Kaleo, CHMI partner to reduce prescription drug-related deaths

Jan 27 2015

Kaleo, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, today announced a national strategic partnership with the Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, that will help support its goal of cutting prescription drug-related deaths in half, saving approximately 10,000 lives over five years. In partnership with CHMI, kaleo will make EVZIO^® (naloxone HCl injection) Auto-Injector, an emergency treatment for opioid overdose, available at a discount to colleges and universities, public safety organizations and community organizations placing this potentially life-saving medicine in the hands of those who can intervene quickly.

"I am pleased kaleo has taken this important step with our Health Matters Initiative to create a nationwide expansion of this lifesaving medication by establishing a more predictable and affordable pricing arrangement for law enforcement professionals, community programs, and colleges and universities around the country," said President Bill Clinton.

Opioid overdose is a growing public health epidemic. Forty-four (44) people die from prescription opioids every day in the United States, most occur in the home and are witnessed by family or friends. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014, EVZIO is the only naloxone product approved for immediate use as emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in settings where opioids may be present, such as in a home or college dormitory. There is no generic equivalent to EVZIO.

The partnership between kaleo and CHMI is an outcome of an April 2014 working meeting convened by CHMI, in which the FDA and key stakeholders in government, industry, and community groups met to identify opportunities to expand naloxone access in local communities.

The new endeavor, announced on Monday at the Clinton Foundation's Health Matters Annual Activation Summit in California, will make EVZIO available at a discount close to federal pricing, such as the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), to qualifying organizations that are not covered by insurance or eligible for FSS pricing.

"The Clinton Health Matters Initiative is interested in finding real solutions to a problem that is devastating our communities, and we are honored to be their partner in this effort," said Spencer Williamson, the Chief Executive Officer of kaleo. "As a company committed to saving lives, nothing makes us prouder than knowing our product is making a difference on the frontline of this epidemic."

Seconds count during an opioid overdose; without rapid intervention, brain injury or death can occur within minutes. Visual and voice instructions that guide a person through the injection process make EVZIO easy to use by friends, caregivers or first responders during a suspected opioid emergency. Although not a substitute for emergency medical care, the immediate use of EVZIO may temporarily reverse the effects of the opioid to help keep the person breathing until emergency medical care arrives.

SOURCE Kaleo