Nutriband Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRB) announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued patent number 12,318,492 on June 3, 2025, entitled "Abuse and Misuse Deterrent Transdermal Systems." This patent issuance strengthens the company's intellectual property portfolio for its proprietary AVERSA abuse deterrent technology, which aims to address the growing concern of prescription drug abuse through transdermal delivery systems.
Patent Strengthens Global IP Portfolio
The newly issued patent expands Nutriband's intellectual property protection in the United States for its portfolio of abuse deterrent transdermal products. The AVERSA technology is protected by a comprehensive international intellectual property portfolio with patents issued in 46 countries, including the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia, China, Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
This technology can be incorporated into transdermal patches to prevent the abuse, diversion, misuse, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential, addressing a critical safety concern in pain management.
Lead Product Shows Commercial Promise
Nutriband's lead product under development is Aversa Fentanyl, an abuse deterrent fentanyl transdermal system that has the potential to become the first abuse deterrent pain patch on the market. According to a Health Advances market analysis report from 2022, peak annual U.S. sales for this product are estimated to be $80 million to $200 million.
The company is primarily engaged in the development of a portfolio of transdermal pharmaceutical products, with the abuse-deterrent fentanyl patch incorporating AVERSA technology as its flagship development program.
Technology Mechanism and Applications
Nutriband's AVERSA abuse-deterrent transdermal technology incorporates aversive agents into transdermal patches to prevent the abuse, diversion, misuse, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential. The technology has the potential to improve the safety profile of transdermal drugs susceptible to abuse, such as fentanyl, while ensuring that these medications remain accessible to patients who legitimately need them.
The AVERSA technology can be incorporated into any transdermal patch to prevent the abuse, misuse, diversion, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential, making it a versatile platform technology for addressing prescription drug abuse across multiple therapeutic areas.
Development Challenges and Regulatory Path
The company faces several development challenges as outlined in its forward-looking statements, including the ability to develop its proposed abuse-deterrent fentanyl transdermal system and other proposed products, obtain necessary financing for product development and clinical testing, and secure FDA approval to market any developed products in the United States. Additionally, the company must obtain regulatory approvals necessary to market products in other countries, including European markets.
