Sage Therapeutics (SAGE) POSASR Automatic shelf registration (post-effective amendment)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2025

Registration No. 333-282162

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SAGE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	27-4486580
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142

(617) 299-8380

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Barry E. Greene

President and Chief Executive Officer

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142

(617) 299-8380

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Stuart Falber Rosemary G. Reilly C.S. Avery Reaves Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP 60 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (617) 526-6000 Gregory L. Shiferman Senior Vice President, General Counsel Sage Therapeutics, Inc. 55 Cambridge Parkway Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 (617) 299-8380

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-282162) (the “Registration Statement”) of Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) is being filed because the Registrant expects that it will no longer qualify as a well-known seasoned issuer (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) when it files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 adds disclosure to the Registration Statement required for a registrant other than a well-known seasoned issuer and makes certain other amendments.

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

• a base prospectus that covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to $400,000,000 in aggregate offering price of the securities described therein from time to time in one or more offerings; and

• a sales agreement prospectus that covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to $250,000,000 in aggregate offering price of our common stock that may be issued and sold from time to time under a sales agreement with TD Securities (USA) LLC.

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus other than the shares under the sales agreement will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus.

The sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The $250,000,000 of our common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the $400,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus. Upon any termination of the sales agreement, any portion of the $250,000,000 of securities included in the sales agreement prospectus that has not been sold pursuant to the sales agreement will become available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus with a corresponding prospectus supplement.

PROSPECTUS

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

$400,000,000

of

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

We may offer and sell securities from time to time in one or more offerings of up to $400,000,000 in aggregate offering price. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.

The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SAGE”.

Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 and included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 11, 2025.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	2
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	4
RISK FACTORS	5
SAGE THERAPEUTICS, INC.	6
USE OF PROCEEDS	8
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	17
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	26
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	28
FORMS OF SECURITIES	29
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	31
LEGAL MATTERS	33
EXPERTS	34

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate initial offering price of up to $400,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Sage Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.sagerx.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings and the exhibits attached thereto. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-36544) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024, including the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2023, from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which was filed with the SEC on April 24, 2024;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June  30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024, July 31, 2024 and October 29, 2024, respectively;

• Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 8, 2024 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 thereto), January  24, 2024, January  31, 2024, March  26, 2024, April  19, 2024, June  11, 2024, June  11, 2024, July  24, 2024, September  26, 2024, October  8, 2024, October  17, 2024, November  1, 2024, November  20, 2024, November  26, 2024, January  13, 2025 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto), and January 27, 2025; and

• The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on July  15, 2014, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of our capital stock contained in Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024, and including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142

Attention: Secretary

(617) 299-8380

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, “goal”, “mission”, “vision” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

• our commercialization efforts for products that have obtained regulatory approval;

• the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, use of cash, the potential for future revenues, timing of future cash needs, and our ability to obtain additional financing when needed;

• our plans with respect to filing for regulatory approval for our product candidates if development is successful, and the potential to obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates and to commercialize our products, if approval is obtained;

• the initiation, timing, progress and results of our clinical trials, nonclinical studies, and research and development programs, including our ability to complete successfully, within expected time frames, our clinical trials and nonclinical studies and to advance our product candidates to the next stages of development;

• our plans and expectations with respect to potential future commercial activities, if regulatory approval for our product candidates is obtained;

• the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business, products, product candidates and technology, and activities in furtherance of our goals and mission; and

• the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our products, product candidates and technology.

Any forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus reflect our views at the time such statements were made with respect to future events and with respect to our business and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date when made, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those described in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC, as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

We may from time to time provide estimates, projections and other information concerning, among other things, our industry, the general business environment, and the markets for certain diseases, including estimates regarding the potential size of those markets and the estimated incidence and prevalence of certain medical conditions. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties, and actual events, circumstances or numbers may differ materially from the information we provide. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry and business information, market data, prevalence information and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties; industry, medical and general publications; government data; and similar sources, in some cases applying our own assumptions and analysis that may, in the future, prove not to have been accurate.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in any related free writing prospectus, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement.

Our business, prospects, financial condition, or operating results, as well as the value of an investment in our securities, could be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these risks, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial.

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SAGE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

We are a biopharmaceutical company with a mission to pioneer solutions to deliver life-changing brain health medicines, so every person can thrive. Alongside our commercial product for the treatment of postpartum depression, or PPD, we are advancing a portfolio of internally discovered novel chemical entities with the potential to become differentiated treatments designed to improve brain health by primarily targeting two critical central nervous system, or CNS, receptor systems, GABA and NMDA. The GABA receptor family, which is recognized as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, mediates downstream neurologic and bodily function via activation of GABA_A receptors. The NMDA-type receptors of the glutamate receptor system are a major excitatory receptor system in the CNS. Dysfunction in these systems is thought to be at the core of numerous neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our product ZURZUVAE^® (zuranolone) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August 2023 for the treatment of PPD in adults. ZURZUVAE is a neuroactive steroid that is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA_A receptors, targeting both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA_A receptors, and is the first oral, once-daily, 14-day treatment specifically indicated for adults with PPD. ZURZUVAE became commercially available in the U.S. in December 2023 as a treatment option for women with PPD. We and our collaboration partner, Biogen MA Inc., or BIMA, and Biogen International GmbH, or, together with BIMA, Biogen, are jointly commercializing ZURZUVAE in the U.S. under our collaboration and license agreement that became effective in December 2020. We and Biogen equally share in all operating profits and losses arising from sales of ZURZUVAE in the U.S., with Biogen recording such product sales.

We jointly commercialize ZURZUVAE with Biogen in the U.S. and have the right to jointly commercialize any additional products containing zuranolone, which, along with ZURZUVAE, we refer to as Licensed 217 Products, if our ongoing and any future development efforts are successful. In addition, we have granted Biogen sole rights to develop and commercialize the Licensed 217 Products outside the U.S., other than in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, or the Shionogi Territory, with respect to zuranolone, where we have granted such rights to Shionogi & Co., Ltd., or Shionogi.

We also have a collaboration agreement with Shionogi for the development of zuranolone in the Shionogi Territory. Shionogi is currently developing zuranolone for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, or MDD, in Japan. In the third quarter of 2024, Shionogi reported that it submitted a new drug application, or NDA, in Japan for zuranolone for the treatment of MDD.

