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June Marked the End of a Busy First Year for Ochsner’s Innovation Fund
As Louisiana’s leading nonprofit health system, Ochsner delivers high-quality care to thousands of patients every single day across 46 hospitals and 370 health centers. To advance this vision, Ochsner is proud to support people and organizations that promote access to opportunities, education and resources and change our community’s lives for the better.
Pain relief without the risk: why SRP-001 could change everything
A practicing surgeon turned biotech CEO is developing a novel pain medicine that could sidestep the failures of both opioids and paracetamol.
South Rampart Pharma Takes Lean to a Different Level
The New Orleans biotech is currently raising a tiny $8 million Series A to develop its non-opioid painkiller. It keeps costs low by paying employees cash on an hourly basis—but no salaries.
Stirred & Shaken: Navigating Potential Disruptions at the U.S. National Institutes of Health
The Trump administration’s abrupt implementation of a 15% cap on NIH indirect cost reimbursements—down from negotiated rates averaging 40–75%—has triggered a crisis across biomedical research and development.
Three Key Initiatives Currently Shaping the Region’s Healthcare Sector
The Greater New Orleans region is making significant strides in advancing healthcare through innovative research, cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking medical developments, including these three top stories.
The BioWorld Insider podcast: Bracing for the impact of tariffs and grant cuts
As pharma deals with the impact of U.S. NIH grant cuts and the imposition of tariffs, a lot of pressure is shifting to smaller and midcap companies, according to two executives who spoke on the newest BioWorld Insider podcast.
Base to Base Biotech Podcast 2: Opioid Alternatives and Epiproteomics
South Rampart Pharma’s CEO and co-founder, Hernan Bazan, was featured on the latest episode of Base to Base Biotech to discuss our mission to develop safer, non-addictive pain treatments.
The Future of the NIH
Thoughts on the US National Institutes of Health and its role in funding research for non-opioid therapeutics.
NIH Cuts: A Push for Efficiency or a Blow to US Healthcare Innovation?
The Trump administration recently cancelled billions of dollars in funding to the NIH. Healthcare experts say the funding cuts will delay the pace of medical research in the U.S. — which will not only hamper the commercialization of life-saving treatments, but could also hurt the country’s position as a global leader in healthcare and technology.
Recent Regulatory Impacts on the Pain-Management Space
Dr. Hernan Bazan, CEO of South Rampart Pharma, discusses his company’s current pipeline.
The NIH’s Role in New Drug Development
Dr. Hernan Bazan, CEO of South Rampart Pharma, discusses his company’s current pipeline.
A Masterclass in Innovation and Execution with Dr. Hernan Bazan
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Hernan Bazan, a vascular surgeon, biotech entrepreneur, and CEO of South Rampart Pharma, to explore a groundbreaking approach to pain management and drug development. Dr. Bazan shares his journey from the operating room to leading a life sciences company, discussing the unique approach his team has taken to develop SRP-001, a novel, non-opioid pain treatment that has received FDA fast-track designation.
Developing Non-Addictive Pain Medication
Dr. Hernan Bazan, CEO of South Rampart Pharma, discusses his company’s current pipeline.
Vertex’s Journavx Changes the Pain Treatment Landscape But Opioids Here to Stay
Non-opioid pain therapies are entering an unprecedented era, marked by the landmark FDA approval of Vertex’s Journavx and a growing number of alternative approaches. Their ultimate uptake, however, remains to be seen.
Healthcare Entrepreneurs Express Hope, Concern Over RFK Jr. Confirmation
Healthcare entrepreneurs hope Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will streamline federal regulatory and funding mechanisms as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and push the U.S. medical system more toward prevention.
FDA Approval of Vertex’s Non-Opioid Journavx Signals New Era in Pain Treatment
If the attention generated by BioSpace’s coverage of this landmark approval is any indication, Americans are hungry for non-opioid pain treatments that could help quell the still raging opioid epidemic.
Dr. Hernan A. Bazan, MD - CEO, South Rampart Pharma - Novel, Safer, Non-Addictive Pain Medicines
Dr. Hernan A. Bazan MD, FACS, CEO & Co-Founder of South Rampart Pharma, Inc, a clinical stage biopharma company developing safer, non-opioid therapies for acute and chronic pain, where he spearheads the company’s scientific, clinical and technology development efforts, as well as it’s fundraising.
The Fentanyl Crisis and the Lack of Pain Management Alternatives
America is confronting an opioid crisis of unprecedented proportions, starkly highlighted by the devastating impact of fentanyl — a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. According to the latest data from the CDC, more than 112,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023, with fentanyl being the leading cause.
