Daridorexant: First Approval

Daridorexant (Quviviq (TM); Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) is an orally administered dual orexin type 1 and type 2 (OX1 and OX2) receptor antagonist (DORA) being developed for the treatment of insomnia. It was selected from a pool of drug candidates on the basis of an expected effect duration of approximate to 8 h at a dose of 25 mg, with a half-life intended to minimize residual effects that might impair daytime functioning. Based on the results of two pivotal phase III trials, daridorexant was recently approved in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of daridorexant leading to this first approval.

Automated summary

Daridorexant, an orally administered dual orexin receptor antagonist, has been approved in the USA for the treatment of insomnia based on the results of pivotal phase III trials.