We also previously commercialized ZULRESSO^® (brexanolone) CIV injection for the treatment of PPD. ZULRESSO is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of PPD in individuals 15 years old and older. We launched ZULRESSO commercially in the U.S. in June 2019. ZULRESSO was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for two and a half days and could only be administered in qualified medically-supervised healthcare settings. Given the complexities and challenges associated with administration of ZULRESSO, use of the product was limited and further reduced as a result of the availability of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of women with PPD. For that reason, we discontinued commercial availability of ZULRESSO in the U.S. as of December 31, 2024.

We are also evaluating potential indications for SAGE-324, a novel GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator intended for chronic oral dosing, including seizures in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.

Our other area of focus is SAGE-319, an extrasynaptic-preferring GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator, or GABA_A PAM, designed to have a novel pharmacology and a differentiated clinical profile from other GABA_A PAMs in our portfolio. We are currently investigating SAGE-319 as a potential treatment for behavioral symptoms associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders.

We expect to continue to focus on the development of product candidates for the treatment of both acute and chronic brain health disorders, including work on allosteric modulation of the GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems in the brain, and are continuing to explore targeted work within our NMDA receptor negative allosteric modulator platform with SAGE-817 and SAGE-039. The GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems are broadly accepted as impacting many neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, spanning disorders of mood, seizure, cognition, anxiety, sleep, pain, and movement, among others. We believe that we may have the opportunity to

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develop molecules from our internal portfolio with the goal of addressing a number of these disorders in the future, and also believe that we may have opportunity to use our scientific approach to explore targets beyond the GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems and to develop compounds in areas of unmet need outside of brain health.

Our principal executive offices are located at 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, and our telephone number is (617) 299-8380.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include working capital, capital expenditures, the acquisition of companies or businesses, and the repayment and refinancing of debt. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds of any offering.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and therefore is not a complete description of our capital stock. This description is based upon, and is qualified by reference to, our fifth amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation; our amended and restated bylaws, which we refer to as our bylaws; and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law. You should read our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to documents incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, for the provisions that are important to you.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of December 31, 2024, 61,356,209 shares of our common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Common stock

We are authorized to issue one class of common stock. Only our common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Annual Meeting

Annual meetings of our stockholders are held on the date designated in accordance with our bylaws. Written notice must be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose only by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, all elections of directors shall be decided by a plurality, and all other questions shall be decided by a majority, of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.

Voting

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide cumulative voting rights to holders of our common stock. Our bylaws provide that, except as required by law or our certificate of incorporation, all matters will be decided by the vote of the majority of the votes properly cast for such matter.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up

Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available after the payment of all our debts and other liabilities, subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Other Rights

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.

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The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Except as described under “Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws” below, a majority vote of the holders of common stock is generally required to take action under our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws.

Transfer agent and registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Preferred stock

We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series upon authorization of our board of directors. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the designations, powers, including voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of each series of preferred stock. The authorized shares of our preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. If the approval of our stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of our preferred stock, our board may determine not to seek stockholder approval. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock.

A series of our preferred stock could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. Our board of directors will make any determination to issue preferred shares based upon its judgment as to the best interests of our stockholders. Our directors, in so acting, could issue preferred stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an acquirer may be able to change the composition of our board of directors, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then-current market price of the stock.

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

• the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

• the amount of liquidation preference per share;

• the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

• the dividend rate, or method of calculation of dividends, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate;

• any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

• if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies including composite currencies in which the preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;

• any conversion provisions; and

• any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock.

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

Rank

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:

• senior to our common stock and to all equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

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• on a parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

• junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless full dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities.

No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative dividends for prior dividend periods. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of their liquidating distributions, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

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Upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up and if we have made liquidating distributions in full to all holders of preferred stock, we will distribute our remaining assets among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their respective rights and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or assets will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of preferred stock that shall be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. Unless the shares have a cumulative dividend, such accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may pay the redemption price in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of shares of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no such shares of our capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable shares of our capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not redeem any preferred stock of a series unless:

• if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

• if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends for the then current dividend period.

In addition, we will not acquire any preferred stock of a series unless:

• if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of such series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

• if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the then current dividend period.

However, at any time we may purchase or acquire preferred stock of that series (1) pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of such series or (2) by conversion into or exchange for shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation.

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares that may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder or by any other equitable manner that we determine. Such determination will reflect adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we will mail notice of redemption at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice shall state:

• the redemption date;

• the number of shares and series of preferred stock to be redeemed;

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• the redemption price;

• the place or places where certificates for such preferred stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

• that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date;

• the date on which the holder’s conversion rights, if any, as to such shares shall terminate; and

• the specific number of shares to be redeemed from each such holder if fewer than all the shares of any series are to be redeemed.

If notice of redemption has been given and we have set aside the funds necessary for such redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares, and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as required by law or as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise provided for under the terms of any series of preferred stock, no consent or vote of the holders of shares of preferred stock or any series thereof shall be required for any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof or decrease the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof (but not below the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or such series, as the case may be, then outstanding).

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into shares of our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or at the option of the holders of the preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Registration Rights

Biogen MA Inc., or Biogen, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 27, 2020, or the Biogen Agreement, is entitled to rights with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of certain shares held by Biogen. These rights include “short-form” demand registration rights, shelf registration rights and piggyback registration rights. All fees, costs and expenses of underwritten registrations under these agreements will be borne by us and all selling expenses, including underwriting discounts and selling commissions, will be borne by Biogen. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement. If not otherwise exercised, the rights described below will expire in June 2025.

Demand Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, we are required, upon the written request of Biogen during a specified period, to register all or part of the shares held by Biogen having a specified minimum value and that are

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no longer subject to a specified holding period, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The Biogen Agreement provides a limit on the total number of registrations that we are required to effect pursuant to this provision, except that the number of shelf takedowns that are not underwritten offerings are not limited.

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to demand registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Shelf Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, we are required, upon the written request of Biogen during a specified period, to cause the registration on Form S-3 pursuant to Securities Act Rule 415 of all or part of the shares held by Biogen that are no longer subject to a specified holding period and use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such shelf registration statement to become effective, in each case subject to specified conditions.

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to these shelf registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Piggyback Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, beginning on July 1, 2022, Biogen is entitled to piggyback registration rights. If we propose to register any of our securities during a specified period, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, Biogen is entitled to include its shares in the registration, subject to certain exceptions. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to include Biogen’s shares in the registration.

