Latest news with #NRx
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRXP) Granted FDA Fast Track Designation for NRX-100 for Suicidal Ideation in Patients with Depression, including Bipolar Depression
This designation expands the addressable population for NRX-100 to the 13 million Americans who consider suicide each year and represents a 10x expansion of the addressable population compared to the Designation granted in 2017 for bipolar depression alone The Designation includes an FDA determination that NRX-100 has the potential to address an unmet need, based on FDA's assessment of the data submitted Determination of "unmet need" is a requirement for a Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program. Suicide is a public health crisis. Approximately 13 million adults seriously consider suicide each year, according to the CDC, 3.7 million make a plan to commit suicide. An American dies from suicide every 11 minutes. Active-duty personnel, veterans, and first responders have a four-fold higher risk of suicide. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:NRXP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to NRX-100 for the treatment of suicidal ideation in patients with depression, including bipolar depression. This designation for NRX-100 as a standalone drug is a 10-fold expansion of the addressable population for NRX-100, compared to the designation granted in 2017 for NRX-100 in combination with NRX-101 (DCS/lurasidone) for treatment of Suicidal Bipolar Depression. In granting the Fast Track designation, FDA made the determination that NRX-100 has the potential to address an unmet medical need, based on an assessment of the preliminary data contained in the Fast Track designation request. This determination of unmet medical need aligns with the eligibility requirements for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program (CNPV)i and for the FDA's Accelerated Approval The Company has applied for a CNPV, which has the potential to substantially shorten the review cycle for NRX-100. Several well-controlled trials submitted to FDA in support of Fast Track Designation demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction of suicidal ideation. In a Columbia University study licensed by NRx, suicidal patients treated with intravenous ketamine demonstrated a 55% response (i.e. 50% reduction in suicidality) compared to a 30% response to active comparator (P<.02).iii In a trial sponsored by the Government of France and licensed by NRx, 63% of patients achieved full remission from suicidal ideation in three days compared to 31% of those who received placebo (P<.001). This effect has not been proven with intranasal administration of "We thank FDA for its thoughtful review of our Fast Track designation request, and believe this regulatory determination is a significant step forward in our goal to address the national crisis of suicide among soldiers, first responders, veterans, and civilians alike." said Dr. Jonathan Javitt, Chairman and CEO of NRx Pharmaceuticals. "Large-scale government-supported trials have demonstrated a robust and statistically significant reduction in suicidal ideation and depression with administration of ketamine. This drug was also proven to be non-inferior to electroshock therapy in treating depression without the negative side effects of ECT. We look forward to working closely with the FDA in our quest to Bring Hope to Life." Under the terms of the Fast Track program, NRx will be posting an expanded access policy for NRX-100 in the next two weeks and seeking a meeting with FDA leadership to finalize the data to be submitted under the Accelerated Approval / CNPV application. In addition to the benefits above, Fast Track Designation also grants enhanced communication with the FDA, as well as potential Priority Review and Rolling Review. NRX-100 in Suicidal Ideation in Patients with Depression, Including Bipolar Depression According to the CDC, approximately 13 million adults seriously consider suicide each year, 1.5 million attempt suicide, and an American dies from suicide every 11 minutes. NRX-100 – IV ketamine for suicidality in patients with depression, including bipolar depression – is designed to help address this national crisis. NRx will be submitting patient-level data from controlled clinical trials that demonstrate ketamine to be superior to both a placebo and an active comparator, as well as either non-inferior or superior to electroshock therapy in treating various forms of depression, including patients with active suicidal ideation. Although ketamine in various forms is increasingly used to treat depression and related disorders, it is currently only approved by FDA only for use as an anesthetic and, therefore, not reimbursed by most insurance carriers for treatment of suicidality or depression. Intravenous ketamine is reimbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for its beneficiaries. By applying for FDA labeling for NRX-100 to treat suicidal depression, the Company hopes to make this potentially life-saving therapy available to all Americans, not just those who are able to pay out of pocket. The Company has previously filed full Chemical Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) information for NRX-100 with FDA and has reported stability and sterility data sufficient to anticipate three-year room temperature shelf life for preservative-free ketamine. Having completed this Fast Track Designation, NRx is now filing draft labeling for NRX-100 to comply with the CNPV requirement. NRX-100 is the first preservative-free presentation of ketamine to be filed with FDA. Currently available product, primarily of foreign manufacture, contains a known toxic preservative, Benzethonium Chloride (BZT) that is not Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and is not allowed by FDA to be used in hand cleaners and topical antiseptics. NRx demonstrated long term stability and sterility with its patented preservative-free formulation of NRX-100. The Company has additionally filed a Citizen Petition seeking to have BZT removed from all intravenous ketamine products. The Company has instituted US-based high-volume manufacture of sterile, preservative-free ketamine. Regarding Fast Track designation, FDA's website states: A drug that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for some or all of the following: More frequent meetings with FDA to discuss the drug's development plan and ensure collection of appropriate data needed to support drug approval. More frequent written communication from FDA about such things as the design of the proposed clinical trials and use of biomarkers Eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, if relevant criteria are met. Rolling Review, which means that a drug company can submit completed sections of its Biologic License Application (BLA) or New Drug Application (NDA) for review by FDA, rather than waiting until every section of the NDA is completed before the entire application can be reviewed. BLA or NDA review usually does not begin until the drug company has submitted the entire application to the FDA. NRX-100 is poised to address the >$3 billion Suicidal Depression market in the US. References i Grunebaum, et al. Ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal thoughts… Am J Psychiatry 2018;175: Abbar, et al. Ketamine for the acute treatment of severe suicidal ideation… BMJ 2021;167:194-203 About NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NRx Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics based on its NMDA platform for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically suicidal depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. The Company is developing NRX-100 (preservative-free intravenous ketamine) and NRX-101, (oral D-cycloserine/lurasidone). NRX-100 has been awarded Fast Track Designation for the treatment of Suicidal ideation in Depression, including Bipolar Depression. NRX-101 has been awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of suicidal bipolar depression. NRx has recently filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) and initiated a New Drug Application filing for NRX-100 (IV ketamine) with an application for the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program for the treatment of suicidal depression. The filing is based on results of well-controlled clinical trials conducted under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health and the Government of France, licensed under a data sharing agreement. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe information contained herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expect," "plan," "believe," "intend," "look forward," and other similar expressions among others. These statements relate to future events or to the Company's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company has reported regulatory milestones as they have been achieved but has not predicted the outcome of any future regulatory determination. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, including uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations, results of operations, growth strategy, and, among other things, liquidity. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information: Matthew Duffy Chief Business Officer, NRx Pharmaceuticals mduffy@ Brian Korb Managing Partner (917) 653-5122 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NRXP) and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc. Announce Strategic Investor Relations Partnership with astr partners
WILMINGTON, Del., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRXP) ("NRx Pharmaceuticals", "NRx" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc., ("HOPE," or the "Company"), a multi-site clinical care delivery organization and wholly-owned subsidiary of NRx, today announced a strategic investor relations partnership with astr partners, a boutique investor relations and capital advisory firm focused on the life sciences sector. "We are pleased to partner with astr partners at this important inflection point for NRx, as we have filed an ANDA, are on the precipice of completing two NDA filings and are actively acquiring profitable interventional psychiatry clinics," said Jonathan Javitt, Chairman and CEO of NRx Pharmaceuticals. "Their depth of experience in biotech investor relations, broad relationships with specialist investors and the right investment banks, as well as their commitment to precision messaging, make astr the ideal team to help amplify the ongoing value story NRx and HOPE." astr partners was founded by the industry veterans from The Trout Group, including Jonathan Fassberg and Brian Korb, who bring decades of combined experience in investor relations and healthcare capital markets. The Trout Group was the global leader in biotech investor relations, which was sold to PNC Bank. Jonathan and Brian later held senior roles at Solebury Trout and Oppenheimer & Co. The astr team works closely with biotech companies across a range of development stages — from early clinical to commercial — with a strong focus on strategic positioning and institutional engagement. "We're thrilled to support NRx and HOPE as they advance meaningful neuropsychiatry therapies toward patients with critical unmet needs," said Jonathan Fassberg and Brian Korb, Managing Partners of astr. "Our team is excited to collaborate closely with NRx and HOPE to elevate their visibility and strengthen their relationships across the investment community at this key inflection point." astr partners will work with the NRx and HOPE executive teams to execute a comprehensive investor relations program that includes investor targeting, message development, earnings preparation, conference support, and proactive investor engagement. About NRx Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics based on its NMDA platform for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically suicidal bipolar depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. The Company is developing NRX-101, an FDA-designated investigational Breakthrough Therapy, for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression. NRx plans to file an NDA for Accelerated Approval for NRX-101 in patients with bipolar depression and suicidality or akathisia. NRX-101 additionally has potential as a treatment for complicated UTI. NRx recently filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for NRX-100 (preservative free IV ketamine) for use in ketamine's currently approved indications. Additionally, the Company has initiated a New Drug Application filing for NRX-100 for the treatment of suicidal depression, based on results of well-controlled clinical trials conducted under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health and newly obtained data from French health authorities, licensed under a data sharing agreement. NRx was awarded Fast Track Designation for development of ketamine (NRX-100) by the US FDA as part of a protocol to treat patients with acute suicidality and has filed a patent for this novel formulation with the US Patent and Trademark Office. About HOPE Therapeutics, Therapeutics, Inc. ( a subsidiary of NRx Pharmaceuticals, is a Healthcare delivery company that is building a best-in-class network of interventional psychiatry clinics to offer ketamine, transcranial magnetics stimulation (TMS), and other lifesaving therapies to patients with suicidal depression and related disorders, together with a digital therapeutic-enabled platform designed to augment and preserve the clinical benefit of NMDA-targeted drug therapy. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe information contained herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, among others, statements regarding the satisfaction of closing conditions necessary to consummate the acquisition of Kadima, Neurospa and Dura, and obtaining financing necessary to consummate the acquisitions. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expect," "plan," "believe," "intend," "look forward," and other similar expressions among others. These statements relate to future events or to the Company's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations, results of operations, growth strategy, liquidity, whether the USPTO approves the Company's patent, and whether the FDA will approve the Company's NDA. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at Except as may be required by applicable law, The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information: Matthew Duffy Brian Korb Co-CEO, Hope Therapeutics, Inc. Managing Partner, astr partners Chief Business Officer, NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (917) 653-5122 mduffy@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRXP) and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc. to Present at H.C. Wainwright 6th Annual Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference
WILMINGTON, Del., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRXP) ('NRx Pharmaceuticals', 'NRx' or the 'Company'), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc., ('HOPE,' or the 'Company'), a multi-site clinical care delivery organization and wholly-owned subsidiary of NRx, today announced participation in the H.C. Wainwright 6th Annual Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference, scheduled for June 16–17, 2025. Dr. Jonathan Javitt, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NRx Pharmaceuticals and Co-CEO of HOPE, will deliver a corporate presentation highlighting the company's latest advances. The presentation will be available on demand to registered attendees beginning at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 16, 2025. In addition, the company will be participating in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the conference. Please request 1:1 meetings on the HCW conference website listed below. Event Details: About NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NRx Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics based on its NMDA platform for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically suicidal bipolar depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. The Company is developing NRX-101, an FDA-designated investigational Breakthrough Therapy, for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression and chronic pain. NRx plans to file an NDA for Accelerated Approval for NRX-101 in patients with bipolar depression and suicidality or akathisia. NRX-101 additionally has potential as a treatment for complicated UTI. NRx recently filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for NRX-100 (preservative free IV ketamine) for use in ketamine's currently approved indications. Additionally, the Company has initiated a New Drug Application filing for NRX-100 for the treatment of suicidal depression, based on results of well-controlled clinical trials conducted under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health and newly obtained data from French health authorities, licensed under a data sharing agreement. NRx was awarded Fast Track Designation for development of ketamine (NRX-100) by the US FDA as part of a protocol to treat patients with acute suicidality and has filed a patent for this novel formulation with the US Patent and Trademark Office. About HOPE Therapeutics, Inc. HOPE Therapeutics, Inc. ( ), a subsidiary of NRx Pharmaceuticals, is a Healthcare delivery company that is building a best-in-class network of interventional psychiatry clinics to offer ketamine, transcranial magnetics stimulation (TMS), and other lifesaving therapies to patients with suicidal depression and related disorders, together with a digital therapeutic-enabled platform designed to augment and preserve the clinical benefit of NMDA-targeted drug therapy. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, among others, statements regarding the satisfaction of closing conditions necessary to consummate the acquisition of Kadima, Neurospa and Dura, and obtaining financing necessary to consummate the acquisitions. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'would,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'believe,' 'intend,' 'look forward,' and other similar expressions among others. These statements relate to future events or to the Company's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations, results of operations, growth strategy, liquidity, whether the USPTO approves the Company's patent, and whether the FDA will approve the Company's NDA. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at Except as may be required by applicable law, The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRXP) and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc. to Present at H.C. Wainwright 6th Annual Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference
