Actelion's new insomnia drug does well in study

Good news.

Forbes is reporting that a recent study by Swiss pharmaceuticals group Actelion that their new insomnia drug almorexant has shown to improve sleep for those with primary insomnia.

The drug is the first-in-class orexin receptor antagonist line of drugs. Orexins are proteins produced by the hypothalamus that play an important role in the sleep-wake cycle.

Actelion's site notes that this is an oral therapy that works to block orexin receptors, and that no safety concerns emerged. Better yet, it appears that next-day performance showed no signs of hangover effects.

The name of the drug program is Restora and it's expected that it will last up to three years, with results to be made available by 2009.

That's a ways to go, so let's hope that the studies continue to go well.