Under the Biogen Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the underwriters may limit the number of shares included in the underwritten offering to the number of shares which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering. We must pay all expenses, except for underwriting discounts, commissions, transfer taxes and underwriter fees and disbursements, incurred in connection with the exercise of piggyback registration rights.

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to these piggyback registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and, as a consequence, they might also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions are also designed in part to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. These provisions might also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. However, we believe that the advantages gained by protecting our ability to negotiate with any unsolicited and potentially unfriendly acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including those priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could improve their terms.

Delaware takeover statute

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder,

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unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

• before the stockholder became interested, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

• upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

• at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

• any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

• any sale, transfer, lease, pledge, exchange, mortgage or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

• the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.

Board composition and filling vacancies

In accordance with our certificate of incorporation, our board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum.

No written consent of stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation provides that all stockholder actions are required to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and that stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. This limit may lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions and would prevent the amendment of our bylaws or removal of directors by our stockholder without holding a meeting of stockholders.

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Meetings of stockholders

Our bylaws provide that only a majority of the members of our board of directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

Advance notice requirements

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. The notice must contain certain information specified in our bylaws.

Amendment to bylaws and certificate of incorporation

As required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, any amendment of our certificate of incorporation must first be approved by a majority of our board of directors, and if required by law or our certificate of incorporation, must thereafter be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, except that the amendment of the provisions relating to stockholder action, directors, limitation of liability and the amendment of our bylaws and certificate of incorporation must be approved by not less than 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class. Our bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any limitations set forth in the bylaws; and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, or, if the board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve the amendment, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, in each case voting together as a single class.

Undesignated preferred stock

Our certificate of incorporation provides for 5,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of us or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.

Exclusive jurisdiction of certain actions

Our certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, unless we otherwise consent. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that Sage Therapeutics, Inc. may offer and sell from time to time. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement, as well as any general terms and provisions described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities. As used in this “Description of Debt Securities” the term “debt securities,” means the senior and subordinated debt securities that we issue and the trustee authenticates and delivers under the applicable indenture. When we refer to “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this section, we mean Sage Therapeutics, Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, its subsidiaries.

We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to individually as an indenture and together as the indentures and the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to individually as a trustee and together as the trustees. This section summarizes some of the provisions of the indentures and is qualified in its entirety by the specific text of the indentures, including definitions of terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections of, or defined terms in, the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The applicable indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by us and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by us or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

General

The senior debt securities will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities), as described under the heading “—Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.” The debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries unless such subsidiaries expressly guarantee such debt securities.

The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries.

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities of any series being offered, including the following terms:

• the title and type of the debt securities;

• whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities, and, with respect to any subordinated debt securities, the terms on which they are subordinated;

• the initial aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

• the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;

• the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;

• the rate or rates, if any, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;

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• the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the method of determination of such dates;

• the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of that extension;

• the manner of paying principal and interest and the place or places where principal and interest will be payable;

• the denominations of the debt securities if other than $2,000 or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

• provisions for a sinking fund, purchase fund or other analogous fund, if any;

• any redemption dates, prices, obligations and restrictions on the debt securities;

• the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated and the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable;

• any conversion or exchange features of the debt securities;

• whether the debt securities will be subject to the defeasance provisions in the indenture;

• whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or global form or in definitive form only upon satisfaction of certain conditions;

• whether the debt securities will be guaranteed as to payment or performance;

• any special tax implications of the debt securities;

• any events of defaults or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indenture; and

• any other material terms of the debt securities.

When we refer to “principal” in this section with reference to the debt securities, we are also referring to “premium, if any.”

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series in all respects (or in all respects other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities

Covenants. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants, including

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covenants restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock, or restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into sale and leaseback transactions.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, in either case, unless:

• the successor entity, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust;

• the successor entity assumes our obligations on the senior debt securities and under the senior indenture;

• immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

• we have delivered to the senior trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the senior indenture and all conditions precedent provided for in the senior indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

The restrictions described in the bullets above do not apply (1) to our consolidation with or merging into one of our affiliates, if our board of directors determines in good faith that the purpose of the consolidation or merger is principally to change our state of incorporation or our form of organization to another form or (2) if we merge with or into a single direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours.

The surviving business entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, we shall be released from all obligations under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities.

No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).

Events of Default. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the following are events of default under the senior indenture with respect to senior debt securities of each series:

• failure to pay interest on any senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default continues for a period of 30 days (or such other period as may be specified for such series);

• failure to pay principal on the senior debt securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise (and, if specified for such series, the continuance of such failure for a specified period);

• default in the performance of or breach of any of our covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to senior debt securities of such series, other than a covenant breach which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the senior indenture, and that default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series;

• certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether or not voluntary; and

• any other event of default provided for in such series of senior debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the default by us under any other debt, including any other series of our debt securities, is not a default under the senior indenture.

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If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs with respect to a series of senior debt securities and is continuing under the senior indenture, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series then outstanding under the senior indenture (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on such series of senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable, and upon this declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

If an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the entire principal amount of and accrued interest on each series of senior debt securities then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall include only the original issue price of the senior debt securities, the amount of original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued interest, if any.

Upon certain conditions, declarations of acceleration may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the senior debt securities of such series affected by the default, each series voting as a separate class. Furthermore, subject to various provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may waive a continuing default or event of default with respect to such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities) or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt security. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such senior debt securities. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of such series of senior debt securities not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of such series of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the senior indenture or any series of senior debt securities unless:

• the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

• the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default;

• the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense;

• the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

• during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a senior debt security of any affected series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such senior debt security in accordance with the terms of such debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment in accordance with the terms of such debt security, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

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The senior indenture requires certain of our officers to certify, on or before a fixed date in each year in which any senior debt security is outstanding, as to their knowledge of our compliance with all covenants, agreements and conditions under the senior indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge. We can satisfy and discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities if:

• we have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all senior debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) when due and payable; or

• we deliver to the senior trustee for cancellation all senior debt securities of such series theretofore authenticated under the senior indenture (with certain limited exceptions); or

• all senior debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the senior trustee) and we deposit in trust an amount of cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government securities or foreign government agency securities) sufficient to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates;

and if, in any such case, we also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the senior indenture, as and when the same shall be due and payable and we deliver to the senior trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that these conditions have been satisfied.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us. Purchasers of the debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. federal income tax law.

Defeasance. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities issued under the indentures.

Legal Defeasance. We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series (called “legal defeasance”) if certain conditions are met, including the following:

• We deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

• There is a change in current U.S. federal income tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us.

