Alkermes said its orexin agonist ALKS 7290 showed tolerability and an efficacy signal in a randomized Phase 1 trial in adults with ADHD. In the study, participants started with a median symptom score indicating moderate to severe symptoms, and high-dose dosing was associated with reductions over two weeks. Orexin agonists have previously been positioned around sleep-related disorders, but Alkermes’ early data extends the class into neuropsychiatric indications. The readout is early-stage, but the company highlighted the study as the first randomized Phase 1 evidence for ADHD using this mechanism. The next steps for the field will likely focus on dose selection, longer exposure, and confirmation of clinical activity in Phase 2 programs.