Harmony Biosciences Announces Positive Results From the Pivotal Bioequivalence Study for Pitolisant Gastro-Resistant Formulation

New Drug Application to be submitted in early 2026; target PDUFA in Q1 2027

Utility patent applications filed with potential exclusivity to 2044

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRMY) today announced positive results from its pivotal bioequivalence (BE) study evaluating pitolisant gastro-resistant (GR) formulation. With positive findings from both the pivotal BE and dosing optimization studies, Harmony is on track to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for pitolisant GR in early 2026, targeting a PDUFA date in Q1 2027. With utility patent applications filed for pitolisant GR with potential exclusivity to 2044, Harmony is well positioned to extend the pitolisant franchise into the mid-2040s.

“We are very pleased to have demonstrated bioequivalence for pitolisant GR which, along with the positive findings from our dosing optimization study, confirms its potential as a differentiated next-generation treatment option for narcolepsy patients,” said Kumar Budur, MD, MS, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Harmony Biosciences. “The combination of GR coating and ability to initiate treatment at the therapeutic dose without the need for titration, can potentially result in an enhanced overall treatment experience with pitolisant GR.”

The pivotal BE study confirmed that 17.8mg of pitolisant GR is bioequivalent to existing 17.8mg WAKIX® tablets. The pitolisant GR vs. WAKIX AUC and Cmax ratios (%) were 108.46 h*ng/mL (90% CI 103.74 – 113.41) and 99.65 ng/mL (90% CI 91.95 – 108.00), respectively. No new safety or tolerability issues were reported. Importantly, the topline data from the dosing optimization study of pitolisant GR showed 100% of patients successfully initiated treatment at the therapeutic dose of 17.8mg, eliminating the need for dose titration.

This progress on pitolisant GR underscores the accelerating momentum of the pitolisant franchise, which is rapidly approaching blockbuster status in narcolepsy alone. Harmony Biosciences’ commitment to innovation is further demonstrated by the development of pitolisant HD, a high-dose, enhanced formulation of pitolisant with an optimized pharmacokinetic profile, designed to deliver greater efficacy for excessive daytime sleepiness and other residual symptoms in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. With utility patent applications for both pitolisant GR and pitolisant HD filed to potentially extend exclusivity to 2044, Harmony is well positioned for sustained market leadership and long-term value creation in the sleep/wake therapeutic space.

About WAKIX® (pitolisant) Tablets

WAKIX, a first-in-class medication, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy and for the treatment of EDS in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with narcolepsy. It was granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of narcolepsy in 2010, and breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of cataplexy in 2018. WAKIX is a selective histamine 3 (H₃) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist. The mechanism of action of WAKIX is unclear; however, its efficacy could be mediated through its activity at H₃ receptors, thereby increasing the synthesis and release of histamine, a wake promoting neurotransmitter. WAKIX was designed and developed by Bioprojet (France). Harmony has an exclusive license from Bioprojet to develop, manufacture and commercialize pitolisant in the United States.

Indications and Usage

WAKIX is indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy and for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with narcolepsy.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

WAKIX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to pitolisant or any component of the formulation. Anaphylaxis has been reported. WAKIX is also contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Warnings and Precautions

WAKIX prolongs the QT interval; avoid use of WAKIX in patients with known QT prolongation or in combination with other drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Avoid use in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as other circumstances that may increase the risk of the occurrence of torsade de pointes or sudden death, including symptomatic bradycardia, hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, and the presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval.

The risk of QT prolongation may be greater in patients with hepatic or renal impairment due to higher concentrations of pitolisant; monitor these patients for increased QTc. Dosage modification is recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment and moderate or severe renal impairment. WAKIX is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment and not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Adverse Reactions

In the placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted in patients with narcolepsy with or without cataplexy, the most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice placebo) for WAKIX were insomnia (6%), nausea (6%), and anxiety (5%). Other adverse reactions that occurred at ≥2% and more frequently than in patients treated with placebo included headache, upper respiratory tract infection, musculoskeletal pain, heart rate increased, hallucinations, irritability, abdominal pain, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, cataplexy, dry mouth, and rash.

In the placebo-controlled phase of the clinical trial conducted in pediatric patients 6 years and older with narcolepsy with or without cataplexy, the most common adverse reactions (≥5% and greater than placebo) for WAKIX were headache (19%) and insomnia (7%). The overall adverse reaction profile of WAKIX in the pediatric clinical trial was similar to that seen in the adult clinical trial program.

Drug Interactions

Concomitant administration of WAKIX with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors increases pitolisant exposure by 2.2-fold. Reduce the dose of WAKIX by half.

Concomitant use of WAKIX with strong CYP3A4 inducers decreases exposure of pitolisant by 50%. Dosage adjustments may be required.

H1 receptor antagonists that cross the blood-brain barrier may reduce the effectiveness of WAKIX. Patients should avoid centrally acting H1 receptor antagonists.

WAKIX is a borderline/weak inducer of CYP3A4. WAKIX may reduce the effectiveness of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates, including hormonal contraceptives. Patients using hormonal contraception should be advised to use an alternative non-hormonal contraceptive method during treatment with WAKIX and for at least 21 days after discontinuing treatment.

Use in Specific Populations

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women who are exposed to WAKIX during pregnancy. Patients should be encouraged to enroll in the WAKIX pregnancy registry if they become pregnant. To enroll or obtain information from the registry, patients can call 1-800-833-7460.

The safety and effectiveness of WAKIX have not been established for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age with narcolepsy.

The safety and effectiveness of WAKIX have not been established for treatment of cataplexy in pediatric patients with narcolepsy.

WAKIX is extensively metabolized by the liver. WAKIX is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Dosage adjustment is required in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.

WAKIX is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease. Dosage adjustment of WAKIX is recommended in patients with eGFR