NCT04257929CompletedPhase 2
A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pitolisant in Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome, Followed by an Open Label Extension
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pitolisant in Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome, Followed by an Open Label Extension
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 12 May 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pitolisant compared with placebo in treating excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with Prader Willi syndrome (PWS) ages 6 to 65 years.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Phase (registry)
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 65 (actual)
- First submitted
- 29 Jan 2020
- Start date
- Dec 2020
- Primary completion date
- Aug 2022
- Lead sponsor
- Harmony Biosciences Management, Inc.
- NCT number
- NCT04257929
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional · Phase 2
- Participants enrolled: 65
- From Dec 2020 to the primary completion date, Aug 2022
- 13 sites in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Does not agree to discontinue any prohibited medication or substance listed in the protocol.
- Participation in an interventional research study involving another investigational medication or device in the 28 days prior to enrollment and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study, unless the Investigator consults with the Medical Monitor and obtains written approval for the patient to enroll; patients who complete a washout of an investigational medication of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) may be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Patients considering participation in another interventional research study in the OLE Phase must consult with the Investigator who will consult with the Medical Monitor.
- If receiving any new or initiating a change in allied health therapies or interventions for symptoms of PWS, must be on a stable course of therapy for at least 28 days prior to randomization.
- Has planned surgery during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; planned surgery is permitted during the OLE Phase.
- Is receiving a concomitant medication that is known to be a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 inhibitor, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, or a centrally acting histamine 1 (H1) receptor antagonist; patients who complete a washout of these medications of at least 5 half-lives or 14 days (whichever is longer) can be enrolled in the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study. Use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers is allowed during the OLE Phase; however, adjustment of pitolisant dose is required. Although not prohibited during the OLE Phase of the study, use of H1 receptor antagonists should be avoided.
- Has a history of seizures that have recently (within 6 months) been treated with antiepileptic medications that are strong CYP3A4 inducers. Patients with a history of seizures must have a stable seizure history (e.g., frequency and severity) for at least 6 months prior to enrollment.
- Is currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed over the course of the study. Lactating women must agree not to breastfeed for the duration of the study (Double-Blind Treatment Phase and OLE Phase) and for 21 days after final dose of study drug.
Other illness
- Has a diagnosis of another genetic or chromosomal disorder distinct from PWS.
- Has untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or is at high risk for OSA based on medical history and clinical assessment; or, has another relevant underlying sleep disorder that in the opinion of the Investigator is the primary contributing factor to the patient's EDS.
- Has a primary psychiatric diagnosis with current active symptoms of psychosis or schizophrenia.
- Has a current or recent (within one year) history of a substance use disorder or dependence disorder, including alcohol and caffeine use disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V).
- Has a significant risk of committing suicide based on history, routine psychiatric examination, Investigator's judgment, or an answer of "yes" on any question other than questions 1 to 3 on the Very Young Child/Cognitively Impaired-Lifetime Recent Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C SSRS).
- Based on the judgment of the Investigator, patient is unsuitable for the study for any reason, including but not limited to unstable or uncontrolled medical conditions (including psychiatric and neurological conditions) or a medical condition that might interfere with the conduct of the study, confound interpretation of study results, pose a health risk to the patient, or compromise the integrity of the study.
Lab values
- Has a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] of \<15 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
- Has a diagnosis of moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR ≥15 to ≤59 mL/minute/1.73 m²) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) at Screening or during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase.
- Has abnormal laboratory values at Screening that are clinically significant as determined by the Investigator.
- Has a known history of long QT syndrome or any significant history of a serious abnormality of the electrocardiogram (ECG; e.g., recent myocardial infarction, clinically significant arrhythmia) or QT interval corrected for heart rate according to Fridericia's formula (QTcF) \>442 ms for patients ages 0 to \<10 years and \>439 ms for patients ages 10 to \<20 years, regardless of gender, and \>450 ms for male patients and \>470 ms for female patients ages 20 to 65 years. (ECG QTcF = QT/3√ RR) (Mason et al 2007).
- Has a family history of sudden/unexplained death, cardiac death, or death from a primary dysrhythmia potentially associated with QT prolongation in any family member.
- Is receiving a medication known to prolong the QT interval.
Other
- Consistently consumes \>600 mg of caffeine per day and is unable/unwilling to reduce caffeine intake to \<600 mg per day for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; caffeine intake should remain consistent during Screening and throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study.
Who the study is looking for
- Is able to provide voluntary, written informed consent (patient or parent\[s\]/legal guardian\[s\]) and, where applicable, voluntary, written assent (patient, as appropriate).
- Has a diagnosis of PWS confirmed by genetic testing and/or patient medical records. Genetic testing will be provided by the Sponsor, if not confirmed based on the review of the patient's medical records.
- Male or female patients ages 6 to 65 years at the time of enrollment.
- Demonstrates adequate sleep duration via patient sleep diary during Screening, defined as at least 8 hours of sleep per night for patients ages 6 to \<12 years, at least 7 hours for patients ages 12 to \<18 years, or at least 6 hours for patients ages ≥18 years, based on the mean number of hours from up to 14 nights (at least 7 nights must be recorded for evaluation).
- Has EDS as determined by Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) (parent/caregiver version) score of ≥12.
- If taking hormone treatments (including growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen supplements) and/or allowed chronic concomitant medication or supplements, patient must be on a stable dose of these medications for 3 months prior to randomization and for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study; a 10% variability in hormone dose is allowed.
- If taking a wake-promoting treatment that could affect EDS (including stimulants, modafinil, and armodafinil), must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
- If taking a chronically administered sedating medication for management of behavioral manifestations (e.g., hypnotics, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, alpha agonists, anticholinergics, and antidepressants) must be on a stable dose for at least 28 days prior to Screening and remain on a stable dose during the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
- If using cannabidiol and/or tetrahydrocannabinol, patient must be on a stable dose for 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase).
- If taking oxytocin or carbetocin, patient must be on a stable dose during the 28 days prior to randomization and agree to continue the stable dose for the duration of the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study (dose adjustments will be permitted in the OLE Phase) or agree to wash out of treatment for 5 half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer.
- A patient who is a female of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening Visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at the Baseline Visit and agree to remain abstinent or use an effective method of nonhormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy for the duration of the study and for 21 days after final dose of study drug.
- Has a consistent caregiver (preferably the same person throughout the Double-Blind Treatment Phase of the study) who is willing and able to complete the required assessments.
- In the opinion of the Investigator, patient/parent(s)/legal guardian(s) is capable of understanding and complying with the requirements of the protocol and administration of oral study drug.
Age in the registry: 6 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (13)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Hospital Colorado Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Aurora | United States | Unknown status |
| Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Baltimore | United States | Unknown status |
| Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Chicago | United States | Unknown status |
| CTI Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Cincinnati | United States | Unknown status |
| University of Florida College of Medicine Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Gainesville | United States | Unknown status |
| Texas Children's Hospital/ Baylor College of Medicine Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Houston | United States | Unknown status |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Nashville | United States | Unknown status |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Omaha | United States | Unknown status |
| Road Runner Research Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | San Antonio | United States | Unknown status |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | San Diego | United States | Unknown status |
| Sleep Medicine Specialists of California Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | San Ramon | United States | Unknown status |
| Santa Monica Clinical Trials Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Santa Monica | United States | Unknown status |
| Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Wilmington | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.