Consort Medical plc announced a significant new contract with Opiant Pharmaceuticals Inc. Consort and Opiant intend to develop a ready-to-use nasal-delivered version of nalmefene for the reversal of opioid overdose. Opioid overdose is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for adults under the age of 50. Under the agreement, both of Consort's wholly owned subsidiaries, Aesica and Bespak, will work with Opiant to produce a clinically pre-filled Unidose Xtra device with nalmefene.

As part of the agreement, Aesica will supply Opiant with clinical samples and registration batches for the purposes of performing clinical studies and obtaining regulatory approvals. In addition, upon approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Aesica and Bespak will manufacture and supply the Unidose Xtra device for commercial purposes. The programme will be added to Consort's development pipeline and be referred to as NAS040.