Alkermes’ narcolepsy drug shows promise in mid-stage trial
-Alkermes’ experimental drug significantly improved wakefulness and reduced excessive sleepiness in patients with a rare sleep disorder in a mid-stage study, it said on Wednesday.
The company was testing the drug, alixorexton, in patients with narcolepsy type 2, a chronic neurological disorder that disrupts the brain’s ability to control sleep and wake cycles.
The drug was generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate, the company said.
This is the first time an oral drug targeting the orexin 2 receptor has shown effectiveness in treating this condition, Alkermes said. Orexin is a brain chemical that regulates wakefulness.
