UCL research into histamine H3-receptors has led to the development of a new drug that’s improving the lives of people with narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a disabling, long-term neurological disease that affects 1 in 2,000 individuals (approximately 30,000 people in the UK and 165,000 people in the US). The condition often has a debilitating impact on the quality of life of the affected individuals, with two-thirds of patients being unable to work.Â
But, now thanks to UCL research, a new drug is helping to change that. Professor Robin Ganellin FRS, from UCL Chemistry, provided a new chemical approach to a drug for increasing histamine transmission in the brain that enhances alertness and wakefulness in c narcolepsy patients.
This discovery has led to the development and commercialisation of a medication called pitolisant (Wakixâ„¢), by two companies: Bioprojet in Europe and Harmony Biosciences in the USA.
Pitolisant, the first new therapy in over a decade, has changed the way narcolepsy is managed for thousands of patients around the globe. Â Â
The drug has since been approved for use in the UK and US. As of 30 June 2020, over 1,750 unique health care providers have prescribed Wakixâ„¢ since it became available in November 2019, representing 2,700 unique patients. Â
Thanks to the licensing agreement between Bioprojet and Harmony Biosciences, Harmony Biosciences raised $270 million in equity funding from 29 investors to fuel the company’s continued growth. Since its launch in November 2019, the drug has accounted for net sales of $57.8 million for Harmony Biosciences.
Read the full story on the UCL Research Impact website