• We deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change or ruling described above.

If we accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

Covenant Defeasance. Without any change in current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the debt securities (called “covenant defeasance”). In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of

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having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following (among other things):

• deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

• deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you could still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the events of default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the events causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Modification and Waiver. We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the senior debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder:

• to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any assets as security for the senior debt securities of one or more series;

• to evidence the succession of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to us, and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the senior indenture or to otherwise comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets;

• to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the senior indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act;

• to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;

• to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the senior indenture or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the senior indenture or the senior debt securities to the description of senior debt securities of such series set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement;

• to provide for or add guarantors with respect to the senior debt securities of any series;

• to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities as permitted by the senior indenture;

• to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the senior indenture by a successor trustee, or to make such changes as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts in the senior indenture by more than one trustee;

• to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the senior indenture in respect of one or more series of senior debt securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall (a) neither (1) apply to any senior debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such senior debt security with respect to such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no senior debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding;

• to make any change to the senior debt securities of any series so long as no senior debt securities of such series are outstanding; or

• to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect.

Other amendments and modifications of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities issued may be made, and our compliance with any provision of the senior indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification (voting as separate series); provided, however, that each affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that:

• extends the final maturity of any senior debt securities of such series;

• reduces the principal amount of any senior debt securities of such series;

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• reduces the rate, or extends the time for payment of, interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

• reduces the amount payable upon the redemption of any senior debt securities of such series;

• changes the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

• reduces the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy;

• waives a continuing default in the payment of principal of or interest on the senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities);

• changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or impairs the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or conversion of any senior debt securities of such series on or after the due date therefor;

• modifies any of the provisions of these restrictions on amendments and modifications, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each senior debt security of such series affected by the modification;

• adversely affects the right to convert or exchange senior debt securities into common stock, other securities or property in accordance with the terms of the senior debt securities; or

• reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to a supplemental indenture or modifies or amends or waives certain provisions of or defaults under the senior indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if the holders’ consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver of the senior indenture in accordance with the provisions described in this section becomes effective, the trustee must give to the holders affected thereby certain notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure by the trustee to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

Notice of Redemption. Notice of any redemption of senior debt securities will be mailed at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of senior debt securities of a series to be redeemed. Any notice may, at our discretion, be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent. In that case, such notice shall state the nature of such condition precedent. If we elect to redeem a portion but not all of such senior debt securities, the trustee will select the senior debt securities to be redeemed in a manner that complies with applicable legal and stock exchange requirements, if any. Interest on such debt securities or portions of senior debt securities will cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless we default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such senior debt security or portion thereof.

If any date of redemption of any senior debt security is not a business day, then payment of principal and interest may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of redemption and no interest will accrue for the period after such nominal date.

Conversion Rights. We will describe the terms upon which senior debt securities may be convertible into our common stock or other securities in a prospectus supplement. These terms will include the type of securities the senior debt securities are convertible into, the conversion price or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or the option of the holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the senior debt securities and any restrictions on conversion. They may also include provisions adjusting the number of shares of our common stock or other securities issuable upon conversion.

No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, or Directors. The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the senior indenture or any supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of our incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

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Concerning the Trustee. The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of ours or any of our subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

We may have normal banking relationships with the senior trustee in the ordinary course of business.

Unclaimed Funds. All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such amounts became due and payable will be repaid to us. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law. The senior indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities

Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities.

Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.

Subordination. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinate to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our senior indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities (except for certain sinking fund payments). In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

The term “senior indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

• all of the indebtedness of that person for money borrowed;

• all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities sold by that person for money;

• all of the lease obligations that are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

• all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point above that the person, in any manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and

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• all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet point above;

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated indenture.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the expiration date of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any warrants:

• the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the offering price at which we will issue, the warrants;

• the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

• the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

• whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units;

• whether the warrants will be issued in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

• any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

• the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

• the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

• the designation and terms of any equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

• the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of any debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

• if applicable, the designation and terms of the preferred stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

• if applicable, the date from and after which any warrants issued as part of a unit and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

• the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

• if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

• information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

• the anti-dilution provisions of, and other provisions for changes to or adjustment in the exercise price of, the warrants, if any;

• any redemption or call provisions; and

• any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange or exercise of the warrants.

Pre-Funded Warrants

We may also issue pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock. A pre-funded warrant is a type of warrant that allows the holder to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock at a nominal exercise price, generally equal to the par value of the underlying common stock. The pre-funded warrants may be issued as individual warrant agreements to the holders. In addition to the terms described in the bullets above, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any pre-funded warrants:

• the date on which the right to exercise the pre-funded warrants will begin, generally on the date of issuance, and the date on which that right will expire, generally when the pre-funded warrant is exercised in full;

• whether the warrant may only be exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure;

• certain beneficial ownership limitations, such that a holder will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any pre-funded warrant that, upon giving effect to (or immediately prior to) such exercise, would cause the holder’s beneficial ownership to exceed a specified threshold, typically 4.99% or 9.99%, of the number of

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shares of our outstanding common stock or the combined voting power of all of our securities, which threshold may be subject to increase or decrease at the option of the holder, subject to a maximum ownership threshold, typically 9.99% or 19.99%, and compliance with a notice period;

• in the event of a fundamental transaction (generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person in which we are not the surviving entity, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock), the right of the holder to receive, upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, the same kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such holder would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction, without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the pre-funded warrants; and

• any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange or exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue units in one or more series, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any units:

• the designation and the terms of the units and of the securities constituting the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

• the identity of any unit agent for the units, if applicable, and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

• any additional terms of the governing unit agreement, if applicable;

• any additional provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or warrants constituting the units; and

• any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences.

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FORMS OF SECURITIES

Each debt security, warrant and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Global Securities

We may issue the debt securities of a particular series, warrants and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the global

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security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security. None of us, or any trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other agent of ours, or any agent of any trustee, warrant agent or unit agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment to holders of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global security that had been held by the depositary.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities:

• through underwriters;

• through dealers;

• through agents;

• directly to purchasers; or

• through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution to our existing security holders. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act, and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

• at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

• at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

• at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

• at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

• the name of the agent or any underwriters;

• the public offering or purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or re-allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

• all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

• any discounts and commissions to be allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and

• any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery

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contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

• the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

• if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.

