Health · Pharma & Biotech · 1 hr ago
Idorsia plans to study sleep drug Quviviq for autism
Idorsia plans to study Quviviq as a possible autism treatment after unexpected results in a trial of the sleep drug.
The Phase II study included 165 children and teenagers with sleep problems, more than half of whom had a diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental condition.
Among participants with autism or autistic traits, researchers saw improvements in mood, behaviour, thinking and daily activities.
The changes went beyond improvements in sleep, but the study does not establish that Quviviq treats autism.
Idorsia says its research is also based on evidence of increased activity in the brain’s orexin system in people with autism; Quviviq blocks the effects of orexin.
Quviviq is already approved for adults with sleep problems, and Idorsia plans to share details of its autism research programme in the first half of 2027, after discussions with health authorities.
Idorsia plans to study its sleep drug Quviviq as a possible treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
The plan follows unexpected improvements among some autistic participants in a clinical Phase II study of the drug for sleep problems.
The study included 165 children and adolescents with sleep disorders.
Idorsia said improvements in autistic participants extended beyond sleep effects, suggesting a possible direct effect on autism symptoms.
The company plans to share details of the research programme in the first half of 2027, after discussions with health authorities.
- Who
- Swiss biopharmaceutical company Idorsia.
- What
- It plans to investigate Quviviq, also known as daridorexant, as a possible treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
- When
- Idorsia announced the plan on Monday, October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- A Phase II study found unexpected improvements beyond sleep effects among participants with autism or autistic traits. Idorsia also cited internal data indicating increased activity of the brain’s orexin system in people with autism.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Idorsia tested Quviviq in 165 children and adolescents with sleep disorders.
Idorsia announced plans to investigate Quviviq as a possible treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Idorsia plans to share details of the development programme after discussions with health authorities.
- Study size
- 165 children and adolescents with sleep disorders
- Drug
- Quviviq (daridorexant)
- Study phase
- Phase II
- Planned update
- First half of 2027