Delta Opioid Analogues Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2023

Opioid receptor analogs are medications that act on the opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, either diminishing or augmenting the effect of opioids. Opioids are a broad category of drugs that are used as pain-relieving medications. There are three types of opioid receptors – Mu, Delta, and Kappa. All three of them have their roles to play in the body, like pain relief, respiratory depression, constipation, dysphoria, euphoria suppression of cough reflex, and others. Delta Opioid receptor antagonists treat drug overdose and cure drug de-addiction, while opioid agonists can provide relief of inflammatory pain, nociception, and malignant bone pain. The three receptors have different roles to play and are activated by different analogs. Delta Opioid receptors are 7-transmembrane inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptors that are expressed in the presynaptic neurons. Companies are trying to find new and novel molecules to prevent and cure these diseases. The development and launch of newer products by the market players will significantly enhance the revenue of the Delta Opioid Antagonists market over the forecast years. For instance, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China, in 2020, out of 280 million people in the USA above the age of 12, 31.9% of people were drug users, with 19.4% of people who have either consumed illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between April 2020 and April 2021, 75,000 Americans died from opium overuse.

Several of these inhibitors are on the market, while many are in ongoing clinical trials.  20 companies in their pipelines have 21 Delta Opioid Receptor Antagonists in various stages of clinical trials. 7 products in Phase 4, 8 products are in Phase 3, 2 products are in Phase 2, and 3 products are in Phase 1 of the clinical trials, while 14 companies in their pipelines have 10 Delta Opioid Receptor Agonists in various stages of clinical trials like 2 products in Phase 4, 3 products in Phase 3, 4 products in Phase 2 and 1 product in Phase 1.

Key Developments of Delta Opioid Analogues

• In May 2023, Brixadi extended-release injection for subcutaneous use was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe opioid use disorder.
• In August 2020, FDA approved Olinvyk (oliceridine), an opioid agonist for the treatment of acute patients with severe acute pain.
• In June 2019, the European Commission granted marketing approval to Sixmo by Titan Therapeutics and Molteni for the subcutaneous treatment of opioid dependence.

Approved molecules of Delta Opioid Receptor Antagonists

• Belbuca (buprenorphine BEMA)
• Selincro (nalmefene oral)
• Buprenex (buprenorphine)
• Zubsolv (buprenorphine naloxone sublingual tablet)
• Viberzi (eluxadoline)
• Bunavail (buprenorphine naloxone transmucosal)

Delta Opioid Receptor Antagonists in Pipeline

• Sublocade (buprenorphine once-monthly depot)
• Buprenorphine samidorphan (ALKS 5461)
• Sixmo (buprenorphine implant)
• Symproic (naldemedine)
• buprenorphine sublingual spray
• NanoBUP (buprenorphine naloxone)
• nalmefene intranasal (OPNT003)
• naltrexone oral buprenorphine sublingual (ALKS 6428 transition kit)
• Brixadi once-monthly depot (buprenorphine once-monthly depot)
• Espranor (buprenorphine oral lyophilisate)
• buprenorphine depot (ALA-1000)
• buprenorphine naloxone sublingual spray
• nalmefene (SRD174)

Approved molecules of Delta Opioid Receptor Agonists

• OxiFast (oxycodone immediate release)

Delta Opioid Receptor Agonists in Pipeline

• Brixadi once-weekly depot (buprenorphine once-weekly depot)
• Brixadi once-monthly depot (buprenorphine once-monthly depot)
• sustained-release oxycodone transdermal patch (TPM oxycodone patch)
• ADL5747
• ADL5859
• methionine enkephalin (STAT-401)
• Enkorten (metenkefalin tridecactide)
• TRV250
  
  

Clinical Activity and Developments of Delta Opioid Analogues

As of June 2023, 20 companies have approximately 21 Delta Opioid Receptor Antagonists for 76 diseases. For these diseases, more than 60 trials are being conducted by players globally.   

• In November 2022, the University of British Columbia completed a Phase 4 trial to determine the effectiveness and safety of Targin for pain management and opioid-induced constipation in patients with spinal cord injury.
• In October 2022, University Hospital, Akershus completed a Phase 4 trial to study the effect of sustained abstinence and recovery on patients with long-acting Naltrexone for opioid addiction.
• In October 2021, VA Loma Linda Health Care System completed a Phase 4 trial to study the effect of Naltrexone on Nocturnal Breathing Patterns at Altitude.

As of June 2023, 14 companies have approximately 10 Delta Opioid Receptor Agonists for 210 diseases. For these diseases, more than 14 trials are being conducted by players globally. For instance,

• In October 2022, Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki completed a Phase 4 trial to study the effect of wound infiltration with Tramadol, Dexamethasone or Magnesium plus Ropivacaine for pain relief after spine surgery.
• In April 2019, the University of Rochester completed a Phase 4 trial to study the brain effects of opioid agonists.