AntiFENT - a novel antidote for fentanyl overdose victims

In the ongoing opioid epidemic in the USA, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are estimated to be responsible for over 70% of all overdoses. It is estimated that 196 Americans die every day, and the Centers for Disease Control has declared these substances as the deadliest in America. Opioid overdose is the most common cause of death among young adults (18-50 years) in the USA and accounted for over 100,000 deaths in 2021. Both intentional and unintentional abuse of fentanyl, as well as overdoses caused by accidental exposure, occur across all social classes in the USA. The AntiFENT qualification project aimed to develop a new product to reverse fentanyl overdoses. The project was based on research from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and represented a new, potentially life-saving way to treat fentanyl overdoses by reversing the motor activity triggered by fentanyl. The approved treatment for opioid overdose today is naloxone. Naloxone spray is widespread and provides high survival rates for heroin overdoses. Unfortunately, naloxone has shown a lower effect on overdoses of these substances. Recent research indicates that naloxone has less effect in reversing motor activity associated with fentanyl overdose, which may explain the high mortality rate associated with fentanyl misuse. The qualification project is now successfully concluded with results supporting the long-term goal of contributing to reducing deaths caused by fentanyl overdoses.

[Norsk] Resultatene av prosjektet inkluderer økt kompetanse: ¤ Blant prosjektdeltakere og utvalgte farmasøytiske selskaper (potensielle lisenstakere) angående våre nye terapeutiske mekanisme for å målrette behandlingen av fentanyl- og fentanylanalogoverdoser, og dermed: (i) øke interessen for nye behandlingsstrategier for fentanyloverdoseofre, og (ii) legge grunnlaget for endring av praksis blant medisinsk personell og førstehjelpsarbeidere som håndterer overdosetilfeller. ¤ Blant prosjektdeltakere angående bransjespesifikke krav til terapeutiske løsninger, og dermed: (i) sikre en bedre produkttilpasning til markedet, og (ii) posisjonere teknologien for prekliniske og kliniske utprøvning. [English] The outcomes of the project include increased competence: ¤ Among project participants and selected pharmaceutical companies (potential licensees) regarding our new therapeutic mechanism for targeting the treatment of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue overdoses, thereby: (i) increasing interest in new treatment strategies for fentanyl overdose victims, and (ii) laying the groundwork for changes in practice among medical personnel and first aid workers handling overdose cases. ¤ Among project participants regarding industry-specific requirements for therapeutic solutions, thereby: (i) ensuring better product adaptation to the market, and (ii) positioning the technology for preclinical and clinical trials.