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Indivior snaps up Narcan owner for $145M upfront, with an eye on next-gen nasal spray
The opioid epidemic, which kills more than 100,000 people every year in the US, is big business, even when it comes to reversing the effects of an opioid…
The opioid epidemic, which kills more than 100,000 people every year in the US, is big business, even when it comes to reversing the effects of an opioid overdose.
UK-based Indivior on Monday bought Opiant Pharmaceuticals, owner of the now generic opioid overdose antidote Narcan and its next-gen nasal spray, a formulation of nalmefene, which is also an opioid overdose reversal agent. The deal is worth $145 million upfront and another potential $60 million if the nasal spray candidate hits certain milestones following approval.
Known as OPNT003, the nalmefene nasal spray has shown in multiple clinical studies that it has the potential to be as good as Narcan, with rapid onset and long duration of action, the companies said. Opiant said it hopes to complete its application to FDA before the end of the year, and an approval could come as soon as Q3 of next year, with a US launch soon after.
Shaun ThaxterBoth Indivior and Opiant have faced generic competition in recent years for their top products, including Indivior’s buprenorphine-naloxone combo, marketed as Suboxone, which has faced backlash for various concerns.
A US district court in 2020 sentenced former Indivior CEO Shaun Thaxter to six months in federal prison for his role in company efforts to mislead a major healthcare provider about the safety and abusability of Suboxone, which has generated billions in revenue over the last decade.
More recently in August, Judge Mitchell Goldberg of Pennsylvania denied two motions by Indivior for a summary judgment in a case alleging the company committed a “product hop” scheme to prevent generic competition to its opioid addiction treatment Suboxone.
“Our work [in combating addiction] has never been more critical, with overdose deaths in the United States occurring at near record numbers,” Indivior CEO Mark Crossley said in a statement. “Opiant’s portfolio of product candidates is an excellent strategic fit that diversifies and strengthens our offerings.”
Opiant also has plans to run a Phase II trial for its rapid onset formulation of nasal naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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