Pitolisant for the Treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Study Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pitolisant compared with placebo in treating excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) ages 6 to 65 years.

Secondary study objectives are to evaluate the impact of pitolisant on:

  • Behavioral symptoms 
  • Cognitive function
  • Safety and effectiveness of long-term treatment
  • Caregiver burden

The study will consist of a Screening Period, an 11-week Double-Blind Treatment Phase (including a 3-week Titration Period and an 8-week Stable Dose Period), and an optional Open Label Extension (OLE) Phase. The OLE Phase will be multi-year in duration and will continue until either pitolisant is approved for patients with PWS or the Sponsor elects to terminate the study.

 

 

Harmony Trial Requirements

Approximately 60 patients who meet all eligibility criteria will be randomized at the Baseline Visit in a 1:1:1 ratio to low dose pitolisant, high dose pitolisant, or matching placebo. In the Double-Blind Treatment Phase, patients will be titrated to their randomized stable dose of study drug during the 3-week Titration Period.

After completion of the 3-week Titration Period, patients will continue to take study drug at their randomized stable dose once daily in the morning upon wakening for an additional 8 weeks of blinded treatment (Stable Dose Period). The duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase will be 11 weeks.

Following the 11-week Double-Blind Treatment Phase, eligible patients will be given the opportunity to participate in an optional OLE Phase. During the OLE Phase, all eligible patients will receive treatment with open-label pitolisant and will undergo titration during a 3-week Titration Period to a maximum target dose based on their age. At the end of the 3-week Titration Period, patients will continue to take their target dose of pitolisant once daily in the morning upon wakening until the end of the study.

Learn more about what you can expect should you choose to participate in this 30-minute webinar:

 

Recruitment Criteria

Study Type: Interventional
Eligible Ages: 6-65 years
 

Trial Details

ClinicalTrials.Gov Id: NCT04257929
Phase: 2
Duration:  11 week double blind, placebo controlled study, followed by optional open label extension
Lead Sponsor: Harmony Biosciences
Countries: United States
Additional Details: 

Pitolisant Study Design

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Is able to provide voluntary, written informed consent (patient or parent[s]/legal guardian[s]) and, where applicable, voluntary, written assent (patient, as appropriate).
  2. Has a diagnosis of PWS confirmed by genetic testing and/or patient medical records. Genetic testing will be provided by the Sponsor, if not confirmed based on the review of the patient's medical records.
  3. Male or female patients ages 6 to 65 years at the time of enrollment.
  4. Demonstrates adequate sleep duration via patient sleep diary during Screening, defined as at least 8 hours of sleep per night for patients ages 6 to <12 years, at least 7 hours for patients ages 12 to <18 years, or at least 6 hours for patients ages ≥18 years, based on the mean number of hours from up to 14 nights (at least 7 nights must be recorded for evaluation).
  5. Has EDS as determined by Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) (parent/caregiver version) score of ≥12.
  6. If taking hormone treatments (including growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen supplements) and/or allowed chronic concomitant medication or supplements, patient must be on a stable dose of these medications for 3 months prior to randomization and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; a 10% variability in hormone dose is allowed.
  7. If taking a wake-promoting treatment that could affect EDS (including stimulants, modafinil, and armodafinil), must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
  8. If taking a chronically administered sedating medication for management of behavioral manifestations (e.g., hypnotics, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, alpha agonists, anticholinergics, and antidepressants) must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
  9. If using cannabidiol and/or tetrahydrocannabinol, patient must be on a stable dose for 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase).
  10. If taking oxytocin or carbetocin, patient must be on a stable dose during the 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
  11. A patient who is a female of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening Visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at the Baseline Visit and agree to remain abstinent or use an effective method of nonhormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy for the duration of the study and for 21 days after final dose of study drug.
  12. Has a consistent caregiver (preferably the same person throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study) who is willing and able to complete the required assessments.
  13. In the opinion of the Investigator, patient/parent(s)/legal guardian(s) is capable of understanding and complying with the requirements of the protocol and administration of oral study drug.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Has a diagnosis of another genetic or chromosomal disorder distinct from PWS.
  2. Has untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or is at high risk for OSA based on medical history and clinical assessment; or, has another relevant underlying sleep disorder that in the opinion of the Investigator is the primary contributing factor to the patient's EDS.
  3. Consistently consumes >600 mg of caffeine per day and is unable/unwilling to reduce caffeine intake to <600 mg per day for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; caffeine intake should remain consistent during Screening and throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study.
  4. Does not agree to discontinue any prohibited medication or substance listed in the protocol.
  5. Participation in an interventional research study involving another investigational medication or device in the 28 days prior to enrollment and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study, unless the Investigator consults with the Medical Monitor and obtains written approval for the patient to enroll; patients who complete a washout of an investigational medication of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) may be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Patients considering participation in another interventional research study in the OLE Phase must consult with the Investigator who will consult with the Medical Monitor.
  6. Has a primary psychiatric diagnosis with current active symptoms of psychosis or schizophrenia.
  7. Has a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of <15 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
  8. Has a diagnosis of moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR ≥15 to ≤59 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) at Screening or during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase.
  9. Has abnormal laboratory values at Screening that are clinically significant as determined by the Investigator.
  10. Has a known history of long QT syndrome or any significant history of a serious abnormality of the electrocardiogram (ECG; e.g., recent myocardial infarction, clinically significant arrhythmia) or QT interval corrected for heart rate according to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) >442 ms for patients ages 0 to <10 years and >439 ms for patients ages 10 to <20 years, regardless of gender, and >450 ms for male patients and >470 ms for female patients ages 20 to 65 years. (ECG QTcF = QT/3√ RR) (Mason et al 2007).
  11. Has a family history of sudden/unexplained death, cardiac death, or death from a primary dysrhythmia potentially associated with QT prolongation in any family member.
  12. If receiving any new or initiating a change in allied health therapies or interventions for symptoms of PWS, must be on a stable course of therapy for at least 28 days prior to randomization.
  13. Has a current or recent (within one year) history of a substance use disorder or dependence disorder, including alcohol and caffeine use disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V).
  14. Has planned surgery during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; planned surgery is permitted during the OLE Phase.
  15. Is receiving a concomitant medication that is known to be a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, or a centrally acting histamine 1 (H1) receptor antagonist; patients who complete a washout of these medications of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) can be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers is allowed during the OLE Phase; however, adjustment of pitolisant dose is required. Although not prohibited during the OLE Phase of the study, use of H1 receptor antagonists should be avoided.
  16. Is receiving a medication known to prolong the QT interval.
  17. Has a significant risk of committing suicide based on history, routine psychiatric examination, Investigator's judgment, or an answer of "yes" on any question other than questions 1 to 3 on the Very Young Child/Cognitively Impaired-Lifetime Recent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C SSRS).
  18. Has a history of seizures that have recently (within 6 months) been treated with antiepileptic medications that are strong CYP3A4 inducers. Patients with a history of seizures must have a stable seizure history (e.g., frequency and severity) for at least 6 months prior to enrollment.
  19. Is currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed over the course of the study. Lactating women must agree not to breastfeed for the duration of the study (Double-Blind Treatment Phase and OLE Phase) and for 21 days after final dose of study drug.
  20. Based on the judgment of the Investigator, patient is unsuitable for the study for any reason, including but not limited to unstable or uncontrolled medical conditions (including psychiatric and neurological conditions) or a medical condition that might interfere with the conduct of the study, confound interpretation of study results, pose a health risk to the patient, or compromise the integrity of the study.

