MA-TAKEDA-PHARMACEUTICAL
3.6.2024 12:46:31 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Takeda (TSE: 4502/NYSE:TAK) will present today positive results from its Phase 2b trial of TAK-861 in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) as late-breaking data presentations at SLEEP 2024, the 38th annual meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. TAK-861 is an investigational oral orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist and, based on the results, has the potential to provide transformative efficacy in addressing the overall disease burden in people with NT1. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose trial, TAK-861-2001 (NCT05687903), in 112 patients with NT1 demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across primary and secondary endpoints, with efficacy sustained over 8 weeks of treatment.*
NT1 is a chronic, rare neurological central disorder of hypersomnolence caused by a significant loss of orexin neurons, resulting in low levels of orexin neuropeptides in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. No currently approved treatments target the underlying pathophysiology of NT1. People with NT1 suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), disrupted nighttime sleep, hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. These debilitating symptoms lead to a markedly reduced quality of life and can severely impact job performance, academic achievement and personal relationships. TAK-861 is designed to address the orexin deficiency in NT1 by selectively stimulating the orexin receptor 2.
The presentation highlights results from the Phase 2b trial including:
- The primary endpoint demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful increased sleep latency on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) versus placebo across all doses (LS mean difference versus placebo all p ≤0.001). Improvements were sustained over 8 weeks.
- Consistent results were achieved in the key secondary endpoints including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Weekly Cataplexy Rate (WCR), demonstrating significantly improved subjective measures of sleepiness and cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone) frequency versus placebo that were also sustained over 8 weeks.
- The majority of NT1 patients in the trial were found to be within normative ranges for MWT and ESS by the end of the 8-week treatment period as a result of these sustained improvements.
- The majority of the participants who completed the trial enrolled in the long-term extension (LTE) study with some patients reaching one year of treatment.
- The trial also included additional exploratory endpoints that showed meaningful improvements in narcolepsy symptoms and functioning according to most participants. These data will also be presented in poster presentations at SLEEP and at future scientific congresses.
- The dataset showed that TAK-861 was generally safe and well tolerated during the study, with no treatment-related serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) or discontinuations due to TEAEs.
- No cases of hepatotoxicity or visual disturbances were reported in the Phase 2b trial or in the ongoing LTE study. The most common TEAEs were insomnia, urinary urgency and frequency, and salivary hypersecretion. Most TEAEs were mild to moderate in severity, and most started within 1-2 days of treatment and were transient.
“In this trial, TAK-861's profile balanced efficacy and safety with the potential to establish a new standard of care for people with NT1,” said Sarah Sheikh, M.D., M.Sc., B.M., B.Ch., MRCP, Head, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit and Head, Global Development at Takeda. “We are dedicated to investigating the full potential of orexin biology and advancing TAK-861 to late-stage clinical trials, with the ultimate goal of delivering a potential first-in-class treatment that can make a meaningful difference for patients.”
Based on these results, and in consultation with global health authorities, Takeda plans to initiate global Phase 3 trials of TAK-861 in NT1 in the first half of its fiscal year 2024. The Phase 2b data also supported the recent Breakthrough Therapy designation for TAK-861 for the treatment of EDS in NT1 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Breakthrough Therapy designation is a process designed to expedite the development and review of a drug that is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition, for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies on at least one clinically significant endpoint.
Takeda will be hosting a call to discuss these data this evening, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT for investors and analysts. Presentation slides and a virtual meeting link will be available here.
Additional presentations on TAK-861 will be shared during the SLEEP 2024 poster presentation session on Tuesday, June 4, from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. CT, assessing function and health-related quality of life in individuals with NT1, as well as patient satisfaction with TAK-861 treatment.
There is no change in Takeda’s full year consolidated forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2024), announced on May 9, 2024.
About Takeda’s Orexin Franchise
Takeda is advancing the field of orexin therapeutics with a multi-asset franchise offering tailored treatments to unlock the full potential of orexin. Orexin is a key regulator of the sleep-wake cycle and is involved in other essential functions, including respiration and metabolism. TAK-861 is the leading program in this franchise. The company is also progressing multiple orexin agonists in patient populations with normal levels of orexin neuropeptides and other indications where orexin biology is implicated. This includes TAK-360, an oral OX2R agonist being investigated for narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia, which recently initiated a Phase 1 trial and received Fast Track designation from the U.S. FDA, and danavorexton (TAK-925), an intravenously administered OX2R agonist being investigated in a Phase 2 trial in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea undergoing general anesthesia.
About Takeda
Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.
* The topline results were announced on February 8, 2024, via a press release, “Takeda Intends to Rapidly Initiate the First Global Phase 3 Trials of TAK-861, an Oral Orexin Agonist, in Narcolepsy Type 1 in First Half of Fiscal Year 2024.”
