SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Opiant”) (OTCQB:OPNT), a specialty pharmaceutical company developing pharmacological treatments for addictions and eating disorders, today announced the completion of a study evaluating two doses of a naloxone nasal spray on the occupation of brain opiate receptors using PET imaging. The study was commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Welfare of Finland and was carried out by researchers at Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST) and Turku PET Centre, a leading international PET center.
The purpose of the study was to determine the extent and time course of brain mu opioid receptor occupancy following the administration of two doses (four milligrams and two milligrams) in healthy volunteers. Mu opioid receptors mediate the actions of both prescription opioids and illicit drugs such as heroin, and high occupancy of these receptors by opioids is responsible for the clinical symptoms of overdose such as respiratory depression that can often be fatal.
“We are highly encouraged by the results of this study, which support the potential advantages of the 4 milligram dose of nasal naloxone,” said Dr. Roger Crystal, Chief Executive Officer of Opiant. “With the precision of PET imaging, we were able to assess for the first time the mu opioid receptor occupancy of naloxone in many different regions of the brain. The study demonstrates that the 4 milligram dose results in a greater and more rapid occupancy of mu opioid receptors than the lower 2 milligram dose. With increasing numbers of opioid overdose deaths due to more potent opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil, this higher dose may be even more relevant.”
“This study attests to Opiant’s ongoing commitment to innovation in the addiction and opioid overdose space, and these data may have relevance to our broader pipeline,” Dr. Crystal concluded.
This study was the first use of PET imaging to assess nasal naloxone on opioid receptor dynamics. The 4 milligram dose resulted in a larger degree of receptor occupancy in the brain than the 2 milligram dose, and receptor occupancy was also achieved more rapidly with the 4 milligram dose. Nasal naloxone was safe and well tolerated at both dose levels.
Opiant participated in the funding of this study with an unrestricted academic grant. The study results will soon be independently published in a scientific journal.
About Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing pharmacological treatments for addictions and eating disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), describes these disorders as chronic relapsing brain diseases which burden society at both the individual and community levels. With its innovative opioid antagonist nasal delivery technology, Opiant is positioned to become a leader in these treatment markets. Its first product, NARCAN® Nasal Spray, is approved for marketing in the U.S. and Canada by the company’s partner, Adapt Pharma Limited. For more information please visit: www.opiant.com.
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