Alkermes Unveils New Research on ALKS 2680 at SLEEP 2025 Conference
Alkermes Unveils New Research on ALKS 2680 at SLEEP 2025 Conference
Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) has announced a series of important presentations focusing on ALKS 2680 at the upcoming SLEEP 2025 conference, scheduled for June 8-11, 2025, in Seattle. This event celebrates the 38th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) and will highlight the latest advancements in sleep medicine.
Overview of ALKS 2680
ALKS 2680 is an innovative oral medication currently in phase 2 development as a once-daily treatment option targeting narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and type 2 (NT2) as well as idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). This investigational drug functions as an orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) agonist, aiming to improve symptoms associated with these conditions, particularly excessive daytime sleepiness that significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
At the SLEEP 2025, Alkermes plans to present eight posters and two oral presentations featuring insights from various studies. Key research includes:
1. Quantitative EEG Findings: The dual presentation highlights exploratory results from ALKS 2680's phase 1b study. The findings reveal a statistically significant wake-associated electroencephalographic (EEG) profile compared to a placebo, underscoring the drug's potential efficacy in altering sleep state dynamics for those with NT1, NT2, and IH.
2. Phase 1 Study Results: Data pooled from the phase 1b study indicates that single doses of ALKS 2680 were well tolerated across all evaluated doses, showing substantial improvement in mean sleep latency—a critical measure of wakefulness—in patients diagnosed with NT1, NT2, or IH.
3. Cardiac Safety Profile: An analysis conducted in healthy volunteers revealed no adverse effects of ALKS 2680 on QTc prolongation, heart rate, or cardiac conduction, which is essential for determining medication safety.
4. Insights on Burden of Narcolepsy: Findings from a retrospective cross-sectional analysis from the 2021/2023 U.S. National Health and Wellness Survey provide significant data regarding the clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of narcolepsy.
Dr. Marcus Yountz, Alkermes’ Vice President of Clinical Development, will lead an oral presentation summarizing the development program for ALKS 2680, alongside the company's broader strategies in advancing orexin biology for treating sleep disorders. He emphasizes the transformative potential of ALKS 2680 in the treatment of hypersomnolence disorders, stating, “The breadth of posters that Alkermes is presenting at this year's SLEEP meeting underscores this potential and demonstrates our leadership in orexin biology.”
The Vibrance Studies
The ongoing Vibrance studies, including Vibrance-1, Vibrance-2, and Vibrance-3, are part of the company's commitment to evaluating ALKS 2680 across the narcolepsy spectrum and idiopathic hypersomnia. These randomized phase 2 clinical trials are exploring the safety and efficacy of the medication compared to placebo, looking at various dosing regimens to find an optimal therapeutic outcome.
Focus on Patient Experience
A particularly interesting aspect of this research is the in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with patients suffering from idiopathic hypersomnia. The interviews shed light on the diagnosis journey, presenting symptoms, and the overall burden faced by these patients. This perspective is critical in understanding how medications like ALKS 2680 can better align with patient needs and expectations in real-world settings.
Alkermes’ Commitment to Innovation
Founded with a mission to innovate in neuroscience, Alkermes has established a robust pipeline catering to a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Apart from ALKS 2680, the company continues to research and develop new treatment options to address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. The upcoming presentations at SLEEP 2025 aim to contribute to the broader discourse on sleep disorders and highlight the importance of targeted therapies in improving the lives of those affected.
For more detailed information on the presentations or to view the abstracts, interested parties can visit the SLEEP Meeting website.
In conclusion, Alkermes is poised to make significant advancements in the treatment of narcolepsy and insomnia with ALKS 2680, promising a new horizon for patients battling these debilitating conditions.