A Nasal Spray to Curb Excessive Eating in Prader-Willi

Parder-Willi syndrome is a rare, genetic disease that is characterized, in part, by hyperphagia—an intense and insatiable hunger. People with the condition are driven to constantly eat and seek out food. The syndrome is associated with severe obesity and obesity-related mortality. Tonix Pharmaceuticals is developing an experimental oxytocin nasal spray to treat hyperphagia in people with Prader-Willi syndrome. The approach, to date, has shown promise in animal models. We spoke to Seth Lederman, CEO of Tonix, about Prader-Willi syndrome, the unmet need for treatments, and why he believes an oxytocin nasal spray has potential to treat the condition.