Takeda To Reveal New Data On Narcolepsy Drug TAK-861 At Sleep Europe 2024

At Sleep Europe 2024, the 27th Congress of the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS), taking place from September 24-27 in Seville, Spain, Takeda will unveil new data from the Phase 2b trials and long-term extension study of TAK-861 in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and narcolepsy type 2 (NT2).

TAK-861, an investigational oral selective agonist targeting the orexin receptor 2 (OX2R), is designed to stimulate orexin receptors and address orexin deficiency in NT1. This could make TAK-861 the first therapy to target the root cause of NT1. Following promising Phase 2b results, Takeda has launched the FirstLight Study, a global Phase 3 trial assessing TAK-861's safety and efficacy in adults with NT1.

Takeda’s upcoming scientific presentations feature a podium session focused on the effects of TAK-861 on cognitive impairment (Abstract No: 781) and several poster sessions exploring additional findings, such as the impact on nocturnal sleep quality and sustained attention. Additionally, an interim safety and efficacy analysis from the ongoing long-term extension study (Poster No: P1291) will be showcased.

Elena Koundourakis, head, orexin franchise development & neuroscience programs and portfolio strategy at Takeda, stated ““People living with narcolepsy suffer from debilitating symptoms that significantly impact their daily life beyond excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. As leaders in orexin science, we continue to develop one of the most extensive clinical datasets of orexin agonists, with some patients reaching one year of treatment within our clinical studies. The data we are presenting at Sleep Europe add to the body of orexin agonist data we are building to improve our understanding of orexin biology and the potential of our investigative study drug TAK-861 towards establishing a new standard of care for the NT1 community.”

These presentations contribute to advancing the scientific community's knowledge of how OX2R agonists could transform treatment options for NT1 patients. Takeda remains committed to developing customized therapies for individuals affected by sleep-wake disorders, such as narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia.