A proposal to buy out Soleno Therapeutics Inc. didn’t wait for European approval of Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) to treat hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, as Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. is putting on the table $53 per share in cash, which equates to an equity value of $2.9 billion.

The busy Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) space took another hit as did shares of Aardvark Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AARD), which closed March 2 at $5.47, down $7.02, or 56%, after the company disclosed a voluntary pause of the phase III Hunger Elimination or Reduction Objective (HERO) trial testing ARD-101 as a treatment for hyperphagia, or intense hunger, in patients with the disease.

The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is one of the most potent central stimulators of feeding and regulates energy balance. Therefore, agonists of the melanin-concentrating hormone MCH1 receptor could offer potential for weight management. Moreover, the role of MCH1 receptor in syndromic obesity has recently been uncovered.

After a phase III stumble, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. will drop development of ACP-101, intranasal carbetocin, to treat hyperphagia in patients with the rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome. Top-line data from the 12-week, double-blind, randomized phase III study missed its primary endpoint by not producing a statistically significant improvement over placebo.

Multiple datasets are due to roll out soon in the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) space, where contenders are trying varied mechanisms of action to tackle the rare genetic disorder characterized by insatiable hunger, or hyperphagia. In the mix are Aardvark Therapeutics Inc., Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Soleno Therapeutics Inc.

Becoming the first treatment for rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome, breakthrough therapy drug DCCR (diazoxide choline) gained U.S. FDA approval as Vykat XR the evening before its March 27 PDUFA date, sending shares of developer Soleno Therapeutics Inc. up 38%.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s NNZ-2591 met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial in children with Pitt Hopkins syndrome, with improvements seen in communication, social interaction, cognition and motor abilities, according to top-line results.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s NNZ-2591 met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial in children with Pitt Hopkins syndrome, with improvements seen in communication, social interaction, cognition and motor abilities, according to top-line results.