Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, particularly epilepsy and ADHD. The company was founded in 2005 as a spin-off from Noven Pharmaceuticals.
Supernus has built a portfolio of approved products for epilepsy and ADHD, and is expanding into movement disorders and other CNS conditions. The company's strategy focuses on developing differentiated products with improved efficacy and safety profiles compared to existing treatments[1].
Supernus was founded in 2005 as a spin-off from Noven Pharmaceuticals, focusing on CNS disorders with an emphasis on novel formulations of existing drugs.
| Product | Active Ingredient | Indication | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXTELLAR XR | Oxcarbazepine | Epilepsy | 2013[2] |
| TROKENDI XR | Topiramate | Epilepsy | 2013[3] |
| EPIDIOLEX | Cannabidiol | Rare epilepsies | 2018 |
OXTELLAR XR and TROKENDI XR are extended-release formulations of generic epilepsy drugs, designed to provide improved seizure control with once-daily dosing and more stable blood levels.
| Product | Indication | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| APOKYN | Parkinson's OFF episodes | Dopamine agonist (injection) |
| APOMINE | Parkinson's | Dopamine agonist |
APOKYN (apomorphine injection) provides rapid rescue from OFF episodes in Parkinson's disease patients.
Supernus's Parkinson's disease products address autonomic dysfunction manifestations:
Apomorphine Therapy and Autonomic Function
APOKYN and the SPN-830 continuous infusion address several autonomic aspects of PD:
SPN-830 (Continuous Apomorphine Infusion)
The Phase 3 apomorphine infusion program offers particular benefits for autonomic function:
Qelbree (Viloxazine) - Norepinephrine Modulation
While approved for ADHD, viloxazine's norepinephrine reuptake inhibition has potential applications:
| Product | Indication | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| MYDAYIS | ADHD (13+) | Mixed amphetamine salts (extended-release) |
| Qelbree | ADHD (6-17) | Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor |
| Vivalan | ADHD | Guanfacine extended-release |
Qelbree (Viloxazine): Approved in 2021, Qelbree represents the first non-stimulant ADHD medication approved in over 20 years[4].
| Drug Candidate | Indication | Mechanism | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPN-820 | Treatment-resistant depression | AMPA modulator | Phase 2[5] |
| SPN-817 | Epilepsy | Novel mechanism | Phase 1 |
| SPN-830 | Parkinson's disease | Apomorphine infusion | Phase 3 |
Supernus's products leverage extended-release technology to improve patient outcomes:
SPN-820 targets AMPA receptors for treatment-resistant depression:
Supernus addresses significant unmet needs in CNS disorders[7]:
SPN-820 is a novel AMPA receptor modulator with potential for:
AMPA receptor modulation represents a novel mechanism beyond current SSRIs/SNRIs and NMDA receptor antagonists.
Despite dopaminergic therapy, Parkinson's patients experience OFF episodes when medication wears off:
Extended-release formulations improve patient outcomes:
Qelbree provides an alternative for patients who:
Corporate Overview. Investor Presentation. ↩︎
Qelbree FDA Approval. FDA Press Release. ↩︎
SPN-820 Clinical Trials. ClinicalTrials.gov. ↩︎
AMPA Modulation in Depression. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. ↩︎
Supernus Pipeline. Pipeline Overview. ↩︎