Yohimbine Rescue in Unidentified Drug Overdose

Overview

Xylazine is an emerging national threat with no xylazine antidotes in use for human drug overdoses.

Drug overdose deaths in the United States have been steadily rising since 2019.

Technology

Researchers at Brown University have developed the use of alpha 2 adrenergic antagonists such as yohimbine for use in the reversal of drug overdose contributed to by xylazine and xylazine congeners, alcohol, and benzodiazepines in humans.

The invention includes a product for emergency use of yohimbine in the field as well as a combination product with naloxone.

Market Opportunity

Comparable to naloxone, the main opioid overdose antidote available on the market.

$320.2 million in 2021 with an expected value of $743.25 million by 2028.
Future 11.1% increase in annual growth. In addition to the clear market need for additional drug overdose solutions, there are additional benefits to a xylazine antidote.

Yohimbine has already been proven to be safe in humans.

FDA approved for impotence and is currently available as a generic drug for human use .
The liquid (injectable) formulation of yohimbine has also been extensively used in veterinary medicine.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists are known antidotes to the effects of xylazine in several animal species.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist medications would be expected to reverse the effects not only of xylazine, but also of other drugs, e.g., alcohol and benzodiazepines, that suppress noradrenergic function in humans.

Innovation and Meaningful Advantages

The invention has four novel components:

The use of alpha 2 adrenergic antagonists as a drug class for use in the reversal of drug overdose contributed to by xylazine and xylazine congeners, alcohol, and benzodiazepines in humans.
A product for emergency use in humans consisting of GMP quality yohimbine 20 mg/ml for intravenous or intramuscular administration with sterile syringes for field administration
A combination product that includes naloxone and yohimbine in liquid form to be administered via intravenous, intramuscular, or intranasal route in drug overdose where the drug(s) ingested are unknown
These medications may be formulated into rapidly absorbed vehicles such as buccal film or sublingual tablets to be used in overdose situations

Yohimbine’s ease of administration and combining with naloxone improves upon the existing technology used in drug overdose emergencies which includes only administration of naloxone and supportive therapy.

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