Exciting news for the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) community! Newly unveiled data from Harmony Biosciences' phase 2 study reveals promising impacts of pitolisant (Wakix) on PWS patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Harmony Biosciences plans to kick off its phase 3 TEMPO study later this year, aiming to dive deeper into the potential of this treatment option.
The study's findings highlighted significant positive effects of pitolisant, particularly in the higher-dose group. In children aged 6 to 12, improvements were noted in various behavioral domains, including irritability and social withdrawal, painting a hopeful picture for the PWS community.
"We recognize the urgency for innovative treatments that help alleviate the profound unmet medical needs of individuals with PWS and their dedicated caregivers," said Dr. Kumar Budur, Harmony Biosciences' Chief Medical Officer.
Moreover, the study demonstrated noteworthy reductions in EDS severity and improvements in hyperphagia, further underlining the potential of pitolisant. With a safety profile in line with expectations, the study marks a crucial step forward in addressing the unmet needs of the PWS community.
The findings are set to inform the upcoming phase 3 study, emphasizing Harmony Biosciences' dedication to pioneering solutions for PWS. Stay tuned for more updates and click the button below to read the full announcement.
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Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.