WILMINGTON, Del., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRXP) ("NRx Pharmaceuticals", "NRx" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and HOPE Therapeutics, Inc., ("HOPE," or the "Company"), a multi-site clinical care delivery organization and wholly-owned subsidiary of NRx, today announced participation in the H.C. Wainwright 6th Annual Neuro Perspectives Hybrid Conference, scheduled for June 16–17, 2025. Dr. Jonathan Javitt, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NRx Pharmaceuticals and Co-CEO of HOPE, will deliver a corporate presentation highlighting the company's latest advances. The presentation will be available on demand to registered attendees beginning at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 16, 2025. In addition, the company will be participating in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the conference. Please request 1:1 meetings on the HCW conference website listed below. Event Details: Date: Presentation available on-demand Monday, June 16, beginning at 7:00 a.m. ET for registered conference attendees Registration: H.C. Wainwright 6th Annual Neuro Perspectives Registration NRx Website: NRx Events About NRx Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics based on its NMDA platform for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically suicidal bipolar depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. The Company is developing NRX-101, an FDA-designated investigational Breakthrough Therapy, for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression and chronic pain. NRx plans to file an NDA for Accelerated Approval for NRX-101 in patients with bipolar depression and suicidality or akathisia. NRX-101 additionally has potential as a treatment for complicated UTI. NRx recently filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for NRX-100 (preservative free IV ketamine) for use in ketamine's currently approved indications. Additionally, the Company has initiated a New Drug Application filing for NRX-100 for the treatment of suicidal depression, based on results of well-controlled clinical trials conducted under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health and newly obtained data from French health authorities, licensed under a data sharing agreement. NRx was awarded Fast Track Designation for development of ketamine (NRX-100) by the US FDA as part of a protocol to treat patients with acute suicidality and has filed a patent for this novel formulation with the US Patent and Trademark Office. About HOPE Therapeutics, Therapeutics, Inc. ( a subsidiary of NRx Pharmaceuticals, is a Healthcare delivery company that is building a best-in-class network of interventional psychiatry clinics to offer ketamine, transcranial magnetics stimulation (TMS), and other lifesaving therapies to patients with suicidal depression and related disorders, together with a digital therapeutic-enabled platform designed to augment and preserve the clinical benefit of NMDA-targeted drug therapy. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe information contained herein includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, among others, statements regarding the satisfaction of closing conditions necessary to consummate the acquisition of Kadima, Neurospa and Dura, and obtaining financing necessary to consummate the acquisitions. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expect," "plan," "believe," "intend," "look forward," and other similar expressions among others. These statements relate to future events or to the Company's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations, results of operations, growth strategy, liquidity, whether the USPTO approves the Company's patent, and whether the FDA will approve the Company's NDA. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at Except as may be required by applicable law, The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information:Matthew Duffy Brian Korb Co-CEO, Hope Therapeutics, Inc. Managing Partner, astr partners Chief Business Officer, NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (917) 653-5122 mduffy@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- India Gazette
NCB busts major pharma drug trafficking racket in Haridwar, 8 arrested; clandestine lab unearthed
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): As part of its sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and curb the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi Zonal Unit, has successfully dismantled a major network engaged in the illegal diversion and distribution of pharmaceutical medicines for non-medical use in Haridwar, a release said on Saturday. As per the release, eight individuals have been arrested so far in the case. Using a bottom-to-top investigative approach, the source of the substance has been identified, and an illegal pharmaceutical manufacturing unit located in Sidcul, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) was busted on June 6, 2025. The operation, which spanned across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, also revealed suspected international linkages. The operation commenced with an interception on January 9, 2025, at a courier facility in Delhi, which led to the seizure of 3.6 kg of Codeine Phosphate tablets in loose form. From January to June 2025, follow-up searches in Delhi and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, recovered 9.144 kg of Alprazolam and 2.360 kg of Codeine Phosphate, approximately 10,000 multiple-brand NRx tablets in strips, 1.383 kg of Pseudoephedrine, and 130.440 kg of raw material /tablets in loose form. Subsequent investigations uncovered that a clandestine lab in Haridwar was operating without a valid drug manufacturing license. It was revealed that psychotropic substances were being manufactured in bulk for illegal trafficking. Further investigation is ongoing to trace and apprehend other individuals and entities associated with this syndicate. Earlier in May 2025, NCB Amritsar zonal unit axed a drug diversion cartel through a four-month-long operation across Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi and seized drugs worth 547 crore and arrested 15 persons. These seizures exemplify the NCB's commitment to successfully disrupting transnational and interstate drug networks to achieve the vision of a drug-free India. To fight against drug trafficking, NCB seeks the support of the citizens. Any person can share information related to the sale of narcotics by calling the MANAS- National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number- 1933. The identity of the caller is kept confidential. (ANI)
