Opioid crisis
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West Virginia sues United HealthGroup's pharmacy benefit manager over opioid sales
Reuters· 2025-12-08 23:26
Core Points - West Virginia has filed a lawsuit against United HealthGroup in federal court, claiming that its pharmacy benefit manager, Optum, contributed to the state's opioid crisis by excessively supplying communities with addictive substances [1] Group 1 - The lawsuit alleges that Optum's practices have exacerbated the opioid crisis in West Virginia [1] - The legal action highlights the ongoing issues related to opioid distribution and management by pharmacy benefit managers [1]
X @BBC News (World)
BBC News (World)· 2025-11-14 19:34
Bankruptcy judge clears $7.4bn Purdue Pharma opioid settlement https://t.co/9vIko0h40F ...
X @Bloomberg
Bloomberg· 2025-11-14 18:41
Purdue Pharma won court approval to exit bankruptcy, capping six years of legal wrangling over a multibillion-dollar settlement and liability releases for the opioid manufacturer’s Sackler family owners. https://t.co/UM9xmwUwLS ...
Mesoblast to Meet With FDA Next Month to Discuss Rexlemestrocel-L and Opioid Cessation
Globenewswire· 2025-11-04 23:40
Core Insights - Mesoblast Limited announced a meeting with the FDA in early December to discuss data on opioid reduction and cessation from its Phase 3 study of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain [1][4] Company Overview - Mesoblast is a global leader in developing allogeneic cellular medicines for inflammatory diseases, focusing on severe and life-threatening conditions [10][11] - The company has a strong intellectual property portfolio with over 1,000 patents or applications, providing commercial protection until at least 2044 [14] Clinical Trial Details - The first Phase 3 trial involved 404 patients, with 168 on opioids at baseline; those treated with rexlemestrocel-L showed over 3-fold higher rates of opioid cessation compared to controls by 36 months (p=0.008) [2][6] - A confirmatory Phase 3 trial is actively enrolling 300 patients across 40 sites in the U.S., focusing on chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease [5][6] Regulatory Context - The FDA has emphasized the need for non-opioid treatments for chronic pain, with new guidance issued in September 2025 [3][4] - Rexlemestrocel-L has received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, allowing for benefits such as rolling review and priority review for its Biologics License Application [8] Market Need - Chronic low back pain affects over 7 million people in the U.S. and is a leading cause of disability, contributing to approximately 50% of prescription opioid usage [9][7]
Emergent BioSolutions Recognizes Several Important Observances to Help Save Lives from Opioid Poisoning and Encourages Preparedness with Life-Saving Naloxone
Globenewswire· 2025-09-24 20:05
Core Viewpoint - Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is reaffirming its commitment to combat the opioid crisis through increased awareness, education, and access to naloxone products, particularly NARCAN Nasal Spray and KLOXXADO [1][2]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - Emergent is collaborating with various organizations, including the National Safety Council, to enhance naloxone access in workplaces and has received the Green Cross for Safety Advocate Award for these efforts [2][3]. - The company is supporting events such as SOAR West Virginia Save a Life Day and Truth Pharm's National Trail of Truth to raise awareness and advocate for action against opioid poisoning [5]. - Emergent has gained exclusive commercial rights to distribute KLOXXADO, positioning itself as the leading U.S. supplier of nasal naloxone [6]. Group 2: Industry Context - Opioid poisonings are a significant public health crisis, with rising fatalities in workplaces, prompting organizations to take action [2]. - A National Retail Federation survey indicates that 45% of retail workers are aware of naloxone and its administration, highlighting the need for broader Good Samaritan protections [3]. - The Penington Institute is developing a Global Workplace Engagement Toolkit to facilitate overdose awareness and education in workplaces, sponsored by Emergent [4].
