Aptar Pharma provides unit-dose nasal spray technology for the treatment of opioid overdose

Image - Narcan Adapt Pharma - Courtesy of Adapt Pharma.

The delivery system is for Adept Pharma's Narcan - the first FDA-approved nasally administered, needle-free, ready-to use medication that can stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Narcan contains naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist. It is marketed in the US for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. “The US is facing an unprecedented opioid overdose epidemic. By making Narcan Nasal Spray available, we hope to increase everyone’s access to emergency treatments across the US,” said Seamus Mulligan, Chairman and CEO of Adapt Pharma.

Aptar Pharma has brought to the partnership its unique experience in nasal drug delivery and regulatory expertise in relation to combination drug-device products successfully supporting Adapt Pharma’s new drug application.

“Aptar Pharma leads the industry in nasal drug delivery expertise. We have collaborated closely with Adapt Pharma to ensure the rapid approval of this potentially life-saving product using our Unit-Dose System (UDS). The regulations and requirements for market approvals are rapidly evolving and customers must seek out trusted partners like Aptar Pharma. We are continually investing in resources and capabilities to support our customers in reaching the market quickly,” said Salim Haffar, President of Aptar Pharma.

Estimated at over $2 billion in 2015, the world market for intra-nasal spray systemic drug delivery has experienced strong growth in the last few years. The list of therapies successfully treated via the nasal route continues to grow from the traditional areas of migraine, osteoporosis and endometriosis, to now include: post-operative pain (ketorolac), cancer pain (fentanyl), osteoporosis, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, anemia and vaccinations.

Aptar Pharma’s UDS is the preferred liquid spray drug delivery technology platform when dose accuracy and ease of administration are critical. The single-shot UDS system’s primeless feature combined with 360° orientation offer the patient or the caregiver unique ready-to-use convenience.