Nutriband Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRB) has issued a statement regarding the recent executive order from the Trump Administration that designates illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction. The company emphasized that this designation should not be conflated with FDA-approved prescription fentanyl therapies, such as transdermal fentanyl patches. These prescription products are produced under rigorous regulatory oversight and remain medically necessary for treating certain patients with severe chronic pain.
The company acknowledged ongoing public health concerns surrounding transdermal fentanyl patches, specifically regarding their potential for abuse and the risk of accidental pediatric exposure. In response, Nutriband is partnering with Kindeva Drug Delivery to develop AVERSA™ FENTANYL. This product combines Nutriband's proprietary AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent technology with Kindeva's existing FDA-approved fentanyl patch. The goal is to create a transdermal delivery system that deters abuse and reduces the risk of accidental exposure while maintaining therapeutic access for patients who legitimately require prescription fentanyl for pain management.
According to Nutriband, AVERSA™ FENTANYL has the potential to become the first abuse-deterrent opioid patch available on the market. The company projects that the product could achieve peak annual U.S. sales in the range of $80 million to $200 million. The initial commercial focus will be on the U.S. market, with a stated long-term goal of achieving broader availability in other major global medical markets. The company's primary business is the development of transdermal pharmaceutical products, with this abuse-deterrent fentanyl patch as its lead candidate. More information about the company is available at https://www.nutriband.com.
The development of AVERSA™ FENTANYL represents a direct technological and business response to a critical regulatory and public health landscape. The executive order highlights the severe national security and health threats posed by illicit fentanyl, creating a heightened focus on all fentanyl-related products. For business and technology leaders, this underscores how regulatory actions can simultaneously create challenges and opportunities for companies operating in tightly controlled sectors like pharmaceuticals. Nutriband's strategy involves leveraging its proprietary AVERSA™ technology, which is designed to be incorporated into any transdermal patch to prevent the abuse, misuse, diversion, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential.
The partnership with Kindeva, which already possesses an approved fentanyl patch, is a strategic move to accelerate development and regulatory pathways. For the industry, a successful launch could set a new standard for opioid delivery, potentially influencing future regulatory requirements for abuse-deterrent formulations across other drug classes. The projected sales figures indicate a significant addressable market, reflecting the substantial economic burden of the opioid crisis and the demand for safer therapeutic options. Investors and industry observers can track further developments through the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NTRB.