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EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

$400,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

PROSPECTUS

February 11, 2025

PROSPECTUS

$250,000,000

Common Stock

We have entered into a sales agreement, or the sales agreement, with TD Securities (USA) LLC, or TD Cowen, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250,000,000 from time to time through or to TD Cowen acting as our agent or principal.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SAGE”. On February 7, 2025, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $7.25 per share.

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus will be made in sales deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. TD Cowen is not required to sell any specific amount of securities but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between TD Cowen and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

The compensation to TD Cowen for sales of common stock sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be an amount up to 3% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the sales agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, TD Cowen will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of TD Cowen will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to TD Cowen with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Our business and an investment in our common stock involve significant risks. These risks are described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page SA-9 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

TD Cowen

February 11, 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		SA-1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		SA-3
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY		SA-5
THE OFFERING		SA-7
RISK FACTORS		SA-9
USE OF PROCEEDS		SA-10
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK		SA-11
DIVIDEND POLICY		SA-16
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		SA-17
LEGAL MATTERS		SA-18
EXPERTS		SA-19
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		SA-20
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE		SA-21

SA-i

About this prospectus

This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Under this prospectus, we may from time to time offer shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250,000,000 at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of each such offering.

If information in this prospectus is inconsistent with any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus; provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference in the prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include important information about us, the securities being offered and other information you should know before investing in our securities. You should also read and consider information in the documents we have referred you to in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where you can find additional information” and “Incorporation by reference.”

We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information that is in addition to or different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us to which we have referred you. We have not, and TD Cowen has not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us to which we have referred you. We are not offering to sell, or soliciting an offer to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where, or in any circumstances which, the offer, sale or solicitation of such securities is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than as of the date of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or such free writing prospectus, as the case may be, or in the case of the documents incorporated by reference, the date of such documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

All references in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Sage Therapeutics, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires. We own various U.S. federal trademark applications and unregistered trademarks, including our corporate logo. This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference contain references to trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein, including logos, artwork, and other visual displays, may appear without the ^® or ^™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, service marks or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

SA-1

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States, or the U.S., to permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus in jurisdictions outside the U.S. are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus applicable to that jurisdiction.

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Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve risks and uncertainties. We make such forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “goal,” “mission,” “vision,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

• our expectations and goals for commercialization of ZURZUVAE^® in the U.S. as a treatment for women with postpartum depression, or PPD, including our beliefs in the potential benefit and profile of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of women with PPD; our estimates as to the number of women with PPD; the potential market for ZURZUVAE for the treatment of women with PPD; our market access, sales and marketing, customer support, investment, and distribution strategies for ZURZUVAE and related expectations, goals, and assumptions, including our goals to establish ZURZUVAE as the standard of care for women with PPD, expand market growth in PPD, accelerate topline revenue growth, and ultimately help more women with PPD; our market access goal of helping all women with PPD who are prescribed ZURZUVAE gain access to ZURZUVAE as quickly as possible with minimal restrictions; and the potential future results of our commercialization efforts and investment in the U.S.;

• our expectations and estimates regarding: the level of expenses we may incur in connection with our activities, including the cost savings we may realize as a result of our October 2024 corporate reorganization and pipeline prioritization efforts; use of cash, cash runway and projected cash balance at any given time; timing of future cash needs; capital requirements; funding from potential revenue; anticipated funding from ongoing collaborations; sources of future financing; and our ability to obtain additional financing, including on acceptable terms, when needed to fund future operations;

• our plans for the development of our product candidates for the treatment of brain health diseases and disorders, and potentially for other indications, including for SAGE-319 as a potential treatment for behavioral symptoms associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders; our plans to announce data from a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study of SAGE-319 by late 2025 and to evaluate next steps, if any, based on these data; our plans to evaluate other potential indications for SAGE-324, including seizures in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and to provide an update on next steps, if any, in mid-2025; our plans with respect to other research and development activities, including continuing to explore targeted work within our NMDA receptor negative allosteric modulator platform with SAGE-817 and SAGE-039; and expected timelines for our planned activities;

• our expectations regarding our plans to explore strategic alternatives;

• our ability, within the expected time frames, to initiate clinical trials and non-clinical studies of existing or future product candidates, including pivotal clinical trials, and to successfully enroll, complete and announce the results of ongoing or future clinical trials;

• our belief as to potential outcomes of our clinical development and commercialization activities;

• our plans and potential outcomes with respect to interactions with regulatory authorities;

• our plans for and the potential costs, benefits and outcomes of our existing collaborations with Biogen MA Inc., or BIMA, and Biogen International GmbH, or, together with BIMA, Biogen, and Shionogi & Co., Ltd., or Shionogi, and our plans for and potential outcomes of any additional business development efforts;

• our plans and expectations with respect to the potential development of any product or product candidate for markets outside the U.S.;

• our expectations with respect to the availability of supplies of ZURZUVAE and our product candidates, and the expected performance of our third-party manufacturers, including conformity with applicable regulatory requirements;

• our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our proprietary assets and other forms of exclusivity relevant to our business;

SA-3

• the estimated number of patients with diseases or disorders of interest to us and the potential size of the market for our products and product candidates in the indications we are pursuing or plan to study;

• the potential for our current products and current or future product candidates, if successfully developed and approved, for the indications and in the markets for which they are approved and our ability to serve those markets;

• the potential for success of competing products that are or become available for the treatment of PPD or any of the other indications that we are pursuing or may pursue in the future with our products and our product candidates;

• the impact of changes to the macroeconomic environment and geopolitical events on our activities, business and results of operations, and the potential success of our efforts to address or mitigate such impact; and

• our expectations related to the use of proceeds from this offering.

Any forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein reflect our views at the time such statements were made with respect to future events and with respect to our business and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date when made, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those described in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC; those described under the caption “Risk factors” herein; and those described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

We may from time to time provide estimates, projections and other information concerning, among other things, our industry, the general business environment, and the markets for certain diseases, including estimates regarding the potential size of those markets and the estimated incidence and prevalence of certain medical conditions. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties, and actual events, circumstances or numbers may differ materially from the information we provide. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry and business information, market data, prevalence information and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties; industry, medical and general publications; government data; and similar sources, in some cases applying our own assumptions and analysis that may, in the future, prove not to have been accurate.

