New sleep drug scores high in Phase II trial

H. Lundbeck and its drug development partner Merck have released new Phase II data for gaboxadol showing that the drug -- the first in a new class -- scored high marks in getting insomniacs to sleep and keeping them asleep. Researchers also said that patients taking the drug in the mid-stage trial experienced better sleep than insomniacs taking a placebo.

"The findings of this early stage trial show that gaboxadol significantly improved several measures of sleep initiation and sleep maintenance in patients with Primary Insomnia," said Stephen Deacon, PhD, lead investigator of the study and head of Clinical Development, Sleep Disorders, Lundbeck, UK. "Gaboxadol 15 mg significantly reduced total time awake by 16 percent and latency to persistent sleep by 21 percent, compared to placebo. The findings of this Phase II study demonstrate the therapeutic potential of gaboxadol as a treatment for insomnia. It will be important to confirm these findings in larger clinical trials."

- read this press release for more