Heron Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: HRTX) has announced the commercial availability of ZYNRELEF, an extended-release solution, at all major national wholesalers and specialty distributors across the US.
FDA approved ZYNRELEF in May
ZYNRELEF received FDA approval on May 12, 2021, for use in individuals with pariarticular installation or soft tissue to generate [postsurgical analgesia for around 72 hours following open inguinal herniorrhaphym bunionectomy and total knee arthroplasty.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Heron Barry Quart said, “We are pleased that ZYNRELEF is now available for ordering at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) across the United States, as the first and only extended-release dual-acting local anesthetic. ZYNRELEF is the only local anesthetic for postoperative pain designated by the FDA to be extended-release for up to 72 hours after surgery, which may help patients and healthcare providers reduce overreliance on opioids but also mitigate exposure to their unwanted side effects and the potential for long-term safety risks like opioid misuse, abuse, or addiction.”
Heron’s sales team making progress
The company’s new acute care sales force has vast experience in the surgery room, postoperative pain, and hospital start-up. Through CINVANTI’s launch in 2018, the company’s commercial team has a strong track record of hospital achievement. In addition, the team has been engaging major clients and has signed deals with Vizient and Premier Inc., two of the largest group purchasing organizations, for ZYNRELEF.
ZYNRELEF is a fixed-dose combination of bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, and meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Compared to the bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care, the synergy between bupivacaine and meloxicam in ZYNRELEF resulted in patients feeling much less pain, even severe pain, and significantly most patients required no opioids (opioid-free) after surgery. Most common ZYNRELEF side effects include headache, vomiting, and constipation.