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Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces Health Canada Approval of Sunosi® (solriamfetol) for Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Associated with Narcolepsy or Obstructive Sleep Apnea

August 31, 2021
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DUBLIN, Aug. 31, 2021 /CNW/ - Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ) today announced the Health Canada approval and availability of Sunosi® (solriamfetol) for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adult patients. Once-daily Sunosi is approved with doses of 75 mg and 150 mg.1 

Sunosi is the first dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI) approved to treat EDS in adults living with narcolepsy or OSA.1  

EDS is characterized by the inability to stay awake and alert during the day resulting in unplanned lapses into sleep or drowsiness.11,13,16 Major contributors to EDS are narcolepsy, a chronic, debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally2,3,4, and OSA, a condition where a person's breathing stops for brief periods of time when they sleep.1

The approval of Sunosi is based on data from the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy Excessive Sleepiness (TONES) Phase 3 clinical program which enrolled over 1,500 adults in four randomized placebo-controlled studies. Data from the studies in the TONES program demonstrated the superiority of solriamfetol relative to placebo. The efficacy of Sunosi in reducing EDS in patients with narcolepsy or OSA was assessed in the pivotal studies, two randomized, 12-week, placebo-controlled studies, Study 14-002 (TONES 2, narcolepsy patients) and Study 14-003 (TONES 3, OSA patients). At Week 12 of these trials, 150 mg of solriamfetol for narcolepsy patients and both 75 mg and 150 mg doses for OSA patients demonstrated significant improvements in wakefulness and reduced sleepiness compared to placebo as assessed via the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale respectively (ESS). Furthermore, the increase in the MWT sleep latency was maintained through nine-hours from morning dosing. Up to 78% of the narcolepsy patients and up to 90% of the OSA patients taking 150 mg reported feeling better as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIc) scale. The efficacy of Sunosi was shown be maintained for at least 6 months in a long-term open label follow up study (TONES 5).

In TONES 2 and 3, the most common treatment emergent adverse events reported in patients treated with Sunosi (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo) in either the narcolepsy or OSA populations were headache, nausea, decreased appetite, anxiety and insomnia.

"The Health Canada approval of Sunosi represents an important advancement for Canadians living with chronic, and often debilitating, sleep disorders. Excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition with limited treatment options available," said Paul Petrelli, general manager, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "Jazz is proud to introduce this new therapeutic option to the Canadian market as we continue innovating to transform the lives of patients and their families."

 About Sunosi® (solriamfetol)
Sunosi is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI) indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea in adult patients. Sunosi is not indicated to treat the underlying causes of airway obstruction in OSA.1 It is important that the underlying airway obstruction is treated with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine or other device prescribed by a doctor during treatment with Sunosi for excessive daytime sleepiness in OSA.1 Modalities to treat the underlying airway obstruction should be continued. Sunosi is not a substitute for these modalities.

In 2014, Jazz Pharmaceuticals acquired a license to develop and commercialize Sunosi from Aerial Biopharma. Jazz Pharmaceuticals has worldwide development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights to Sunosi, excluding certain jurisdictions in Asia. SK Biopharmaceuticals, the discoverer of the compound, maintains rights in 12 Asian markets, including Korea, China, and Japan.

 Important Safety Information for Canada

Sunosi should not be taken by those who:

  • Are allergic to this drug or to any ingredient in the formulation including any nonmedicinal ingredient, or component of the container'
  • Are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression or for Parkinson's Disease, or who have taken MAOI within the last 14 days.
  • Have or have had the following in the past one year: myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, chest pain (angina), high blood pressure that is not under control, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), or other serious heart conditions.
  • Have had kidney problems or end stage kidney failure.

For more information, please refer to the product monograph for Sunosi in Canada located here.

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness 
Obstructive sleep apnea, commonly referred to as sleep apnea, is a highly prevalent disease in which excessive daytime sleepiness is a major presenting complaint in many cases. A consistent finding is that OSA affects more men than women. 5, 6 In 2016 and 2017, 6.4% of Canadians had reported they had been diagnosed for sleep apnea by a health care professional7 which was higher than results from a 2009 survey which found that the prevalence of self-reported sleep apnea was only 3% among adults 18 years and older.8

Positive Airway Pressure therapy, with its most common form being CPAP, has been shown to be an effective therapy for sleep apnea that frequently results in improvement in excessive daytime sleepiness in many patients; however, not all patients tolerate CPAP therapy and among those who tolerate CPAP, usage is highly variable. Excessive daytime sleepiness may persist in people with sleep apnea despite using CPAP.9,10  

About Narcolepsy  
Narcolepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, and the inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally.11 Narcolepsy, although uncommon, is not a rare disorder, with symptoms typically appearing in childhood. The estimated prevalence is about 1 in 2000 individuals in the US and Europe,12,13 a figure that would extrapolate to about 15,000 patients in Canada.14 It is estimated that more than 50% of patients with narcolepsy have not been diagnosed15. Studies have shown it may take 10 years or more for people with narcolepsy to receive a diagnosis16. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the primary symptom of narcolepsy and is present in all people with the disorder17. Excessive daytime sleepiness is characterized by the inability to stay awake and alert during the day resulting in unplanned lapses into sleep or drowsiness.11,13,18 There are five primary symptoms of narcolepsy, including excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (when muscles suddenly go limp), sleep-related hallucinations, sleep paralysis and sleep disruption.19 While all patients with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, they may not experience all five symptoms. 15 

About Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc  
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases—often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines and novel product candidates, from early- to late-stage development, in neuroscience and oncology. Within these therapeutic areas, we are identifying new options for patients by actively exploring small molecules and biologics, and through innovative delivery technologies and cannabinoid science. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and has employees around the globe, serving patients in nearly 75 countries. For more information, please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com and follow @JazzPharma on Twitter. 

 References:

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 1   Jazz Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. SUNOSI® (solriamfetol) Product Monograph. May 12, 2021. Available at: https://pp.jazzpharma.com/pi/sunosi.ca.PM-en.pdf Accessed August 30, 2021.

 2   Thorpy MJ. Recently Approved and Upcoming Treatments for Narcolepsy. CNS Drugs. 2020;34(1):9-27. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00689-1

 3   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). 2020, March 16. Narcolepsy Fact Sheet. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/fact-sheets/narcolepsy-fact-sheet. Accessed August 2021

 4   Thorpy MJ, Bogan RK. Update on the pharmacologic management of narcolepsy: mechanisms of action and clinical implications. Sleep Med. 2020;68:97-109. Doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2019.09.001

 5   Sleepfoundation.org. (2019). Sleep Apnea | National Sleep Foundation. [online] Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea [Accessed August 30,2021].

 6   Peppard AE, et al. Increased Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Adults. Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177(9):1006-1014.

 7   Canadian Health Measures Survey, Cyde 5. (2016 and 2017), Retrieved August 9, 2021, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-625-x/2018001/article/54979-eng.htm.

 8   Public Health Agency of Canada. 2013; What is the Impact of Sleep Apnea on Canadians? Fast Facts from the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey – Sleep Apnea Rapid Response. (Accessed August 30, 2021).

 9   Publish date: May 10, 2012, & Author(s): Bruce Jancin. (2019, January 18). Persistent Daytime Sleepiness Common Despite Effective CPAP. Pulmonary Health Hub. https://www.mdedge.com/pulmonary-health-hub/article/54447/sleep-medicine/persistent-daytime-sleepiness-common-despite.

 10   Castiglioni, P., Lombardi, C., Cortelli, P., & Parati, G. (2012, January 1). Why excessive sleepiness may persist in OSA patients receiving adequate CPAP treatment. European Respiratory Society. https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/39/1/226.

 11   Thorpy, M. and Krieger, A. (2014). Delayed diagnosis of narcolepsy: characterization and impact. Sleep Medicine, 15(5), pp.502-507.

 12   Hale L. In: Goswami M, Pandi-Perumal SR, Thorpy MJ, eds. Narcolepsy: A Clinical Guide. New York City: Springer; 2010:47-53.

 13   Ohayon et al. Neurology 2002;58(12):1826-33.

 14   Narcolepsy therapeutics: Targeting dominant symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2021, from https://www.mednet.ca/en/report/narcolepsy-therapeutics--targeting-dominant-symp.html 

 15   Ahmed I, Thorpy, M. Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment of Narcolepsy. Clin Chest Med. 2010;31(2):371-381.

 16   Morrish E, King M, et al. Factors associated with a delay in the diagnosis of narcolepsy. Sleep Medicine. 2004;5(1):37-41

 17   Sateia, M. (2014). International Classification of Sleep Disorders-Third Edition. Chest, 146(5), pp.1387-1394.

 18    Ahmed I, Thorpy, M. Sleepiness: Causes, Consequences and Treatment, ed. Cambridge University Press. 2011:36-49.

 19   Narcolepsy Link. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2021, from https://www.narcolepsylink.com/screening-and-diagnosis/recognizing-symptoms/

 

SOURCE Jazz Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc