Heron Therapeutics Announces Prior Approval Supplement Submission to the FDA for ZYNRELEF® Vial Access Needle ("VAN")

Rhea-AI Summary

Heron Therapeutics announced the submission of a Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) to the FDA for the ZYNRELEF Vial Access Needle (VAN). The VAN aims to replace the current vented vial spike (VVS) in ZYNRELEF kits, reducing preparation time significantly from up to 3 minutes to 20-45 seconds. The VAN's user-friendly design is expected to simplify aseptic preparation and potentially increase adoption. FDA review completion is anticipated within 4-6 months. ZYNRELEF, approved in May 2021, is noted for its efficacy in postoperative pain management compared to bupivacaine solution, showing lower pain scores and reduced opioid consumption.

Positive

• Submission of PAS to FDA for ZYNRELEF VAN, aiming to improve product preparation.
• Reduction in preparation time from up to 3 minutes to 20-45 seconds with VAN.
• User-friendly VAN design may enhance safe use and increase ZYNRELEF adoption.
• ZYNRELEF has shown superior efficacy in postoperative pain management compared to bupivacaine.
• Potential for increased market penetration due to improved product handling.

Negative

• FDA review process may take 4-6 months, delaying potential market improvements.
• ZYNRELEF contains NSAIDs, increasing risks of heart attack, stroke, and gastrointestinal issues.
• ZYNRELEF side effects include vomiting, constipation, headache, and serious systemic impacts.

SAN DIEGO, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX) ("Heron" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage biotechnology company, today announced the Prior Approval Supplement ("PAS") submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for ZYNRELEF^® (bupivacaine and meloxicam) extended-release solution Vial Access Needle ("VAN").

Heron expects to receive the assigned action date for completion of the FDA's review of this PAS within the next several weeks and anticipates an action date on this PAS to be between four (4) and six (6) months.

The ZYNRELEF kit contains a ready-to-use vial and all necessary components for needle-free application to the patient. The current kit contains a vented vial spike ("VVS") which can take up to three (3) minutes to complete product withdrawal, requiring coordination between both sterile and nonsterile personnel. If approved, the introduction of the VAN will replace the VVS and has the potential to simplify aseptic preparation, while also significantly reducing ZYNRELEF's withdrawal time down to twenty (20) – forty-five (45) seconds. The user-friendly "container-like" design of the VAN may enhance the safe use of ZYNRELEF, increase adoption, and improve the preparation process.

"This VAN submission for ZYNRELEF directly addresses feedback Heron has received from healthcare providers around the need to improve the preparation of ZYNRELEF for use. We are excited that this has the potential to simplify preparation and introduce a more streamlined process for our clinicians, allowing for more patients to experience significant pain relief following surgery," said Dr. Bill Forbes, Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer at Heron.

ZYNRELEF is the first and only therapy for postoperative pain management to be rigorously tested in Phase 3 studies and demonstrate superiority to bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care. ZYNRELEF demonstrated superiority compared to bupivacaine with lower pain scores, fewer patients experiencing severe pain, and lower opioid consumption. ZYNRELEF was initially approved by the FDA in May 2021, received approval of the first supplemental New Drug Application ("sNDA") for an expanded label in December 2021, followed by the second sNDA for an expanded label in January 2024.

Important Safety Information for Patients

ZYNRELEF contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), a type of medicine which:

• can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk increases with higher doses and longer use of an NSAID.
• cannot be used during heart bypass surgery.
• can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and tears.

ZYNRELEF should also not be used:

• if you are allergic to any component of ZYNRELEF, similar local anesthetics, aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction after taking any of these medicines.
• as a paracervical block, during childbirth.

The most common side effects of ZYNRELEF are soft tissue procedures: vomiting and orthopedic procedures: constipation and headache.

The medicines in ZYNRELEF (a local anesthetic and an NSAID) may affect the nervous and cardiovascular system; may cause liver or kidney problems; may reduce the effects of some blood pressure medicines; should be avoided if you have severe heart failure; may cause adverse effects on cartilage; may cause a rare blood disorder, or life-threatening skin or allergic reactions; may harm your unborn baby if received at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later; and may cause low red blood cells (anemia).

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and about all the medicines you take including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements to discuss if ZYNRELEF is right for you.

Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. Report side effects to Heron at 1-844-437-6611 or to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The information provided here is not comprehensive. Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

About ZYNRELEF for Postoperative Pain

ZYNRELEF is the first and only dual-acting local anesthetic that delivers a fixed-dose combination of the local anesthetic bupivacaine and a low dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam. ZYNRELEF is the first and only extended-release local anesthetic to demonstrate in Phase 3 studies significantly reduced pain and significantly increased proportion of patients requiring no opioids through the first 72 hours following surgery compared to bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care local anesthetic for postoperative pain control. ZYNRELEF was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") in May 2021 for use in adults for soft tissue or periarticular instillation to produce postsurgical analgesia for up to 72 hours after bunionectomy, open inguinal herniorrhaphy and total knee arthroplasty. In December 2021, the FDA approved an expansion of ZYNRELEF's indication to include foot and ankle, small-to-medium open abdominal, and lower extremity total joint arthroplasty surgical procedures. On January 23, 2024, the FDA approved ZYNRELEF for soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures including foot and ankle, and other procedures in which direct exposure to articular cartilage is avoided. Safety and efficacy have not been established in highly vascular surgeries, such as intrathoracic, large multilevel spinal, and head and neck procedures.

Please see full prescribing information, including Boxed Warning, at www.ZYNRELEF.com.

About Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing and commercializing therapeutic innovations that improve medical care. Our advanced science, patented technologies, and innovative approach to drug discovery and development have allowed us to create and commercialize a portfolio of products that aim to advance the standard-of-care for acute care and oncology patients. For more information, visit www.herontx.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Heron cautions readers that forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the potential market opportunities for ZYNRELEF, APONVIE, CINVANTI and SUSTOL; revenue, adjusted EBITDA and other financial guidance provided by the Company; the results of the commercial launch of APONVIE; the potential additional market opportunity for the expanded U.S. label for ZYNRELEF; the timing of the Company's development of the VAN program and receipt of required regulatory approvals; our ability to establish and maintain successful commercial arrangements like our co-promotion agreement CrossLink Life Sciences; the outcome of the Company's pending ANDA litigation; whether the Company is required to write-off any additional inventory in the future; the expected future balances of Heron's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments; the expected duration over which Heron's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balances will fund its operations and the risk that future equity financings may be needed; any inability or delay in achieving profitability. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date, and Heron takes no obligation to update or revise these statements except as may be required by law.

Investor Relations and Media Contact:

Ira Duarte
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
iduarte@herontx.com
858-251-4400

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SOURCE Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What is the recent submission by Heron Therapeutics to the FDA?

Heron submitted a Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) for the ZYNRELEF Vial Access Needle (VAN).

How will the ZYNRELEF Vial Access Needle improve preparation time?

The VAN will reduce preparation time from up to 3 minutes to 20-45 seconds.

When does Heron expect the FDA to complete the review of the PAS for ZYNRELEF VAN?

Heron anticipates the FDA review to be completed within 4-6 months.

What advantages does ZYNRELEF offer over bupivacaine for postoperative pain management?

ZYNRELEF provides lower pain scores, fewer severe pain cases, and reduced opioid consumption.

What are the potential risks associated with ZYNRELEF?

ZYNRELEF contains NSAIDs, increasing risks of heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other systemic issues.