In the study, researchers randomized 30 subjects into two groups. One group received 100 mg of Envigor® on two consecutive afternoons while the other group took a placebo. The subjects remained awake for 48 consecutive hours and were asked to perform a number of problem-solving tasks. An additional group of 10 subjects performed the same tasks on a full night of sleep.

Subjects taking Envigor® performed the tasks at a level similar to the subjects who had a full night's sleep and much better than the individuals who had not slept. Envigor® produced no side effects and subjects were able to return to their normal sleep patterns the next night.

"Sleep deprivation takes an enormous toll on society and is responsible for countless accidents," said Edward Westhead, M.D., Ph.D., Santa Rosa chief executive officer. "Emergency room physicians and staff, transatlantic pilots and cross-country truck drivers are just some of the people who stand to benefit from this drug."

A larger trial of Envigor® will be conducted in April.

The Santa Rosa Institute, winner of the U.S. National Medal of Technology, is a leading biotechnology company that discovers and develops human pharmaceuticals for significant unmet medical needs. The company has its headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico.