Alkermes plc will present new data related to ALKS 2680, the company’s novel, investigational orexin-2 receptor (OX2R) agonist in development for the treatment of narcolepsy, at World Sleep Congress, taking place Oct. 20-25 in Rio de Janeiro. 

In an oral presentation, the company will present initial data from its ongoing phase 1 study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ALKS 2680 in healthy volunteers and patients with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. This presentation will include initial clinical proof-of-concept data from the first cohort of four patients with narcolepsy type 1.

In a separate oral presentation, the company will share results from a preclinical study evaluating the effect of ALKS 2680 (RDC-264177) on wakefulness and cataplexy in a mouse model of narcolepsy type 1. In a poster presentation, the company will also share findings from recently completed structured interviews evaluating the diagnosis journey and symptoms of people living with narcolepsy type 1 and type 2.

“The design and development of ALKS 2680 is grounded in Alkermes’ strong medicinal chemistry capabilities coupled with a strong biological rationale for the use of orexin agonists in the treatment of narcolepsy,” says Craig Hopkinson, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president of research and development at Alkermes, in a release. “As a leader in the field of neuroscience, Alkermes is excited to leverage its expertise in pursuit of the development of a potential new treatment option for narcolepsy. We look forward to presenting data at the World Sleep Congress, including our first clinical data for ALKS 2680 in patients with narcolepsy.”

Details of the presentations are as follows:

Oral presentations

Abstract: #1600

  • Title: Preliminary results from a phase 1 study of ALKS 2680, an orexin-2 receptor agonist, in healthy participants and patients with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Presenter: Brendon Yee, PhD, Woolcock Institute for Medical Research
  • Presentation date/time: Oct 23 from 9:13–9:26 am BRT

Abstract: #1337 

  • Title: Evaluation of a novel, orally available orexin-2 receptor agonist on wakefulness and cataplexy in a mouse model of type 1 narcolepsy
  • Presenter: Brian Raymer, PhD, Alkermes
  • Presentation date/time: Oct. 25 from 9–9:13 am BRT

Poster presentation

Abstract: #1329

  • Title: Diagnosis and symptoms of narcolepsy from the patient perspective: results from in-depth qualitative interviews
  • Presenter: Bhaskar Rege, PhD, Alkermes
  • Presentation date/time: Oct 23 from 6–7 pm BRT

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