Intra-Cellular Therapies, Phase 2 clinical study using its drug candidate ITI-722 for sleep maintenance insomnia

DECEMBER 20TH, 2007 -- Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (ITI), announced it has initiated a sleep maintenance insomnia (SMI) Phase 2 clinical study using its drug candidate ITI-722. ITI-722 acts predominantly as a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist and represents an important new approach to the treatment of SMI. Because of its novel separation of 5-HT2A and dopamine receptor modulatory activities, ITI believes, ITI-722 can be used not only to treat SMI but it may be highly appropriate for the treatment of sleep disorders that accompany neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and other psychiatric disorders... Intra-Cellular Therapies' Press Release -

Actelion, Phase III program RESTORA (REstore physiological Sleep with The Orexin Receptor Antagonist Almorexant)

20 December 2007 – Actelion Ltd (SWX: ATLN) announced that the company has initiated the comprehensive Phase III program RESTORA (REstore physiological Sleep with The Orexin Receptor Antagonist Almorexant) with its first-in-class orexin receptor antagonist, almorexant...RESTORA 1 is expected to confirm the effects of almorexant on sleep induction and sleep maintenance that were previously observed. This study is also expected to provide additional information on sleep architecture and sleep quality, thereby providing further insight into the role of almorexant in restoring normal physiological sleep... Actelion's Press Release -

Embla Systems, to develop Cardio-Pulmonary Coupling Technology

Dec. 13 , 2007- Embla Systems, a leader in the field ofsleep diagnostic software and equipment announced today the signing of an exclusive agreement with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) for the distribution of the Cardio Pulmonary Coupling (CPC) technology developed by Drs. Robert Thomas, Ary Goldberger, C-K. Peng, and Mr. Joseph Mietus... The CPC technology will give physicians the "Sleep Health" of a patient and to evaluate if the patient has Obstructive, Central or Complex Sleep Apnea ... [PDF] Embla's Press Release -

UCB's Neupro, Filed with the FDA for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

December 12, 2007 - UCB announced that the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for the use of Neupro as a treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been accepted for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)...Restless Legs Syndrome is a chronic neurological disorder that affects between three and ten per cent of the population...Symptoms of RLS typically appear during periods of rest and inactivity, particularly in the evenings and at night. This can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, thus preventing recuperative sleep and often leading to daytime fatigue and reduced alertness... UCB's Press Release -