2016 in terms of disability-adjusted life years.

How many caregivers are currently supporting Alzheimer's patients in the US?

Nearly 12 million people serve as caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease in the United States.