Emergent BioSolutions Continues Driving Progress Against the Opioid Epidemic & Recognizes National Naloxone Awareness Day

Rhea-AI Summary

Emergent BioSolutions is highlighting its efforts against the opioid epidemic in the U.S. on National Naloxone Awareness Day. The company shared results from a new survey on public understanding of opioid overdoses and fentanyl, revealing high awareness but gaps in certain demographics. Despite a recent decrease in opioid-related deaths, fentanyl poisonings remain a significant concern with over 100,000 deaths in 2023.

Emergent aims to increase access to its FDA-approved NARCAN® Nasal Spray, the first over-the-counter naloxone product, distributing about 11 million cartons in 2023. The company engages in educational campaigns and collaborates with the White House to enhance training and access to naloxone. Emergent remains committed to broadening awareness and availability to combat opioid overdoses effectively.

Positive

• High public awareness of naloxone and its effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses.
• Distribution of approximately 11 million cartons of NARCAN® Nasal Spray in 2023.
• FDA approval of NARCAN® Nasal Spray as the first over-the-counter naloxone product.
• Ongoing collaboration with the White House and public interest groups to enhance training and access to naloxone.
• Commitment to broadening consumer access and awareness through educational initiatives like the Ready to Rescue campaign.

Negative

• Gaps in understanding the role of naloxone among certain age groups and populations.
• Despite efforts, over 100,000 deaths were still attributed to opioid overdoses in 2023.
• Continued rise in fentanyl poisonings, posing a significant challenge.

• Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard of care for opioid overdose reversal in a community setting
• New topline survey findings reinforce the need for continued education on naloxone

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of National Naloxone Awareness Day, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) is highlighting its ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in the U.S., including topline results from its new general population awareness survey on consumers’ understanding of opioid-related accidental overdose and fentanyl. The results show that there is a high level of awareness that fentanyl is an opioid, and that naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl.¹ It also found that there are still gaps in certain age groups and populations in understanding the role of naloxone in reversing opioid overdoses related to fentanyl.¹

While recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a first annual decrease in opioid-related deaths since 2018 in the U.S., fentanyl poisonings are still on the rise and over 100,000 lives were still lost to preventable opioid overdose death in 2023.²

“Combating the opioid crisis takes a holistic approach across sectors, and Emergent is committed to raise awareness, increase access and availability of over-the-counter NARCAN^® Nasal Spray making it possible for anyone to save a life,” said Paul Williams, senior vice president, products head at Emergent. “National Naloxone Awareness Day commemorates Victoria Siegel’s tragic death from accidental overdose on June 6, 2015, as well as all lives lost from overdose, while heightening awareness and expanding access to life-saving naloxone, the standard of care for opioid overdose reversal.”

NARCAN^® Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first-ever U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. In addition to expanding the availability through OTC measures, Emergent works to increase awareness through a multi-pronged, extensive approach that includes educational tools, resources, and public education efforts like the Ready to Rescue campaign.

As a part of the National Naloxone Awareness Day efforts, Emergent met with the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) this week to strategize on new and improved ways Emergent can collaborate across industries to improve the lives of Americans. Congruent to these efforts, Emergent supports the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, a nationwide call-to-action to increase training on and access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications.

Since the prescription launch of NARCAN^® Nasal Spray in 2016, approximately 64 million doses have been distributed across the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, Emergent delivered approximately 11 million cartons (approximately 22 million doses), and remains committed to ensuring broad access, awareness and strong supply to meet expected growing demand in 2024 to support distribution efforts across the country.

Williams added, “In addition to working with critical public interest groups and broadening consumer access in the OTC retail setting, Emergent is also engaging with partners who are aligned with our mission to expand access, awareness and availability of NARCAN^® Nasal Spray to educate and reach businesses and employers. All of the critical work we do each and every day, as well as the survey data we have collected, helps us understand and respond to the opioid epidemic as it continues to evolve.”

About the Survey
On behalf of Emergent, Bryter Global surveyed a representative sample of 2,010 Americans (adults 18+) and found that awareness of naloxone’s ability to reverse a fentanyl overdose is relatively high (72 percent). However, more than half of the respondents did not think that naloxone nasal spray availability is very relevant to them, highlighting a gap in awareness of the life-saving product.  

Younger generations aged 18-34 and those with lower levels of education (up to high school) were less likely to be aware naloxone can reverse the effects of fentanyl, putting these already vulnerable populations at further risk. These results emphasize the need for continued education to increase public understanding of naloxone’s role in preventing fentanyl-related deaths.  

About NARCAN^® Nasal Spray
NARCAN^® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN^® Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be necessary. Use as directed.

To learn more about this life-saving medicine and access resources, education and advocacy tools, visit NARCAN.com.

About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and enhance life. For 25 years, we’ve been at work defending people from things we hope will never happen—so we are prepared just in case they ever do. We provide solutions for complex and urgent public health threats through a portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics that we develop and manufacture for governments and consumers. We also offer a range of integrated contract development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. To learn more about how we plan to protect or enhance 1 billion lives by 2030, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by using words like “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “position,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or variations thereof, or the negative thereof, but these terms are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding future events based on information that is currently available. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will be accurate. Readers should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or if known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from our expectations. Readers are, therefore, cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances.

There are a number of important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. Readers should consider this cautionary statement, as well as the risk factors and other disclosures included in our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, when evaluating our forward-looking statements.

¹ Bryter Inc. interviewed 2,010 American adults online between May 10 and May 12, 2024. The survey was designed representative of the American adult (18+) population by age, gender, region and household income. Data on file.

² Statement from CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deb Houry on 2023 Overdose Death Data. CDC Newsroom. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-overdose-data.html. Accessed on May 21, 2024.

Investor Contact:
Richard S. Lindahl
Executive Vice President, CFO
lindahlr@ebsi.com

Media Contact:
Assal Hellmer
Vice President, Communications
mediarelations@ebsi.com

FAQ

What efforts is Emergent BioSolutions making to combat the opioid epidemic?

Emergent BioSolutions is increasing access to and awareness of naloxone, particularly through its FDA-approved over-the-counter NARCAN® Nasal Spray, educational campaigns, and collaboration with public interest groups and the White House.

What is National Naloxone Awareness Day?

National Naloxone Awareness Day is observed to raise awareness about naloxone's life-saving potential in reversing opioid overdoses and commemorates lives lost to overdose, including Victoria Siegel's death on June 6, 2015.

How many doses of NARCAN® Nasal Spray has Emergent distributed?

Since its prescription launch in 2016, approximately 64 million doses have been distributed, with about 11 million cartons (approximately 22 million doses) delivered in 2023.

What did the recent survey by Emergent BioSolutions reveal?

The survey revealed a high awareness of fentanyl being an opioid and that naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, but also highlighted gaps in understanding among certain demographics.

What is the significance of NARCAN® Nasal Spray receiving FDA approval?

NARCAN® Nasal Spray is the first FDA-approved over-the-counter naloxone product, which expands its availability and means anyone can access it to help reverse opioid overdoses.

How is Emergent BioSolutions collaborating with the White House?

Emergent BioSolutions is working with the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy to strategize on new ways to enhance training and access to naloxone, supporting the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose.