SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Opiant”) (OTCQB:OPNT), a specialty pharmaceutical company developing pharmacological treatments for substance use, addictive and eating disorders, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with SWK Holdings Corporation (“SWK”), whereby SWK will acquire rights to certain royalties and milestone payments related to the sales of NARCAN® Nasal Spray for the treatment of opioid overdose for up to $17.5 million. The Company received $13.7 million at closing and is eligible to receive an additional $3.75 million contingent on the achievement of certain future net sales milestones.
“This transformative transaction validates the power of our technology and the potential of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, the first and only FDA-approved emergency treatment of its kind for opioid overdose,” said Roger Crystal, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Opiant. “Additionally, this transaction provides us with immediate funding to accelerate development of our promising pipeline of addiction disorder treatments, and allows us to retain a significant portion of our potential upside from NARCAN® sales. We look forward to the continued success of NARCAN® under the leadership of our commercialization partner, Adapt Pharma.”
“We are excited to partner with Opiant by providing a creative non-dilutive financing option for the Company,” said Winston Black, Chief Executive Officer of SWK Holdings Corporation. “We believe NARCAN® Nasal Spray is a valuable weapon for all stakeholders in the fight against the opioid overdose epidemic.”
NARCAN® Nasal Spray is the only FDA-approved naloxone nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. Opiant licensed commercialization rights to NARCAN® Nasal Spray to Adapt Pharma Limited (“Adapt Pharma”) and could receive total potential milestone payments of more than $55 million and up to double-digit royalties on net sales. Adapt Pharma launched NARCAN® Nasal Spray in the United States and Canada in 2016.
Torreya Partners LLC acted as financial adviser and DLA Piper LLC acted as legal adviser to Opiant on the transaction.
Indications and Important Safety Information: http://www.NarcanNasalSpray.com.
About SWK Holdings Corporation
SWK Holdings Corporation is a specialized finance company with a focus on the global healthcare sector. SWK partners with ethical product marketers and royalty holders to provide flexible financing solutions at an attractive cost of capital to create long-term value for both SWK’s business partners and its investors. SWK believes its financing structures achieve an optimal partnership for companies, institutions and inventors seeking capital for expansion or capital and estate planning by allowing its partners to monetize future cash flow with minimal dilution to their equity stakes. Additional information on the life science finance market is available on the Company’s website at www.swkhold.com.
About Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing pharmacological treatments for substance use, addictive and eating disorders. Over 45 million people in the U.S. have one of these 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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