Takeda have announced, on 14 July 2025, positive progress in the trials of their drug Oveporexton (TAK-861) for narcolepsy type 1.
This drug is potentially an oral “orexin receptor 2 selective agonist”.
Narcolepsy type 1 (ie narcolepsy with cataplexy) is caused by the loss of orexin-producing neurons in the brain.
Orexin agonists are designed to address this underlying orexin deficiency.
The drug is intended to stimulate the orexin receptor 2 to restore signaling and address the underlying orexin deficiency that causes narcolepsy type 1.
By activating these receptors, Oveporexton is designed to promote wakefulness and reduce abnormal rapid eye movement sleep-like phenomena, including cataplexy, to address the broad spectrum of daytime and night time symptoms seen with narcolepsy.
The full press release from Takeda can be read here – Takeda Pharmaceuticals