SA-4

Prospectus summary

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. This summary may not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our common stock discussed under the caption “Risk factors” beginning on page SA-9 of this prospectus, and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in other filings that we may make from time to time with the SEC, along with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before making an investment decision.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company with a mission to pioneer solutions to deliver life-changing brain health medicines, so every person can thrive. Alongside our commercial product for the treatment of postpartum depression, or PPD, we are advancing a portfolio of internally discovered novel chemical entities with the potential to become differentiated treatments designed to improve brain health by primarily targeting two critical central nervous system, or CNS, receptor systems, GABA and NMDA. The GABA receptor family, which is recognized as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, mediates downstream neurologic and bodily function via activation of GABA_A receptors. The NMDA-type receptors of the glutamate receptor system are a major excitatory receptor system in the CNS. Dysfunction in these systems is thought to be at the core of numerous neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our product ZURZUVAE^® (zuranolone) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August 2023 for the treatment of postpartum depression, or PPD, in adults. ZURZUVAE is a neuroactive steroid that is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA_A receptors, targeting both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA_A receptors, and is the first oral, once-daily, 14-day treatment specifically indicated for adults with PPD. ZURZUVAE became commercially available in the U.S. in December 2023 as a treatment option for women with PPD. We and our collaboration partner, Biogen MA Inc., or BIMA, and Biogen International GmbH, or, together with BIMA, Biogen, are jointly commercializing ZURZUVAE in the U.S. under our collaboration and license agreement, or the Biogen Collaboration Agreement, that became effective in December 2020. We and Biogen equally share in all operating profits and losses arising from sales of ZURZUVAE in the U.S., with Biogen recording such product sales.

We jointly commercialize ZURZUVAE with Biogen in the U.S. and have the right to jointly commercialize any additional products containing zuranolone, which, along with ZURZUVAE, we refer to as Licensed 217 Products, if our ongoing and any future development efforts are successful. In addition, we have granted Biogen sole rights to develop and commercialize the Licensed 217 Products outside the U.S., other than in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, or the Shionogi Territory, with respect to zuranolone, where we have granted such rights to Shionogi & Co., Ltd., or Shionogi.

We also have a collaboration agreement with Shionogi for the development of zuranolone in the Shionogi Territory. Shionogi is currently developing zuranolone for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, or MDD, in Japan. In the third quarter of 2024, Shionogi reported that it submitted a new drug application, or NDA, in Japan for zuranolone for the treatment of MDD.

We also previously commercialized ZULRESSO^® (brexanolone) CIV injection for the treatment of PPD. ZULRESSO is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of PPD in individuals 15 years old and older. We launched ZULRESSO commercially in the U.S. in June 2019. ZULRESSO was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for two and a half days and could only be administered in qualified medically-supervised healthcare settings. Given the complexities and challenges associated with administration of ZULRESSO, use of the product was limited and further reduced as a result of the availability of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of women with PPD. For that reason, we discontinued commercial availability of ZULRESSO in the U.S. as of December 31, 2024.

SA-5

We are also evaluating potential indications for SAGE-324, a novel GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator intended for chronic oral dosing, including seizures in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.

Our other area of focus is SAGE-319, an extrasynaptic-preferring GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator, or GABA_A PAM, designed to have a novel pharmacology and a differentiated clinical profile from other GABA_A PAMs in our portfolio. We are currently investigating SAGE-319 as a potential treatment for behavioral symptoms associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders.

We expect to continue to focus on the development of product candidates for the treatment of both acute and chronic brain health disorders, including work on allosteric modulation of the GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems in the brain, and are continuing to explore targeted work within our NMDA receptor negative allosteric modulator platform with SAGE-817 and SAGE-039. The GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems are broadly accepted as impacting many neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, spanning disorders of mood, seizure, cognition, anxiety, sleep, pain, and movement, among others. We believe that we may have the opportunity to develop molecules from our internal portfolio with the goal of addressing a number of these disorders in the future, and also believe that we may have opportunity to use our scientific approach to explore targets beyond the GABA_A and NMDA receptor systems and to develop compounds in areas of unmet need outside of brain health.

Our principal executive offices are located at 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, and our telephone number is (617) 299-8380.

Company information

We were incorporated in Delaware in April 2010. Our mailing address and executive offices are located at 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, and our telephone number is (617) 299-8380. We maintain an Internet website at the following address: www.sagerx.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase our common stock. Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SAGE”.

SA-6

The offering

Common stock offered by us	Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $250,000,000.
Common stock outstanding following the offering	Up to 95,838,967 shares, assuming sales of 34,482,758 shares of our common stock in the offering at a price of $7.25 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on February 7, 2025. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering.
Manner of offering	“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, TD Cowen. See “Plan of distribution” on page SA-17 of this prospectus for more information.
Use of proceeds	We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered under this prospectus primarily for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, commercialization expenditures, operating expenditures, clinical trial and non-clinical study expenditures, research and development expenditures, the acquisition or in-licensing of products or product candidates, businesses or technologies, collaborations, working capital and capital expenditures. See “Use of Proceeds” on page SA-10 of this prospectus for more information.
The Nasdaq Global Market symbol	“SAGE”
Risk factors	Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk factors” beginning on page SA-9 of this prospectus and other information included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after the offering is based on 61,356,209 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2024, and excludes:

• 5,757,824 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2024, at a weighted average exercise price of $52.52 per share;

• 3,000,390 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024;

• 7,490,967 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2024 Plan, as of December 31, 2024;

• no shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2016 Inducement Equity Plan, or 2016 Plan, as of December 31, 2024;

• 419,194 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, or the 2014 ESPP, as of December 31, 2024; and

• 3,033 shares of common stock held by us as treasury stock as of December 31, 2024.

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes:

SA-7

• no exercise of outstanding stock options described above; and

• no settlement of outstanding restricted stock unit awards described above.

SA-8

Risk factors

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference, you should carefully consider the risks discussed below and under the headings “Summary of Risks Related to our Business” and “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC from time to time, before making a decision about investing in our securities. Such risks and uncertainties and those discussed below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business. If any of these risks occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Risks related to this offering and our common stock

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

We have broad discretion over the use of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, including the net proceeds we receive from this offering, and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the use of our available cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, including the net proceeds received from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use to fund operations, we may invest our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, including the net proceeds we receive in this offering, in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and accordingly may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results.

