Craig Hopkinson
Analyst · Evercore ISI. Please proceed with your question
Good morning. I'm pleased to join you with an update on the development programs for our orexin 2 receptor agonist portfolio. Our ALPS 2680 program, focusing on central disorders of hypersomnolence, is advancing with strong momentum. Investigators across the Phase 2 program are gaining experience in the studies, and with the clinical trial network now largely established, screening and enrollment accelerated significantly in the narcolepsy studies in the first quarter. We look forward to further harnessing that interest and enthusiasm in our idiopathic hypersomnia Phase I2 study and for potential Phase 3 studies. At the same time, we are moving forward aggressively to expand our research into new disease areas for orexin 2 receptor agonists. A couple of years ago, we initiated Project Saturn with the goal of advancing new molecules for a broad range of disorders. This year, we plan to start the clinical work underpinning the strategy. The orexin 2 receptor agonist pathway has broad potential applicability, and we are a leader in evaluating the utility of this novel pharmacology. With that as an introduction, let's start with ALPS 2680. In the Phase 1b study, we completed last year, ALPS 2680 demonstrated a highly potent clinical profile in the intended patient populations. In that study, we established initial safety, efficacy, tolerability and dose response profiles across Narcolepsy Type 1, Narcolepsy Type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia. The key objective of the Phase 2 program is to more fully elaborate the dose response curve in larger patient populations, define the lower and upper limits in terms of both efficacy and tolerability and inform dose selection for the planned Phase 3 program. The Phase 2 program is well underway. Vibrance-1 is a six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study in Narcolepsy Type 1 or NT1. NT1 is defined by an absence of erection-producing neurons in the hypothalamus. People living with NT1 experience both excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone. The primary endpoint of Vibrance-1 is a change from baseline in the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, or MWT. MWT is a quantitative measure of how long patients can stay awake. The study will also evaluate secondary endpoints, including change from baseline in weekly cataplexy rates, as well as change from baseline on EPO sleepiness scale, which is a patient-reported measure of a patient's situation or likelihood of falling asleep. As clinical trial sites were initiated and gained experience in the studies, investigator interest intensified, and enrollment in Vibrance-1 is now complete. We expect to report top-line data from Vibrance-1 early in the third quarter. Narcolepsy type 2 or NT2 is a more heterogeneous disease compared to NT1. People living with NT2 may have more functional or normal erection systems. However, they still experience excessive daytime sleepiness. Vibrance-2 is an eight-week, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-designed Phase 2 study in NT2. In this study, we plan to evaluate changes from baseline in both MWT and Epworth as dual primary endpoints. Vibrance-2 will generate the largest data set to date for an orexin 2 receptor agonist in the NT2 population. We have strong momentum in screening and enrollment, and expect to complete enrollment mid-year and have top-line data in the fall. The most recent developments in the ALKS 2680 program is the initiation of Vibrance-3, our Phase 2 study in idiopathic hypersomnia. Vibrance-3 is similar to Vibrance-2, in terms of the three doses being studied, 10 milligrams, 14 milligrams and 18 milligrams, as well as the 8-week duration of the randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel design. The primary endpoint in this study is the change from baseline in EPO scale. The study will also evaluate changes in idiopathic hypersomnia severity scale as a secondary endpoint. And we expect data from this study in mid-2026. We're focused on capitalizing on our momentum and preparations for Phase 3 studies, so that we can move as quickly as possible once we have Phase 2 data in hand. We've established a robust clinical trial network with more than 45 sites initiated to support the Phase 2 program and expect to be able to leverage this network and our clinical relationships to streamline operational study start-up timelines for Phase 3. Preparations for other Phase 3 work streams, including manufacturing of clinical supply, study design planning and key regulatory interactions, are also underway. We expect to exit Phase 2 with strong momentum and are focused on carrying that momentum forward into Phase 3. I'll finish with a quick update on our Project Saturn initiative. Orexin 2 receptor agonists have been shown preclinically to activate neurocircuitry associated with mood, attention, vigilance and cognition. Project Saturn is focused on harnessing these effects in the treatment of other diseases outside of hypersomnia disorders. We are on track to advance two additional orexin 2 receptor agonists into first-in-human studies this year. ALKS 4510 will be the first with single ascending dose studies expected to commence in the coming weeks. ALKS 7290 is anticipated to follow later this year. These two compounds share certain similarities with ALKS 2680, but will have their own unique pharmacokinetic and pharmaceutical properties. Once the initial pharmaceutical profiles are established in healthy volunteers, we plan to move quickly into disease relevant studies and to establish proof-of-concept and indications of interest. The spectrum of disorders under consideration ranges from rare neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases to broader neuropsychiatric disorders, each seeking to harness the orexin system to drive wakefulness, attention, cognition, and activate downstream neurocircuitry related to mood and other domains. Our preclinical work is ongoing and continues to support the potential of the orexin pathway. Alkermes is well-positioned as a leader in development in this exciting new therapeutic category in sleep disorders and beyond. And with that, I'll hand the call back to Rich.