Nutriband Founder Returns as CEO to Lead Final Development of AVERSA Fentanyl Abuse-Deterrent Patch

Nutriband Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRB) announced that company founder Gareth Sheridan has returned to his position as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Sheridan takes over from Co-Founder and Chairman Serguei Melnik, who temporarily served in the CEO role. This leadership transition comes at a critical juncture as the company prepares for the final development phase of its flagship product, AVERSA Fentanyl.

The timing of Sheridan's return is strategically aligned with the company's 2025 development framework, which aims to culminate in an expected New Drug Application (NDA) filing in 2026 for AVERSA Fentanyl. This abuse-deterrent opioid patch represents a significant advancement in pain management technology, specifically designed to prevent misuse and accidental exposure to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has been at the center of the ongoing opioid crisis.

AVERSA Fentanyl incorporates the company's proprietary AVERSA technology, which can be integrated into any transdermal patch to deter abuse, misuse, diversion, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential. The technology's protective measures are particularly relevant given the current opioid epidemic, where traditional fentanyl patches have been subject to various forms of misuse, including extraction of the active ingredient for unintended use.

The market potential for AVERSA Fentanyl is substantial, with peak annual United States sales estimated between $80 million and $200 million. This projection reflects the significant need for safer opioid delivery systems amid growing regulatory pressure and public health concerns surrounding opioid medications. The company's primary focus remains the development of a portfolio of transdermal pharmaceutical products, with AVERSA Fentanyl as the lead candidate.

Intellectual property protection forms a crucial component of Nutriband's strategy, with the AVERSA technology protected by patents in 46 countries worldwide, including major pharmaceutical markets such as the United States, Europe, and Japan. This extensive patent coverage provides competitive advantages and potentially creates barriers to entry for similar products. Additional company information is available through their corporate website at https://www.nutriband.com.

The development of abuse-deterrent formulations represents an important frontier in addressing the opioid crisis while maintaining access to effective pain management for legitimate medical needs. Regulatory agencies have increasingly emphasized the importance of such technologies, creating potential pathways for accelerated review and approval of products that demonstrate meaningful abuse-deterrent properties. The full press release detailing this leadership transition and product development timeline can be accessed at https://ibn.fm/3r3N9.

As Nutriband progresses toward its 2026 NDA filing target, the pharmaceutical industry will be watching closely to see how this abuse-deterrent technology performs in late-stage development and regulatory review. Successful development and approval of AVERSA Fentanyl could establish new standards for opioid safety while addressing a critical public health need. Investors and stakeholders can monitor the company's progress through its newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NTRB.