We will have discretion, subject to market demand and the terms of the sales agreement, to vary the timing, prices and number of shares sold in this offering. In addition, subject to the final determination by our board of directors or any restrictions we may place in any applicable placement notice, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

SA-9

Use of proceeds

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate gross sales proceeds of up to $250,000,000 from time to time (before deducting sales agent commissions and expenses). Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any shares of common stock offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, commercialization expenditures, operating expenditures, clinical trial and non-clinical study expenditures, research and development expenditures, the acquisition or in-licensing of products or product candidates, businesses or technologies, collaborations, working capital and capital expenditures.

Our expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based on our current plans and prevailing business conditions. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the outcome of our commercialization activities with respect to our approved products, progress, cost and results of our clinical programs, our ability to obtain additional financing and other factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations and any unforeseen cash needs. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds from this offering.

Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities.

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Description of common stock

The following description of our common stock is intended as a summary only and therefore is not a complete description of our common stock. This description is based upon, and is qualified by reference to, our fifth amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation; our amended and restated bylaws, which we refer to as our bylaws; and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law. You should read our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to documents incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, for the provisions that are important to you.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of December 31, 2024, 61,356,209 shares of our common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Common stock

We are authorized to issue one class of common stock. Only our common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Annual Meeting

Annual meetings of our stockholders are held on the date designated in accordance with our bylaws. Written notice must be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose only by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, all elections of directors shall be decided by a plurality, and all other questions shall be decided by a majority, of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.

Voting

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide cumulative voting rights to holders of our common stock. Our bylaws provide that, except as required by law or our certificate of incorporation, all matters will be decided by the vote of the majority of the votes properly cast for such matter.

Dividends

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up

Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available after the payment of all our debts and other liabilities, subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Other Rights

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.

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The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Except as described under “Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws” below, a majority vote of the holders of common stock is generally required to take action under our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws.

Transfer agent and registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Preferred stock

We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series upon authorization of our board of directors. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the designations, powers, including voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of each series of preferred stock. The authorized shares of our preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. If the approval of our stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of our preferred stock, our board may determine not to seek stockholder approval.

A series of our preferred stock could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. Our board of directors will make any determination to issue preferred shares based upon its judgment as to the best interests of our stockholders. Our directors, in so acting, could issue preferred stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an acquirer may be able to change the composition of our board of directors, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then-current market price of the stock.

Registration Rights

Biogen MA Inc., or Biogen, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 27, 2020, or the Biogen Agreement, is entitled to rights with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of certain shares held by Biogen. These rights include “short-form” demand registration rights, shelf registration rights and piggyback registration rights. All fees, costs and expenses of underwritten registrations under these agreements will be borne by us and all selling expenses, including underwriting discounts and selling commissions, will be borne by Biogen. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement. If not otherwise exercised, the rights described below will expire in June 2025.

Demand Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, we are required, upon the written request of Biogen during a specified period, to register all or part of the shares held by Biogen having a specified minimum value and that are no longer subject to a specified holding period, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The Biogen Agreement provides a limit on the total number of registrations that we are required to effect pursuant to this provision, except that the number of shelf takedowns that are not underwritten offerings are not limited.

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to demand registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Shelf Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, we are required, upon the written request of Biogen during a specified period, to cause the registration on Form S-3 pursuant to Securities Act Rule 415 of all or part of the shares held by Biogen that are no longer subject to a specified holding period and use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such shelf registration statement to become effective, in each case subject to specified conditions.

SA-12

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to these shelf registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Piggyback Registration Rights

Under the terms of the Biogen Agreement, beginning on July 1, 2022, Biogen is entitled to piggyback registration rights. If we propose to register any of our securities during a specified period, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, Biogen is entitled to include its shares in the registration, subject to certain exceptions. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to include Biogen’s shares in the registration.

Under the Biogen Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the underwriters may limit the number of shares included in the underwritten offering to the number of shares which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering. We must pay all expenses, except for underwriting discounts, commissions, transfer taxes and underwriter fees and disbursements, incurred in connection with the exercise of piggyback registration rights.

An aggregate of 6,241,473 shares of common stock are entitled to these piggyback registration rights under the Biogen Agreement. Biogen has not exercised such registration rights in connection with filing the Registration Statement.

Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and, as a consequence, they might also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions are also designed in part to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. These provisions might also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. However, we believe that the advantages gained by protecting our ability to negotiate with any unsolicited and potentially unfriendly acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including those priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could improve their terms.

Delaware takeover statute

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

• before the stockholder became interested, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

• upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

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• at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

• any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

• any sale, transfer, lease, pledge, exchange, mortgage or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

• subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

• the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.

Board composition and filling vacancies

In accordance with our certificate of incorporation, our board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum.

No written consent of stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation provides that all stockholder actions are required to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and that stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. This limit may lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions and would prevent the amendment of our bylaws or removal of directors by our stockholder without holding a meeting of stockholders.

Meetings of stockholders

Our bylaws provide that only a majority of the members of our board of directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

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Advance notice requirements

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. The notice must contain certain information specified in our bylaws.

Amendment to bylaws and certificate of incorporation

As required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, any amendment of our certificate of incorporation must first be approved by a majority of our board of directors, and if required by law or our certificate of incorporation, must thereafter be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, except that the amendment of the provisions relating to stockholder action, directors, limitation of liability and the amendment of our bylaws and certificate of incorporation must be approved by not less than 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class. Our bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any limitations set forth in the bylaws; and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, or, if the board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve the amendment, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, in each case voting together as a single class.

Undesignated preferred stock

Our certificate of incorporation provides for 5,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of us or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.

Exclusive jurisdiction of certain actions

Our certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, unless we otherwise consent. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

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Dividend policy

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Any future determination to declare dividends will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on various factors, including applicable laws, our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Investors should not purchase our common stock with the expectation of receiving cash dividends.

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Plan of distribution

We have entered into a sales agreement with TD Cowen, under which we may issue and sell from time to time up to $250,000,000 of our common stock through or to TD Cowen as our sales agent or principal. Sales of our common stock, if any, will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Sales pursuant to the sales agreement may be made through an affiliate of TD Cowen.

TD Cowen will offer our common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement on a daily basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and TD Cowen. We will designate the maximum amount of common stock to be sold through TD Cowen on a daily basis or otherwise determine such maximum amount together with TD Cowen. Subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement, TD Cowen will use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us. We may instruct TD Cowen not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. TD Cowen or we may suspend the offering of our common stock being made through TD Cowen under the sales agreement upon proper notice to the other party. TD Cowen and we each have the right, by giving written notice as specified in the sales agreement, to terminate the sales agreement in each party’s sole discretion at any time.

