Idorsia Ltd has entered into an exclusive distribution and commercialization agreement with Pharmalink Drug Store L.L.C to bring its insomnia treatment QUVIVIQ™ (daridorexant) to several Gulf markets. The partnership will cover the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, expanding access to the therapy across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Under the terms of the agreement, Idorsia will retain the marketing authorizations for the treatment in these countries and will receive an upfront payment as part of the deal. Once regulatory approvals are secured, Idorsia will supply finished drug products to Pharmalink at an agreed price. Pharmalink will then oversee the distribution, promotion, and commercial sales of the therapy within the designated markets.
The treatment at the center of the agreement, QUVIVIQ (daridorexant), is designed for adults experiencing insomnia. Unlike traditional sleep medications, the therapy works through a targeted mechanism that regulates the brain’s wake signaling system. Specifically, daridorexant acts as a dual orexin receptor antagonist, selectively blocking orexin receptors that promote wakefulness. By targeting this pathway, the therapy aims to support natural sleep patterns without broadly suppressing brain activity.
Srishti Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of Idorsia, said the collaboration represents an important milestone for the company’s strategy to expand the global reach of QUVIVIQ. She noted that Pharmalink’s strong presence in the Middle East and shared vision for the treatment’s growth makes it an ideal partner to help deliver the therapy to patients in the Gulf region. Gupta also emphasized that QUVIVIQ is currently the only insomnia medication that has demonstrated improvements in daytime functioning while addressing insomnia as a continuous, 24-hour condition.
Abdul Rauf Jabour, Chief Executive Officer of Pharmalink, said the company is enthusiastic about introducing the therapy to patients in the region. According to Jabour, insomnia is highly prevalent across the GCC, creating a significant demand for effective and innovative treatment options. He added that QUVIVIQ has the potential to address an important unmet medical need among patients who struggle with sleep disorders.
Insomnia affects millions of people worldwide and is often associated with significant health and quality-of-life impacts. Many existing treatments can cause side effects such as next-day drowsiness, dependency, or withdrawal symptoms, highlighting the need for safer and more effective therapies.
Clinical studies have supported the potential benefits of daridorexant. Trials published in the medical journal The Lancet Neurology showed that the drug significantly improved sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and total sleep time when compared with placebo at both 25 mg and 50 mg doses. The 50 mg dose also demonstrated a significant improvement in daytime functioning.
QUVIVIQ has already been launched in several global markets. Idorsia currently markets the therapy in the United States, Canada, and multiple European countries. It is also available in Japan, Hong Kong, and China through commercial partnerships. In addition, the company maintains licensing and supply agreements with partners in Latin America and Israel.
The new partnership with Pharmalink further strengthens Idorsia’s strategy to establish QUVIVIQ as a global brand while expanding treatment access for patients suffering from insomnia across the Middle East.