Purdue Pharma Enters into Exclusive Option Agreement to Acquire SpineThera and Its Non-Opioid Product

Purdue Pharma L.P. and SpineThera, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into an agreement that provides Purdue the exclusive option to acquire SpineThera, Inc. and gain worldwide rights to its products and technology platforms, including lead asset SX600, a novel dexamethasone containing microsphere that is in development for epidural administration for low back pain. This technology has potential for development of non-opioid treatments for acute and chronic pain.

“We are pleased to partner with SpineThera to support further development of its novel steroid product for epidural injection for patients who suffer from low back pain,” said Craig Landau, MD, President and CEO, Purdue Pharma. “We are committed to alleviating pain through new and innovative non-opioid medicines. SX600 represents an exciting opportunity to meet this important medical need and advance our mission.”

Epidural steroid injections are a commonly performed procedure in the United States for low back pain, with approximately nine million performed annually in the U.S.1 The companies believe there is a substantial clinical need for an FDA-approved epidural steroid that demonstrates a long duration of pain relief with a favorable safety profile. The active ingredient in SX600 is dexamethasone acetate, which has been reformulated into an injectable micro-suspension containing microspheres that are much smaller than the particles in a standard corticosteroid suspension and smaller than a red blood cell. The active drug is encapsulated within these tiny biodegradable microspheres, which provides sustained release delivery of dexamethasone.

“We look forward to developing this important future product with the financial support of Purdue,” said Jeff Missling, CEO of SpineThera. “Their expertise in pain management is critical as we embark on this meaningful collaboration.”

Safety and tolerability of SX600 will be evaluated during the clinical development program, which will be initiated by SpineThera in 2019.

The agreement is subject to final shareholder approval and customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC acted as financial advisor and Fox Rothschild LLP served as legal counsel to SpineThera, Inc. on this transaction. Arnold & Porter served as legal counsel to Purdue Pharma L.P.