Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Prior Approval Supplement Application for the Zynrelef® (bupivacaine and meloxicam) extended-release solution Vial Access Needle (VAN). This approval marks a significant step in enhancing the administration and adoption of Zynrelef for postoperative pain management.
The VAN is designed to replace the current vented vial spike, offering a simplified aseptic preparation process and reducing Zynrelef's withdrawal time to between 20 and 45 seconds. The user-friendly, container-like design is expected to improve the safe use of Zynrelef, increase its adoption among healthcare providers, and streamline the preparation process.
Streamlining Postoperative Pain Management
Bill Forbes, PharmD, Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer at Heron, stated, "With this approval, we are providing healthcare providers with a new mechanism that directly addresses one of ZYNRELEF's adoption hurdles and will help reduce preparation time for surgical staff." He emphasized the importance of reducing patients' pain during the first three days after surgery for improved recovery and well-being, anticipating that the VAN will lead to increased Zynrelef adoption.
Key Benefits of the Vial Access Needle (VAN)
The VAN offers several potential benefits:
- Simplified Aseptic Preparation: The design streamlines the preparation process, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Reduced Withdrawal Time: Significantly cuts down the time required to withdraw the solution, enhancing efficiency.
- Enhanced Safety: The user-friendly design promotes safer handling and administration of Zynrelef.
Zynrelef: A Dual-Acting Local Anesthetic
Zynrelef is the first and only dual-acting local anesthetic that delivers a fixed-dose combination of bupivacaine and meloxicam. It has demonstrated in Phase 3 studies a significant reduction in pain and a significantly increased proportion of patients requiring no opioids through the first 72 hours following surgery, compared to bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care local anesthetic for postoperative pain control.
Zynrelef was initially approved by the FDA in May 2021 for use in adults for soft tissue or periarticular instillation to produce postsurgical analgesia for up to 72 hours after bunionectomy, open inguinal herniorrhaphy, and total knee arthroplasty. Its indication has since been expanded to include foot and ankle, small-to-medium open abdominal, and lower extremity total joint arthroplasty surgical procedures.
Future Outlook
Craig Collard, Chief Executive Officer at Heron, noted that the VAN approval, along with Zynrelef's January label expansion and its inclusion in the proposed 2025 Non-Opioid Policy for Pain Relief (NOPAIN Act), marks significant progress for Zynrelef. The company anticipates launching the VAN in Q4 2024 and remains optimistic about its transformative impact on postoperative pain management.
Important Safety Information
Zynrelef contains an NSAID, which carries risks of heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and tears. It is contraindicated in patients with allergies to any component of Zynrelef, similar local anesthetics, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, and should not be used during heart bypass surgery or as a paracervical block during childbirth. Common side effects include vomiting (soft tissue procedures) and constipation and headache (orthopedic procedures).