Emergent BioSolutions (EBS) 2025 Conference Transcript
2025-06-05 18:27
Summary of Emergent BioSolutions Conference Call Company Overview - Emergent BioSolutions has been operational for over 25 years, focusing on public health threats, particularly biological threats and the opioid crisis in North America [3][4] - The company markets 11 products and anticipates 2025 revenue between $750 million and $850 million [5][11] - Emergent employs approximately 900 people and partners with governments, NGOs, and biopharma innovators [5] Financial Performance - First quarter revenue was $222 million, aligning with the midpoint of the guidance [12] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 is projected to be between $150 million and $250 million [11][32] - Cash position improved significantly, ending the first quarter with $149 million, a 50% increase from the previous year [12][29] - Net leverage reduced from 5.7 to 2.8 times, indicating a strong balance sheet [13][30] Strategic Initiatives - The company is undergoing a multi-year transformation plan, moving from stabilization to a turnaround phase, with a focus on profitability and growth [9][10] - Key growth initiatives include the acquisition of Cloxado and a partnership with RocketVax for product development [14][34] - Emergent aims to expand its international sales, with $91 million in international revenue in the first quarter [13][27] Market Dynamics - The opioid crisis remains a significant issue, with over 80,000 overdose deaths in 2024, driving demand for naloxone products [22][23] - The company has secured a $65 million contract with Ontario's Ministry of Health in Canada [21] - The U.S. government continues to be a primary customer for medical countermeasures, with ongoing demand expected [24] Product Development - Emergent is enhancing its R&D pipeline, including a $17 million contract for the development of the Ibanga product for Ebola treatment [14] - The company is also involved in trials for Tembexa, a smallpox therapeutic, in collaboration with the African CDC [14][26] Manufacturing and Compliance - The company maintains a strong North American manufacturing footprint, compliant with USMCA regulations, minimizing tariff impacts [17][18] - Manufacturing facilities include sites in Michigan, Canada, and Maryland, focusing on various production capabilities [18] Future Outlook - Guidance for 2025 includes revenue expectations of $750 million to $850 million and adjusted EBITDA of $150 million to $250 million [32] - The company anticipates a sequential revenue decline in the second quarter but remains optimistic about full-year performance [33] - Emergent is committed to quality, patient safety, and compliance as it seeks growth opportunities [35]
Walgreens to pay up to $350M for filling illegal opioid prescriptions, Justice Department says
Fox Business· 2025-04-22 09:36
Core Viewpoint - Walgreens has agreed to a settlement of up to $350 million with the U.S. Justice Department to resolve allegations of illegally filling invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances [1][2]. Group 1: Settlement Details - The settlement includes a base payment of $300 million, with an additional $50 million contingent on the company's sale, merger, or transfer before fiscal year 2032 [2]. - The settlement is part of broader efforts to address the opioid crisis and hold accountable those contributing to it [12]. Group 2: Allegations Against Walgreens - Walgreens was accused of filling millions of invalid prescriptions from August 2012 to March 2023, violating the Controlled Substances Act [5]. - Allegations include filling excessive numbers of opioid prescriptions and doing so significantly earlier than allowed [5]. - The company allegedly pressured pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without verifying their legality, and compliance officials ignored evidence of illegal prescriptions being dispensed [9][10]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Context - The Attorney General emphasized the legal responsibility of pharmacies to dispense controlled substances safely and professionally, highlighting the commitment to ending the opioid crisis [3]. - The lawsuit and settlement are part of the government's efforts to combat the national opioid epidemic, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths annually [10][12].
Polyrizon Launches Preclinical Studies for Intranasal Naloxone to Combat Opioid Overdose Using Cutting-Edge Platform
Globenewswire· 2025-03-13 11:51
Core Viewpoint - Polyrizon Ltd. is advancing its development of intranasal Naloxone, a treatment for opioid overdose, through preclinical studies utilizing its Trap and Target™ platform, which aims to enhance drug delivery and effectiveness [1][3][4]. Company Overview - Polyrizon is a development stage biotech company focused on innovative medical device hydrogels delivered as nasal sprays, which create a barrier in the nasal cavity against viruses and allergens [6]. - The company is also developing its Capture and Contain (C&C) hydrogel technology, which aims to improve bioadhesion and retention for drug delivery [6]. Industry Context - The opioid crisis is a significant global public health emergency, with a rise in overdose fatalities largely driven by synthetic opioids like fentanyl [4]. - The global Naloxone market is projected to reach $2.47 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% [4]. - The intranasal Naloxone spray market is expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2030 [4]. Product Development - The preclinical studies will evaluate key parameters such as drug loading capacity, release kinetics, nasal deposition, and stability, which are essential for future safety and efficacy testing [3]. - The proprietary T&T platform is designed to optimize drug delivery, potentially increasing bioavailability and ensuring rapid opioid reversal in emergency situations [4][5].
Polyrizon Initiates Preclinical Studies for Intranasal Naloxone Targeting Opioid Overdose Based on Its Innovative T&T Platform
Newsfilter· 2025-03-10 11:47
Core Viewpoint - Polyrizon Ltd. has initiated preclinical studies for intranasal Naloxone, aimed at improving opioid overdose treatment through its innovative Trap and Target™ platform [1][3][4]. Company Overview - Polyrizon is a development stage biotech company focused on creating intranasal hydrogels, including a proprietary hydrogel technology called Capture and Contain™ [6]. - The company is advancing its Trap and Target™ technology for the nasal delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients [6]. Industry Context - The opioid crisis is a significant global public health emergency, with a notable increase in overdose fatalities driven by synthetic opioids like fentanyl [4]. - The global Naloxone market is projected to reach $2.47 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% [4]. - The intranasal Naloxone spray market alone is expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2030 [4]. Research Collaboration - The preclinical studies will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Fabio Sonvico from the University of Parma, an expert in intranasal drug delivery [2]. Study Objectives - The studies will evaluate key parameters such as drug loading capacity, release kinetics, nasal deposition, and stability, which are essential for further safety and efficacy testing [3]. Advantages of Intranasal Delivery - Intranasal delivery of Naloxone offers several benefits, including ease of administration, reduced need for trained personnel, and increased accessibility for emergency responders and at-risk individuals [5].
Kindly MD, Inc.(KDLY) - Prospectus(update)
2024-05-09 10:04
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2024. Registration No. 333-274606 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Amendment No. 9 to FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 KINDLY MD, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Utah 8049 84-3829824 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 5097 South ...