Important Notice
For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question-and-answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, “Takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takeda’s operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results.
Medical Information
This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240531655762/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Incyte Announces Positive CHMP Opinion for Zynyz® (retifanlimab) for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (SCAC)30.1.2026 15:29:00 CET | Press release
Pending the European Commission decision, Zynyz® (retifanlimab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (platinum-based chemotherapy) will be the first PD-1 immunotherapy treatment for patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) in EuropeGlobally, the prevalence of SCAC is estimated at around 1 or 2 cases per 100,000 people, with a higher incidence in women than in men1,2,3The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) positive opinion is based on data from the Phase 3 POD1UM-303/InterAACT2 trial which showed patients with advanced SCAC achieved significantly improved progression-free survival with Zynyz in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as a first-line treatment4 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion recommending the approval of Zynyz® (retifanlimab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (
Mediawan to Acquire The North Road Company, Creating a New Global Independent Content Platform30.1.2026 13:32:00 CET | Press release
Mediawan, the leading independent European studio led by Pierre-Antoine Capton, co-founded by Capton, Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse, today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire The North Road Company (“North Road”), the preeminent independent U.S.-based studio founded by Peter Chernin. The combination creates one of the world’s largest independent studios with major creative hubs in the five continents and capabilities spanning all genres, formats and audiences. Together, Mediawan and North Road will have a stronger ability to accelerate the development of powerful IP, foster fresh creative synergies through format adaptations and co-production opportunities, and deliver ever greater value to viewers, talent and partners worldwide. The acquisition brings together two of the most dynamic independent studios in the sector with world-class creative talent, premium IP, and the scale to deliver content at the highest level. In an industry undergoing significant consolidation,
BrightSign Powers Intelligent Signage Experiences at ISE 202630.1.2026 09:00:00 CET | Press release
The Latest Players and AI Capabilities Drive Captivating, Personalized, and Interactive Signage With more industries embracing the power of visual storytelling, BrightSign, the provider of the most advanced, capable, and trusted digital media players and operating system, will showcase the latest developments in digital signage technology at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, Spain from February 3-6, 2026. BrightSign’s latest innovations come to life at booth #4S-150 through interactive real-world demos featuring retail, QSR, transportation, and corporate use cases. Visitors can test new AI-powered object detection capabilities of BrightSign players, allowing them to pick up an object and see the content on the screen respond immediately. Booth activations will be powered by BrightSign’s reliable platform including bsn.Control, BrightSignOS™, brightAuthor connected, and its global partner ecosystem. “In today’s immersive, personalized and visual world, the stakes have never been higher for powerfu
Candela Ushers in a New Era of Aesthetic Innovation at IMCAS Paris With the Launch of the Glacē™ System30.1.2026 08:30:00 CET | Press release
Iconic Vbeam® Pro and Matrix™ Systems showcased ahead of broader commercial availability Candela, a global leader in energy-based aesthetic technologies, today announced the European launch of the Glacē™ System, a facial treatment platform that signals a bold new chapter for the company and the future of aesthetic medicine. In addition to the launch of the Glacē System, Candela will also showcase its Matrix system for radiofrequency-based skin renewal and its iconic Vbeam® Pro vascular treatment platform at IMCAS 2026. Both Matrix and VBeam Pro platforms are currently available in select EMEA markets and are expected to be comprehensively launched shortly, further strengthening Candela’s leadership in the energy-based device market. Unveiled at the IMCAS World Congress 2026, these launches underscore Candela’s continued commitment to delivering innovative, science-backed treatment solutions for high-demand patient needs. Candela leads the industry in clinical efficacy and safety, suppo
Merz Therapeutics Appoints Dan Staner as President, Region Europe30.1.2026 08:00:00 CET | Press release
Merz Therapeutics today announced the appointment of Dan Staner as President, Region Europe, effective February 1, 2026. In this role, Dan will oversee the company’s European business and drive regional growth. Dan will report directly to Merz Therapeutics Chief Executive Officer, Stefan König, and will join the Therapeutics Executive Team. His appointment reflects the company’s continued commitment to strengthening its leadership capabilities and accelerating its growth strategy across key European markets. “Dan brings a strong track record of building and scaling biopharmaceutical businesses across Europe,” said Stefan König, CEO of Merz Therapeutics. “His deep commercial, strategic, and regional leadership experience will be instrumental in advancing our growth ambitions, expanding patient access to our therapies, and further strengthening our presence in Europe. We are very pleased to welcome Dan to Merz Therapeutics.” Throughout his career, Dan has held senior leadership roles i
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
