Preclinical in vivo characterization of lemborexant (E2006), a novel dual orexin receptor antagonist for sleep/wake regulation

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To present results from in vivo studies underlying the preclinical development of lemborexant (E2006), a novel dual orexin (hypocretin) receptor antagonist for sleep/wake regulation. METHODS: Rodent (wild-type rats and wild-type and orexin neuron-deficient [orexin/ataxin-3 Tg/+] mice) studies were performed to evaluate the effects of single-dose oral lemborexant (1-300 mg/kg) on orexin-induced increases in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), locomotor activity, vigilance state measures (wakefulness, nonrapid eye movement [non-REM] sleep, rapid eye movement [REM] sleep), ethanol-induced anesthesia, and motor coordination, and the effects of multiple-dose oral lemborexant (30 mg/kg) on vigilance state measures. Active comparators were almorexant and zolpidem. Pharmacokinetics were assessed after single-dose lemborexant in mice and rats. RESULTS: Lemborexant prevented the orexin-promoted increase in ACTH in rats, therefore demonstrating inhibition of the orexin signaling pathway. Furthermore, lemborexant promoted sleep in wild-type mice and rats. Lemborexant promoted REM and non-REM sleep at an equal rate (there was no change in the REM sleep ratio). In contrast, zolpidem reduced REM sleep. The sleep-promoting effect of lemborexant was mediated via the orexin-peptide signaling pathway as demonstrated by a lack of sleep promotion in orexin neuron-deficient mice. Chronic dosing was not associated with a change in effect size or sleep architecture immediately postdosing. Lemborexant did not increase the sedative effects of ethanol or impair motor coordination, showing good safety margin in animals. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data for mice and rats were well aligned. CONCLUSIONS: These findings supported further clinical evaluation (ongoing at this time) of lemborexant as a potential candidate for treating insomnia and other sleep disorders.