Harmony Ph2 Clinical Trial Active Sites October 2021

 

This study will be available at the following sites:

Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego
San Diego, California, United States, 92123
Contact: Janelle Celso    858-576-1700 ext 220011    jcelso@rchsd.org   
Principal Investigator: Rakesh Bhattacharjee, MD         

Sleep Medicine Specialists of California
San Ramon, California, United States, 94583
Contact: Jenneca Lund    925-415-5353    jlund@sleepmds.com   
Principal Investigator: Haramandeep Singh, MD         

Santa Monica Clinical Trials
Santa Monica, California, United States, 90404
Contact: Maha Kazim    310-586-0843 ext 103    mkazim@smclinicaltrials.com   
Principal Investigator: Daniel Norman, MD          

Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
Contact: Andrea Martinsen       Andrea.Martinsen@childrenscolorado.org   
Principal Investigator: Shawn McCandless, MD      

Nemours Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, Delaware, United States, 19803
Contact: Kimberly Renner         
Contact    302-651-6536    Kimberly.Renner@nemours.org   
Principal Investigator: Aaron Chidekel, MD  

University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32608
Contact: Alexa Smith       alexa.howell@ufl.edu   
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Miller, MD     

Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
Contact: Sarayu Ratnam, PhD    312-227-6617    sratnam@luriechildrens.org   
Principal Investigator: Priya Khanna, MD         

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205
Contact: Ashley Thomas    410-955-9161    ashley_thomas@jhmi.edu   
Principal Investigator: Ann Scheimann, MD

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68114
Contact: Jill Fahner 402-836-9749 jill.fahner@unmc.edu
Principal Investigator: Casey Burg, MD

Maimonides Medical Center
Brookly, New York, United States, 11219
Contact: Miryan Iskander 718-283-8170 mliskander@maimonidesmed.org
Principal Investigator: Deepan Singh, MD

CTI
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Contact: Kory Winkler 513-598-9020 kwinkler@ctifacts.com
Principal Investigator: James Maynard

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37203
Contact: Elizabeth Roof    615-343-3330    elizabeth.roof@vanderbilt.edu   
Principal Investigator: Althea Robinson Shelton, MD   

Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
Contact: Franca Ofudu    832-824-3372    Franca.Ofudu@bcm.edu  
Principal Investigator: Amee Revana, DO         
Sub-Investigator: Daniel Glaze, MD   

RoadRunner Research
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Contact: Nancy Lopez    210-949-0505    nlopez@rrresearchsa.com
Principal Investigator: Tarak Patel, MD 

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84113
Contact: Carrie Bailey    801-587-3605    Carrie.Bailey@hsc.utah.edu   
Principal Investigator: David Viskochil, MD  

 

                                                                                                     

Questions?

Contact: Krystle Davis, Harmony Biosciences
Phone: 312-847-1289
Email: clinicaltrials@harmonybiosciences.com

 

 

New Call-to-action

Volunteer Your Time

No matter how big or how small, every effort helps us!

VOLUNTEER