Two mid-stage trials – one positive, one negative – for two first-in-class therapies for Tourette’s syndrome from Neurocrine and Psyadon have highlighted the complexities of treating this underserved condition.
Neurocrine Biosciences has just reported disappointing results for Ingrezza (valbenazine), while private company Psyadon Pharmaceuticals had
Current pharmacological treatments for Tourette’s include alpha2-adrenergic agonists (eg Clonidine), muscle relaxants (eg baclofen and clonazepam) and dopamine D2 antagonists, such as Abilify (aripiprazole) but many patients remain symptomatic despite treatment, or experience side effects such as weight gain or sedation that limit their use