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Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) ends SUNOSI patent suits, sets 2040 generic entry

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. has resolved all patent litigation related to its wake-promoting therapy SUNOSI (solriamfetol). The disputes stemmed from Abbreviated New Drug Applications filed by companies seeking to market generic versions of SUNOSI in the United States.

Under a settlement with the only remaining first-to-file generic applicant, Axsome will grant five companies the right to sell generic SUNOSI beginning on or after September 1, 2040 if pediatric exclusivity is granted, or on or after March 1, 2040 if pediatric exclusivity is not granted, in each case subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and customary conditions. Axsome states that no other SUNOSI patent litigation remains pending and will submit the settlement agreement to the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice for review.

Positive

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Insights

Axsome locks in long-dated SUNOSI patent peace with defined generic entry.

Axsome has ended all U.S. patent litigation around SUNOSI by settling with the last remaining first-to-file generic challenger. The agreement grants five companies rights to sell generic SUNOSI, but only starting in 2040 under specified conditions.

The settlement sets two potential U.S. generic entry dates: March 1, 2040 if SUNOSI does not receive pediatric exclusivity, or September 1, 2040 if such exclusivity is granted, all subject to FDA approval and customary conditions. Axsome notes that no other SUNOSI patent litigation is pending.

The arrangement provides a clear timetable for when generic competition may begin, but the economic impact depends on SUNOSI’s performance and any future regulatory decisions on pediatric exclusivity. The settlement must also be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice for review, as required by law.

Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Generic entry without pediatric exclusivity March 1, 2040 Earliest date generics may sell SUNOSI if no pediatric exclusivity
Generic entry with pediatric exclusivity September 1, 2040 Generic SUNOSI sales start date if pediatric exclusivity is granted
Number of generic companies 5 companies Companies granted rights to sell generic SUNOSI under settlement
Form type Form 8-K Disclosure of SUNOSI patent litigation settlement as other event
Exhibit press release date June 3, 2026 Date of Axsome SUNOSI patent settlement press release
Abbreviated New Drug Applications regulatory
"The litigations resulted from submission of Abbreviated New Drug Applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration"
An Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) is the formal regulatory request a company files to get approval to sell a generic version of an already‑approved prescription drug by showing it delivers the same active ingredient and effect, without repeating the original safety and effectiveness trials. For investors, ANDA approvals are important because they allow lower‑cost competitors to enter a market, often cutting the original product’s sales and prices and reshaping profit expectations in a predictable, timetable-driven way.
pediatric exclusivity regulatory
"beginning on or after September 1, 2040, if pediatric exclusivity is granted for SUNOSI, or on or after March 1, 2040, if no pediatric exclusivity is granted"
Pediatric exclusivity is a regulatory reward that gives a drug maker extra protected selling time—typically a six‑month extension—if the company conducts studies showing the medicine is safe and effective for children. For investors, it matters because that extra time is like a temporary shield that delays generic competition and can materially extend revenue from a product, affecting a drug’s cash flow, valuation and investment returns.
first-to-file generic applicant regulatory
"settlement agreement with the only remaining first-to-file generic applicant with pending patent litigation related to Axsome’s product SUNOSI"
Federal Trade Commission regulatory
"Axsome will submit the settlement agreement to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice for review"
The Federal Trade Commission is a U.S. government agency that enforces rules to keep markets competitive and protect consumers from deceptive or unfair business practices, acting like a referee for the marketplace. Its actions matter to investors because investigations, fines, required changes to business practices, or blocked mergers can raise costs, slow growth or damage reputation, any of which can affect a company's stock value.
central nervous system (CNS) disorders medical
"a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements”."
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
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false000157942800015794282026-06-032026-06-03

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 03, 2026

 

 

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-37635

45-4241907

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

One World Trade Center, 29th Floor

 

New York, New York

 

10007

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (212) 332-3241

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 


Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 Per Share

 

AXSM

 

Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 


Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 3, 2026, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release entitled “Axsome Therapeutics Announces Settlement Resolving All SUNOSI® (solriamfetol) Patent Litigation.”

The full text of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

 

Press Release dated June 3, 2026.

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

June 3, 2026

By:

/s/ Herriot Tabuteau, M.D.

 

 

Name:

Title:

Herriot Tabuteau, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

 


img36028404_0.gif

Exhibit 99.1

 

Axsome Therapeutics Announces Settlement Resolving All SUNOSI® (solriamfetol) Patent Litigation

NEW YORK, June 3, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) (Axsome), a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that it has resolved all patent litigation related to Axsome’s product SUNOSI (solriamfetol). The litigations resulted from submission of Abbreviated New Drug Applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by companies seeking approval to market a generic version of SUNOSI in the United States.

Axsome resolved all outstanding SUNOSI patent litigation upon entering into a settlement agreement with the only remaining first-to-file generic applicant with pending patent litigation related to Axsome’s product SUNOSI. As part of the resolution of these lawsuits, Axsome will grant five companies the right to sell generic versions of SUNOSI beginning on or after September 1, 2040, if pediatric exclusivity is granted for SUNOSI, or on or after March 1, 2040, if no pediatric exclusivity is granted, subject to FDA approval and conditions and exceptions customary for agreements of this type. No other patent litigation relating to SUNOSI remains pending.

As required by law, Axsome will submit the settlement agreement to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice for review.

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, agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, as well as multiple novel product candidates 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.

1


 

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.

2


 

Investors:
Ashley Dong
Senior Director, Investor Relations
(929) 687-1614
adong@axsome.com

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

 

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FAQ

What did Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) announce regarding SUNOSI patent litigation?

Axsome Therapeutics announced that it has resolved all U.S. patent litigation related to its SUNOSI (solriamfetol) product. The resolution comes through a settlement agreement with the only remaining first-to-file generic applicant and ends all outstanding SUNOSI patent disputes described in the disclosure.

When can generic versions of SUNOSI potentially launch under Axsome’s settlement?

Under the settlement, five companies may sell generic SUNOSI starting on or after March 1, 2040 if pediatric exclusivity is not granted. If pediatric exclusivity is granted for SUNOSI, generic entry may begin on or after September 1, 2040, subject to FDA approval.

How many companies receive rights to sell generic SUNOSI in Axsome’s agreement?

Axsome’s settlement will grant five companies the right to sell generic versions of SUNOSI in the United States. These rights become effective only on the agreed dates in 2040 and remain subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and customary conditions and exceptions.

What regulatory review will Axsome’s SUNOSI patent settlement undergo?

Axsome will submit the SUNOSI patent settlement agreement to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. This submission is required by law for certain pharmaceutical patent settlements, allowing these agencies to review the agreement’s terms and competitive implications.

What triggered the SUNOSI patent litigation that Axsome has now settled?

The SUNOSI patent litigation arose after companies filed Abbreviated New Drug Applications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These applications sought approval to market generic versions of SUNOSI in the United States, prompting Axsome to enforce its SUNOSI-related patents through litigation.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents