- Nutriband Inc. has been granted a new U.S. patent for its AVERSA(TM) transdermal abuse-deterrent technology, expanding its domestic IP coverage
- AVERSA(TM) is designed to prevent misuse, abuse, and accidental exposure of transdermal drugs with abuse potential, such as fentanyl
- With overdose deaths still plaguing the U.S., Nutriband’s platform has the potential to enhance drug safety across multiple therapeutic categories
The opioid crisis remains one of the most persistent public health emergencies in the U.S. While state and federal initiatives have helped curb some of the worst-case trajectories, more than 100,000 Americans still die each year from drug overdoses, a significant proportion linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The crisis is evolving, not disappearing, and the pharmaceutical industry continues to grapple with the challenge of balancing patient access with the need for safety and deterrence.
A key piece of the solution may lie not just in prescribing practices, but in the very design of the drug delivery systems themselves. That’s where companies like Nutriband (NASDAQ: NTRB) are stepping in with novel technologies that aim to prevent abuse at the product level. Recent developments, including a new patent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, show the company is doubling down on intellectual property protection as it pushes toward commercialization of its flagship solution.
Understanding the Role of Fentanyl Patches
Fentanyl patches are commonly prescribed for chronic, severe pain in opioid-tolerant patients, such as those with cancer or advanced neurological conditions. They deliver medication steadily over 72 hours, offering consistent relief and better adherence for long-term pain management.
Because fentanyl is 50–100 times stronger than morphine, the patches are not used for short-term or acute pain and carry serious risks, including respiratory depression and overdose, especially in opioid-naïve individuals.
Due to their potency, fentanyl patches are often misused through extraction and abuse, prompting regulatory scrutiny and the need for safer design. Nutriband’s Aversa technology addresses this by incorporating deterrents directly into the patch, helping prevent misuse while preserving therapeutic value. The Aversa platform incorporates extremely sour and incredibly spicy aversive agents into standard drug patches, to prevent tampering, misuse, and accidental exposure, without sacrificing therapeutic benefits for patients who genuinely need these medications.
A New Layer of Protection for Transdermal Drug Delivery
On June 3, 2025, the USPTO granted Patent No. 12,318,492 titled “Abuse and Misuse Deterrent Transdermal Systems”, expanding Nutriband’s domestic IP footprint. This complements an already robust global patent portfolio, with coverage across 46 countries including key pharmaceutical markets in Europe, Japan, China, and Australia.
This isn’t just a legal win; it’s a strategic one. The patent strengthens Nutriband’s ability to protect its competitive edge in a space where innovation can be quickly replicated without proper safeguards. It also enhances the potential value of licensing opportunities with major pharmaceutical firms who could integrate Aversa into their own transdermal offerings.
A Leading Candidate in Abuse-Deterrent Pain Management
At the forefront of Nutriband’s development pipeline is AVERSA(TM) Fentanyl, a transdermal pain patch infused with its abuse-deterrent technology. Fentanyl, despite its clinical importance in treating severe pain, is notoriously prone to abuse and diversion. Patches can be extracted, chewed, or otherwise manipulated to release dangerously high doses.
AVERSA(TM) Fentanyl aims to counter these risks, positioning itself as a first-in-class solution with real potential for impact. According to analysis from Health Advances, peak U.S. sales could range between $80 million and $200 million annually, should the product reach market approval and adoption.
In an industry where safety and efficacy often pull in opposite directions, Nutriband believes it has found a middle ground. Its technology ensures that the therapeutic integrity of transdermal drugs is maintained, while minimizing the potential for dangerous misuse.
An Expanding Opportunity Amid a Persistent Crisis
The importance of solutions like Nutriband’s is amplified by the ongoing realities of the opioid crisis. While recent reports, such as a Virginia Governor’s press release highlighting falling overdose rates in specific counties, suggest progress, the nationwide picture remains troubling. Synthetic opioids continue to outpace other drug categories in overdose fatalities, and the rise of counterfeit medications only worsens the landscape.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has long sought innovation in this space, even launching a dedicated Innovation Challenge to spur development of devices and formulations that can prevent or treat opioid use disorder. Nutriband’s platform aligns directly with that mission, providing a product-based safeguard rather than relying solely on behavioral or systemic interventions.
What makes Aversa especially promising is its scalability. Though its initial focus is on fentanyl, the technology could theoretically be applied to any transdermal product susceptible to abuse, opening doors to future formulations in other high-risk categories.
Intellectual Property as a Growth Catalyst
In the pharmaceutical world, IP protection is more than just legal paperwork; it’s a growth engine. NTRB’s ongoing expansion of its patent estate reflects a commitment not just to innovation, but to long-term commercial viability. With patents now secured in 46 countries, the company is laying the groundwork for potential partnerships, licensing agreements, and product rollouts in multiple geographies.
This strategy offers more than just downside protection. It positions Nutriband to benefit from global tailwinds in drug safety regulation. As governments worldwide tighten oversight of high-risk medications, technologies like Aversa that preemptively reduce risk may gain regulatory and market preference.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Nutriband.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NTRB are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NTRB
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