The aggregate compensation payable to TD Cowen as sales agent will be an amount of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price of the shares sold through it pursuant to the sales agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse TD Cowen up to $75,000 of TD Cowen’s outside legal expenses incurred by TD Cowen in connection with this offering. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding commissions payable to TD Cowen under the sales agreement, will be approximately $375,000.

The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such common stock.

TD Cowen will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading on The Nasdaq Global Market on each day in which common stock is sold through it as sales agent under the sales agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold through it as sales agent on that day, the volume weighted average price of the shares sold, the percentage of the daily trading volume and the net proceeds to us.

We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through TD Cowen under the sales agreement and the gross proceeds to us in connection with the sales of common stock.

Settlement for sales of common stock will occur, unless the parties agree otherwise, on the first business day that is also a trading day following the date on which any sales were made in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

In connection with the sales of our common stock on our behalf, TD Cowen will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to TD Cowen will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the sales agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to TD Cowen against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. As sales agent, TD Cowen will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market and trades under the symbol “SAGE.” The transfer agent of our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

TD Cowen and/or its affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us for which services they have received and, may in the future receive, customary fees.

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Legal matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain legal matters related to this offering will be passed upon for TD Cowen by Ropes & Gray LLP.

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Experts

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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Where you can find additional information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains periodic and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that are filed electronically with the SEC. These documents are also available, free of charge, through the Investors & Media section of our website, which is located at www.sagerx.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and the securities we are offering, we refer you to the registration statement and to its exhibits and schedules. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings and the exhibits attached thereto. You should review the complete documents, as applicable, to evaluate these statements.

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Incorporation by reference

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file after the date hereof with the SEC will automatically update and may modify or supersede some of the information included in this prospectus or incorporated herein or therein by reference. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as to those reports or documents or any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination or completion of this offering:

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024, including the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2023, from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which was filed with the SEC on April 24, 2024;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June  30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024, July 31, 2024 and October 29, 2024, respectively;

• Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 8, 2024 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 thereto), January  24, 2024, January  31, 2024, March  26, 2024, April  19, 2024, June  11, 2024, June  11, 2024, July  24, 2024, September  26, 2024, October  8, 2024, October  17, 2024, November  1, 2024, November  20, 2024, November  26, 2024, January  13, 2025 (excluding Item 7.01 and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto), and January 27, 2025; and

• The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on July  15, 2014, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of our capital stock contained in Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024, and including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following:

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142

Attention: Secretary

(617) 299-8380

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$250,000,000

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.

Common stock

Prospectus

TD Cowen

February 11, 2025

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale of the offered securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

SEC registration fee	$	59,865.00	(1)
Printing and engraving			(2)
Accounting services			(2)
Legal fees of registrant’s counsel			(2)
Transfer agent’s, trustee’s and depositary’s fees and expenses			(2)
Miscellaneous			(2)
Total	$		(2)

(1) Inclusive of registration fees of $36,900.00 in the aggregate previously paid with respect to previously registered shares of common stock with an aggregate offering price of $250,000,000.

(2) These fees and expenses are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly are not estimated at this time and will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL; our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or the certificate of incorporation; and our amended and restated bylaws, or the bylaws.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (except actions by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides, generally, that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director or officer to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that such provision may not eliminate or limit the liability of (i) a director or officer for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) a director or officer for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) a director under Section 174 of the DGCL, (iv) a director or officer for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit, or (v) an officer in any action by or in the right of the corporation. No such provision may eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective.

Article VII of our certificate of incorporation provides that a director of our company shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that if the DGCL is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of our company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

Article VII of our certificate of incorporation further provides that any amendment, repeal or modification of such article by our stockholders or amendment to the DGCL shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring before such amendment, repeal or modification of a director serving at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

Article V of our bylaws provides that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers and, in the discretion of our board of directors, certain employees, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same may be amended (except that in the case of an amendment, only to the extent that the amendment permits us to provide broader indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted us to provide prior to such amendment) against any and all expenses, judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement that are incurred by the director, officer or such employee or on the director’s, officer’s or employee’s behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, to which he or she is or is threatened to be made a party because he or she is or was serving as a director, officer or employee of our company, or at our request as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,

partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of our company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Article V of our bylaws further provides for the advancement of expenses to each of our directors and, in the discretion of the board of directors, to certain officers and employees.

In addition, Article V of our bylaws provides that the right of each of our directors and officers to indemnification and advancement of expenses shall be a contract right and shall not be exclusive of any other right now possessed or hereafter acquired under any statute, provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise. Furthermore, Article V of our bylaws authorizes us to provide insurance for our directors, officers and employees, against any liability, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of Article V of our bylaws.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

We also maintain a general liability insurance policy which covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our company arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

Item 16. Exhibits.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit  No.	Description
1.1*	Form of Underwriting Agreement
1.2	Sales Agreement, dated as of September  16, 2024, by and between the Company and TD Securities (USA) LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282162) filed on September 17, 2024)
4.1	Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-196849) filed on July 8, 2014)
4.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36544) filed on June 16, 2023)
4.3	Form of Senior Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282162) filed on September 17, 2024)
4.4	Form of Subordinated Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282162) filed on September 17, 2024)
4.5	Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282162) filed on September 17, 2024)
4.6	Form of Subordinated Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-282162) filed on September 17, 2024)
4.8*	Form of Warrant Agreement
4.9*	Form of Unit Agreement
4.10*	Form of Pre-Funded Warrant Agreement
5.1	Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
23.1	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant
23.2	Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24	Powers of Attorney (included in the signature pages to the Registration Statement)
25.1**	Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture
25.2**	Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture
107	Filing Fee Table

* To be filed by amendment or by a Current Report on Form 8-K.

** To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by a Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned Registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act:

(i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described herein, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Cambridge, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on February 11, 2025.

SAGE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:	/s/ Barry E. Greene
Name:	Barry E. Greene
Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Barry E. Greene Barry E. Greene	President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)	February 11, 2025
/s/ Chris Benecchi Chris Benecchi	Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	February 11, 2025
* Michael F. Cola	Director	February 11, 2025
* James Frates	Director	February 11, 2025
* Geno Germano	Director	February 11, 2025
* Elizabeth Barrett	Director	February 11, 2025
* George Golumbeski, Ph.D.	Director	February 11, 2025
* Jessica Federer	Director	February 11, 2025

* By:	/s/ Barry E. Greene
	Barry E. Greene
	Attorney-in-Fact