Daily briefing: Narcolepsy drug could kick off an Ozempic-style moment for the brain
Nature, Published online: 17 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02589-z Emerging treatments known as orexin agonists show wide-ranging promise similar to that of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Plus, postdocs protest in Argentina and the highest-resolution image ever of the Sun’s photosphere.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Orzeyful, a groundbreaking drug specifically designed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy type 1. This drug works by activating receptors that respond to the peptide orexin, which plays a crucial role in regulating the brain's sleep–wake cycle. Orzeyful represents a significant development in a growing field of treatments known as orexin agonists, with the potential to revolutionize brain health much like GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed the management of diabetes and obesity.
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