Asim Roy, MD

"The current model of overnight sleep studies has its huge limitations. Maybe if there was a way to do that [diagnose], either through a blood test or at-home technologies.”

, June 10-13, was filled with an array of presentations and abstracts on the latest advancements and therapeutics in the sleep space, and represented the greater momentum the sleep science community has built in recent years. Data for several approved agents were also on display, as well as those on a few investigational agents making their way through the pipeline.

Despite the recent success, there remain several unmet needs for this patient population. Asim Roy, MD, medical director, Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute, feels as though phenotyping patients is still at the top of the priority list, with concerns over the diagnostic process and tools not far behind.

Roy shared his thoughts on these great unmet needs for patients with sleep disorders and why limitations in diagnostic capabilities have hindered the community from advancing to the next steps in management.

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The medical director of the Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute provided insight on areas within sleep disorder care that need improvement, including the diagnostic process. 

Greatest Unmet Needs in Sleep Disorder Care: Asim Roy, MD

"Most often—and more often than not—weight reduction or weight stabilization is an important feature and can be a health benefit in most of these patients.”

, June 10-13, Avadel’s investigational sodium oxybate agent FT218, demonstrated its efficacy in a number of abstracts from the phase 3 REST-ON study (NCT02720744). The therapy improved excessive daytime sleepiness at all dose levels in patients with narcolepsy subtype 1 and 2 in measures such as maintenance of wakefulness test and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) compared to placebo.

Investigators also confirmed that its effects on patients with and without stimulant use did not change. Both subgroups of patients who received FT218 rated sleepiness as much or very much improved on CGI-I at higher rates than those on placebo. Additionally, the drug had weight-related benefits, significant decreasing patients’ weight and body mass index (BMI) from baseline to week 13.

Trial investigator Asim Roy, MD, medical director, Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute, sat down with 

to discuss the significance of these additive benefits that FT218 brings to patients with narcolepsy in further detail.

Avadel presents new clinical data from pivotal phase 3 REST-ON trial supporting clinical benefit of FT218 in patients with narcolepsy at SLEEP 2021. News release. Avadel Pharmaceuticals. June 9, 2021. Accessed June 17, 2021. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/newsrelease/2021/06/09/2244435/0/en/Avadel-Presents-New-Clinical-Data-from-Pivotal-Phase-3-REST-ON-Trial-Supporting-Clinical-Benefit-of-FT218-in-Patients-with-Narcolepsy-at-SLEEP-2021.html

The medical director of the Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute discussed the effect of FT218 in treating narcolepsy regardless of stimulant use, as well as its weight-related benefits it brings. 

FT218’s Effect on BMI Regardless of Stimulant Use: Asim Roy, MD

"One of our biggest challenges in the space is that either patients don’t respond well, or they’ll get some benefit, but they had these bad side effects that were unsustainable.”

, June 10-13, featured expanded efficacy and safety data on multiple treatments within the sleep disorders space, as well as those investigational agents currently making their way through the clinical pipeline. Asim Roy, MD, was among the investigators who assessed one such agent, FT218, an investigational, once-nightly sodium oxybate agent, in the pivotal phase 3 REST-ON study (NCT02720744).

Data showed that the drug reduced sleep latency across narcolepsy subtypes and produced greater decreases in weight and body mass index than placebo. Roy, medical director, Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute, feels as though there has been noticeable strides within the sleep disorders space in recent years, mainly powered by the expanding options of these sodium oxybate agents.

Roy discussed the growing momentum within the sleep disorder treatment community, provided insight on potential future research, and detailed the challenges that remain with treating these patients.

The medical director of the Ohio State Sleep Medicine Institute detailed the progress made within the sleep disorder field in recent years and where it can turn to next. 

Asim Roy, MD

Articles

Greatest Unmet Needs in Sleep Disorder Care: Asim Roy, MD

FT218’s Effect on BMI Regardless of Stimulant Use: Asim Roy, MD

Future Areas of Progress for Sleep Disorder Care: Asim Roy, MD

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