Eagle Pharma, NIH/NIDA Enter Agreement

Eagle Pharmaceuticals has entered into an agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to explore the use of Ryanodex in the treatment of hyperthermia related to MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine intoxication, which is a life-threatening condition mostly affecting adolescents and young adults. The preclinical studies will be conducted by NIDA beginning in the summer of 2016 utilizing a well-characterized animal model. Initial results of the focused studies are anticipated in late 2016 or early 2017.

“We are very pleased to be working alongside the NIH to explore the potential of Ryanodex to reduce elevated body and brain temperature resulting from the use of ecstasy and methamphetamine,” said Scott Tarriff, president and chief executive officer, Eagle Pharmaceuticals. “Results of our recently completed clinical study of Ryanodex for exertional heat stroke indicated that patients receiving Ryanodex in addition to standard of care, which is currently limited to body cooling and supportive measures, experienced an incremental therapeutic benefit over patients receiving SOC only.”