As the opioid crisis continues to escalate, it has become clear that traditional overdose treatments, while life-saving, leave critical gaps. At Auros Pharma, we took a different approach to solving this challenge. ResPen was developed to address the root cause of overdose deaths: respiratory failure.
A Paradigm Shift in Overdose Treatment
Most current treatments, such as naloxone, widely known as Narcan, focus on reversing the effects of opioids. While these treatments effectively address many cases, they face limitations due to the increasing strength of opioids like fentanyl and their inability to tackle non-opioid overdoses, such as those caused by sedatives or veterinary anesthetics. ResPen, however, is different. It is designed to stimulate breathing directly by targeting the body’s natural respiratory centers. This method guarantees that when standard opioid-blocking medications aren’t effective, ResPen can make a real difference and help save lives.
Designed for Everyone, Everywhere
Ease of use was a priority in ResPen’s development. Much like the Narcan Nasal Spray, ResPen will be available in a user-friendly auto-injector format comparable to an EpiPen. This allows bystanders, first responders, or anyone who isn’t a medical professional to give the medication quickly and safely. The auto-injector prioritizes safety, featuring no exposed needles, making it practical for urgent situations with high stress levels.
Filling Critical Gaps in Current Treatments
Traditional overdose treatments are limited by their mechanism of action. They block opioids but cannot address respiratory failure caused by non-opioid substances or excessively high doses of opioids. ResPen directly stimulates the body’s natural breathing processes, bypassing these limitations.
This innovative approach is a game changer for treating overdoses, especially with the increasing issue of mixed overdoses, where people take both opioids and non-opioid drugs. ResPen provides a broader safety net for anyone experiencing respiratory distress, no matter what substances they’ve taken.
Empowering Caregivers and First Responders
A key benefit of ResPen is that it can deliver critical help during an overdose without disturbing the person who is affected. In contrast to naloxone, which can cause abrupt withdrawal symptoms leading to combative or aggressive behavior, ResPen allows bystanders and first responders to deliver care safely. This reduces the risk to caregivers and ensures the individual can receive continued medical assistance without unnecessary complications.
ResPen’s Rapid and Effective Response
In overdose situations, the speed of response is vital, and ResPen stands out in this regard. It can start working in as little as 90 seconds, often acting faster than alternatives like Narcan Nasal Spray. ResPen facilitates oxygen delivery to essential organs by directly stimulating respiration, providing crucial time for necessary medical assistance.
Innovating Through Collaboration
The development of ResPen has been significantly shaped by input from first responders, government agencies, and community leaders who deal with overdose situations daily. Thanks to this collaborative effort, we created a practical, effective solution that addresses the real challenges faced in the field.
Revolutionizing Overdose Care
ResPen marks a significant turning point in overdose treatment. Instead of just focusing on the substances themselves, it prioritizes life-saving respiration. This innovative approach could save thousands of lives yearly as a crucial addition to our current public health strategies.
At Auros Pharma, our mission has always been to save and improve lives through purpose-driven innovation. With ResPen, we are proud to take a significant step toward closing the gaps in overdose care.
As we move closer to bringing ResPen to market, we remain committed to advancing this mission, ensuring everyone has access to life-saving care when it matters most.
