Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc (LON:HIK) (NASDAQ Dubai:HIK) (OTC:HKMPY) announced on Thursday the approval of KLOXXADO (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 8 mg by Health Canada for treating opioid overdoses in adult patients.

The nasal spray delivers 8 mg of naloxone hydrochloride per dose to reverse opioid overdose effects, such as respiratory and central nervous system depression.

Under a six-year commercial agreement, Emergent BioSolutions Inc (NASDAQ:EBS) will lead the marketing and sales of KLOXXADO in Canada, where it aims to increase access to intranasal naloxone. Emergent will work with Canadian agencies and private payers to make KLOXXADO available by prescription as early as 2026.

Hikma will continue to manufacture KLOXXADO at its Columbus, Ohio facility and supply it exclusively to Emergent for commercialisation. The approval of KLOXXADO Nasal Spray comes at a time when Health Canada has reported a decrease in overdose deaths, partly attributed to expanded naloxone distribution.