A Naloxone Parachute: Novel Wearable Dual-Sensor Regional Oximeter to Detect Opioid-Induced Hypoxia and Enable Emergent Naloxone Rescue

SBIR PHASE II - ABSTRACT Ayuda Medical has the vision that no-one should die from a treatable medical emergency. Opioid overdoses (OODs) are treatable with basic CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), but they claimed over 250 lives each day in the US in 2020. Patients most at risk for OOD are people in treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or High Impact Chronic Pain (HICP). The current standard of care to OOD is bystander response (medical or nonmedical), but the bystander needs to know that an OOD is occurring. We present a wearable medical diagnostic device to detect OOD and bridge the gap to bystander intervention. Our device, Parachute ARMband, will be worn continuously, and will monitor physiologic parameters that indicate OOD, then will use an on-device escalating tonal alarm to summon bystanders, as well as on- device speaker to verbally identify the urgency to get medical help. No wireless connectivity is required for these functions. The ARMband will also send a Bluetooth alert to an adjunct Mobile Medical Application (MMA) on the User’s phone, that can reach designated contacts, previously chosen by the device user. This function requires mobile device connectivity, and that the MMA be downloaded prior to the medical event. Company has completed a Phase I SBIR, sponsored by National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), that showed the upper arm is a viable location for wearable oximeters, main components of novel device. The addition of Phase I Innovation Corps enabled company to validate Minimal Viable Product (MVP) key features, including escalating alarm and wireless alert. Together our Phase I learnings allowed Principle Investigator (PI) to submit a Breakthrough Device Designation (BDD) request to the FDA. This proposed Phase II application will show feasibility of our novel device components to detect gas- induced hypoxia, compared to arterial blood gas (Aim 1); sensitivity of device to detect intravenous remifentanil “OOD” and begin alarm algorithm (Aim 2); and ability of device communications to send a real-time wireless alert (Aim 3). These three aims support device safety and effectiveness. In Aim 4, Human Factors and Instructions for Use (IFU) are specifically tested in our target population, persons with a history of OUD or OOD. Aim 5 likewise tests the device in our target population, but also adds our target use environment; it will test device’s wearability via 48hr and and two-to-four week take home studies. Together all five Aims, along with non-clinical testing of device design and alarms, will support seeking Class II marketing via a De Novo submission, with the device indicated for People Who Use Opioids (PWUOs) including HICP, and people with a history of OUD that are at risk for OOD. To date there is no FDA approved device to monitor for OOD. We offer a continuous monitor because stressors and triggers to opioid use can be unexpected. The De Novo submission will include data from studies designed for our target clinical scenario (acute opioid ingestion/ administration), and target use environment (ambulatory, at-home). Ayuda Medical plans to have several discussions with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), throughout device development and Phase II. BDD was submitted in Q3, 2021, and company plans to submit a Q-sub clarifying our milestones to approval in Q4, 2021. We plan to use early gas hypoxia studies (Aim 1A) to apply for Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), and then perform clinical studies with opioid- specific protocols (Aims 2 and 3). This includes feasibility (Q4, 2022) and pivotal (Q4, 2023) studies sponsored by Phase II. Continuous interactions with FDA will align company milestones with FDA objectives. Commercialization strategy includes seeking federal Medicaid coverage in tandem with FDA approval, as part of a dual-panel (FDA-CMS) pre-marketing review. Company plans to market the ARMband directly within the OUD market, and co-market the device with a strategic partner within the HICP market. We also intend to conduct community-based pilot studies in collaboration with NIDA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to validate device system in specific to the OUD/HICP populations in target environment, and to support formulary inclusion by State Medicaid. State Medicaid coverage assures that the device is affordable and accessible by Community Health Centers (CHCs), that treat the majority of the low-income populations for both chronic and acute illnesses, including OUD and OOD. Establishing a viable commercial path via state Medicaid and CHCs, that can then be expanded into 50 states, is an attractive proposal to partnerships and potential exit companies in the OUD market. Phase I validated device need and feasibility of our development approach. Phase II will provide the appropriate clinical and non-clinical testing to support a De Novo submission to the FDA. Company is fully dedicated to the approval and commercialization of the Parachute ARMband OOD diagnostic device, and to making it available to all at-risk groups, aiming to expand the protection against accidental opioid overdose.