Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO:4502) has secured Japanese regulatory approval for Orzeryful, a first-of-its-kind pill that tackles the underlying cause of narcolepsy type 1(NT1).
The approval, granted by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is based on global Phase 3 studies demonstrating statistically significant improvements across the full range of NT1 symptoms.
Takeda is proceeding with launch preparations and expects to make ORZEYFUL available as soon as possible, according to a statement on Monday.
Narcolepsy type 1 is a rare, chronic neurological disorder that can severely disrupt daily life, affecting work, education and social interactions.
Despite its impact, lack of awareness and the complexity of symptoms often lead to misdiagnoses, with patients waiting more than 10 years on average for a correct diagnosis.
This marks the third major approval for ORZEYFUL worldwide, following earlier clearances in China and the United States, where the drug is still awaiting final scheduling review by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.