Orexa

Orexa is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company that develops therapeutics to increase food intake and support health in critically ill patients. Its lead compound ORE-001 is a proprietary oral formulation for human use, based on a well-known anesthetic.

The company has completed its first Phase 2 study, in female patients undergoing gynecologic surgery requiring longitudinal laparotomy. The study demonstrated a favorable safety profile and convincing efficacy for ORE-001, with clinically significant improvements in key postoperative recovery statistics:

• Increased post-operative food intake: Patients receiving ORE-001 consumed 63% more lunch on the first post-operative day compared to placebo.

   

• Faster return of gastrointestinal function: First post-operative stool occurred approximately 1 day earlier with ORE-001.

   

• Reduced gastrointestinal dysfunction: Incidence dropped from 21% in the placebo group to 6% with ORE-001.

   

• Shorter hospital stays due to adverse events: The proportion of patients requiring extended hospitalization declined from 31% to 7%.

The upcoming Phase 2b/3 program will investigate whether these promising data can be confirmed. This study will be conducted in patients undergoing surgery requiring longitudinal laparotomy. In this vulnerable patient population, Orexa expects to be able to improve the well-being of the patients, as well as significantly reduce healthcare costs through faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.

Orexa has a second and third Phase 2 study in preparation, in Sarcopenia and in Anorexia Nervosa. In all three indications increased food intake could lead to an improved patient health, a shorter hospital stay and significant cost savings.

Orexa was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Herpen (Oss Region, Noord Brabant), The Netherlands.