Marinus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNS) shares made a handy gain on Monday after the company announced positive results from its midstage trial in women with postpartum depression.

Specifically, the firm announced positive results from its Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating ganaxolone intravenous (IV) (the Magnolia Study). And based on these results, Marinus is advancing both studies into the next phase of development to evaluate IV and oral dose regimens.

The highest dose group demonstrated the most robust results, with a clinically meaningful 5.6-point reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) compared to placebo at 48 hours that was durable through the last visit, on day 34.

About 75% of patients were responders, as defined as having an over 50% reduction from the baseline, at day 34 and 67% were responders at 60 hours. Also, 50% of patients achieved remission from depression at day 34 and 33% achieved remission at 60 hours.

Dr. Lorianne Masuoka, chief medical officer of Marinus, commented:

We achieved our Magnolia study objective and are pleased with the early onset, magnitude and durability of efficacy seen with ganaxolone IV over a month after treatment and discharge from inpatient care. Ganaxolone IV’s safety profile including ability to deliver even the highest dose at the start of infusion in these patients makes it an attractive drug candidate for this underserved patient population. The results from this Phase 2 safety and pharmacokinetic dose-optimization study are instrumental to future studies that incorporate our IV and provide insight to further optimize our oral dose regimen.

Shares of Marinus were last seen up about 7% at $5.54, with a consensus analyst price target of $17.50. The stock has a 52-week range of $3.31 to $10.54.

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