Otsuka Advances Centanafadine With FDA Filing To Bring a First in Class ADHD Therapy to Children, Adolescents, and Adults

26 November 2025 | Wednesday | News


The novel NDSRI shows significant symptom improvement across four Phase Three studies with data indicating favourable safety, tolerability, and low potential for abuse in both paediatric and adult populations
Image Source : Public Domain

Image Source : Public Domain

  • Centanafadine is an investigational compound for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. It is a first-in-class norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (NDSRI).
  • In four pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of centanafadine across pediatric and adult patient populations, centanafadine demonstrated statistically significant efficacy for the core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in ADHD.
  • Clinical and preclinical data suggest centanafadine showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile and a low potential for abuse and dependence.
  • ADHD is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized primarily by impairments in attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
  • Although historically seen as a childhood disorder, research suggests that many individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, with some patients experiencing significant impairment.
  • ADHD is often not diagnosed until adulthood, with an estimated 15.5 million adults in the U.S. currently diagnosed.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) announce the filing of a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for centanafadine, once daily extended release capsules, a novel norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (NDSRI), for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. The NDA submission is supported by results from four pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of centanafadine across patient populations.

“As an innovator in mental health, we are pleased to take this important step forward in the hope of providing a novel treatment option to patients living with ADHD,” said John Kraus, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. “Centanafadine represents a first in class mechanism of action among available ADHD therapies, and if approved, may expand the range of options available to those managing this complex condition. We are grateful to the patients and caregivers for their participation in these trials.”

In Phase 3 clinical studies with children, adolescents, and adults, centanafadine demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in ADHD symptoms compared with placebo, as measured by the ADHD Rating Scale – 5 (ADHD-RS-5) in adolescents and children, and the ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) in adults. Centanafadine was generally well tolerated across studies, with the most common adverse events including decreased appetite, nausea, rash, fatigue, abdominal pain, and somnolence in children and adolescents, and decreased appetite and headache in adults

News

Stay Connected

Sign up to our free newsletter and get the latest news sent direct to your inbox

Show

Forgot your password?

Show

Show

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close