Eisai Co., Ltd. has launched its in-house developed anti-insomnia drug Dayvigo in Hong Kong, a first for the drug in Asia outside of Japan.
Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that its Hong Kong subsidiary Eisai (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. has launched the in-house-discovered and developed orexin receptor antagonist Dayvigo (generic name: lemborexant) for the treatment of adults with insomnia, characterised by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. Eisai received approval for Dayvigo in Hong Kong on February 28, 2021, and this launch is the first for Dayvigo in Asia outside of Japan.
Dayvigo is a dual orexin receptor antagonist that inhibits orexin neurotransmission regulating sleep-wake rhythm by binding competitively to the two subtypes of orexin receptors (OX1R and OX2R). Dayvigo acts on the orexin neurotransmitter system and is believed to facilitate sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and wake by regulating sleep-wake rhythm.
Dayvigo binds to orexin receptors OX1R and OX2R and acts as a competitive antagonist with a stronger inhibitive effect on OX2R, which suppresses both REM and non-REM sleep drive, such that Dayvigo may provide faster sleep onset and better sleep maintenance to patients.
Dayvigo was launched in the U.S. and Canada for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia, characterised by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance; and in Japan for the treatment of insomnia. In addition, applications for approval have been submitted to the respective regulatory authorities in Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, and Eisai plans to further expand submissions of applications for approval in other countries.
Insomnia is characterised by the difficulty of falling asleep, staying asleep or both, despite an adequate opportunity to sleep, which can lead to daytime consequences, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Insomnia is one of the most common sleep-wake disorders and is estimated that approximately 30 per cent of adults worldwide have symptoms of insomnia. In Hong Kong, over 35 per cent of adults are reported to have symptoms of insomnia. In particular, older adults also have a higher prevalence rate with many experiencing insomnia symptoms for months to years. As a result, insomnia causes various social losses, such as long absences and reduced productivity. It can also increase the risk of falls in older adults.
Eisai will continue its efforts to deliver Dayvigo as a new treatment option to insomnia patients across the world with the hope of contributing to the restoration of daytime function and recovery for patients with insomnia by potentially delivering an active daytime life through fast sleep onset and good quality sleep. [APBN]
Source: Eisai Co., Ltd.