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News
A new non-stimulant drug for ADHD is turning heads. ALKS 7290, an orexin-2 receptor agonist developed by Alkermes, showed "clinically meaningful" symptom improvements in adults with ADHD in a phase 1B study — with effects visible as early as day 6. Both doses tested were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events, setting the stage for a larger phase 2 trial.
A new non-stimulant drug for ADHD is turning heads. ALKS 7290, an orexin-2 receptor agonist developed by Alkermes, showed "clinically meaningful" improvements in adult ADHD symptoms in a phase 1B proof-of-concept study — marking the first clinical evidence that targeting the orexin pathway could be effective for the condition. The drug works by engaging the orexin system, a neuropeptide network in the brain linked to attention, cognition, and mood.
In the double-blind study, 50 adults with ADHD received either 20 mg or 50 mg of ALKS 7290 daily (in split doses) or placebo over 14 inpatient days. Symptom improvements were seen on both the AISRS and CGI-S scales as early as day 6, and no participants on the drug dropped out. Both doses were well tolerated, with only mild side effects like insomnia and dizziness reported.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Current ADHD treatments rely heavily on stimulants, which can be problematic for patients with comorbid psychotic disorders. A well-tolerated, non-stimulant option that targets a novel pathway could be a game-changer for underserved patient populations — if phase 2 results hold up.