Opioid Alternatives Face an Uphill Battle Against Insurers and Doctors
Despite their dismal reputation, the aging painkillers are cheap and work better than nonaddictive replacements. Opioids. They’re a public-health pariah, leading to more than 80,000 overdose deaths a year. Patients worry they’ll get addicted to them. Doctors want nothing to do with them. And politicians of all stripes are calling for less dangerous options for treating pain.
SRP-001: redefining pain treatment with a safer, non-opioid analgesic
This Q&A with Dr Hernan A Bazan, CEO and Co-founder of South Rampart Pharma, Inc, discusses the potential merits of novel non-opioid analgesic SPR-001, which is Phase II-ready for acute and neuropathic pain and migraines. Its benefits mean it is poised to disrupt the $87 billion pain management market and address significant clinical and societal unmet needs.
Safer Non-Opioid Pain Relief on the Horizon: SRP-001 Shows Promise in Phase 1 Trials
A recent publication in Scientific Reports unveils a promising non-opioid pain treatment developed by a team led by Dr. Hernan Bazan, the John Ochsner Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Innovation at Ochsner Health.
Examining the mechanisms and clinical potential of a promising non-opioid pain therapy candidate
A recent publication in Scientific Reports unveils a promising non-opioid pain treatment developed by a team led by Dr. Hernan Bazan, the John Ochsner Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Innovation at Ochsner Health.
Ochsner Health Highlights Innovative Non-Opioid Pain Therapy Candidate Publication
A recent publication in Scientific Reports unveils a potentially groundbreaking non-opioid pain treatment developed by a team led by Dr. Hernan Bazan, the John Ochsner Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Innovation at Ochsner Health.
Novel Non-Addictive, Non-Toxic Painkiller Developed at LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans announces the discovery and clinical advancement of a new non-opioid therapeutic candidate for treatment of acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain and migraine headaches which does not have the organ toxicity or addiction potential of other currently-available pain therapeutics.
Ochsner Health physician granted NIH Trailblazer Award
In response to the pressing need for new pain treatments during the opioid crisis, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has honored Dr. Hernan Bazan, an Ochsner Health physician and John Ochsner Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Innovation, with the 2024 NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative® Director’s Trailblazer Award.
Global Business Report
Can you give an overview of South Rampart Pharma and present SRP-001? South Rampart Pharma is a clinical-stage, phase 1 life science company developing a best-in-class new chemical entity (NCE), SRP-001, a non-opioid small molecule analogous to acetaminophen or paracetamol. The significant differentiator is that it does not have the liver toxicity of acetaminophen /paracetamol/Tylenol or the kidney toxicity of NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
South Rampart Pharma Receives FDA Fast Track Designation
South Rampart Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting the safer treatment of pain, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to the company for SRP-001 for the treatment of acute pain.
South Rampart doses first patient in MAD study of SRP-001
In the MAD study of two cohorts, healthy male and female volunteers will receive SRP-001 orally.
Warning About Potential Risks from Overuse of Acetaminophen with Karen Smith Catie’s Cause
Karen Smith is the Founder of Catie’s Cause, a nonprofit charity dedicated to building awareness about the safe use of over-the-counter pain medications. After the death of her daughter Catie from liver failure due to overuse of Tylenol, Karen founded this organization to shine a light on the unintended and intentional side effects of easy access to these medicines.
Cracking the Code on Pain Relief
Imagine living with excruciating pain that prevents you from walking or doing the things most of us take for granted. We all experience pain, and 50 million people cope with chronic, debilitating pain. The market for pain therapies is estimated at $74 billion. And yet, investment in new pain and addiction treatments is falling short of what is needed, according to a new BIO report, which shows a 44% decrease in clinical drug programs for pain over the past five years. Our guests on this episode talk about the challenges of living with and treating pain, as well as research and development on new, non-addictive and safer pain therapies.
BIO CEO 2023: Despite high prevalence of pain and addiction, clinical efforts drop, funding flat, BIO report finds
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) found in a new study that 77% of clinical programs focused on pain therapeutics five years ago are no longer active and that financings of companies working in the space are lackluster at best. Meanwhile, oncology companies, targeting an overall smaller market, have raised huge sums of venture capital money, $9.7 billion in 2021 vs. pain and addiction companies’ $228 million.
Focus and Fundamentals: CFO Strategies on the Journey to Commercialization
Chief financial officers and other finance experts discuss the continued market volatility impacting life sciences investment—and what biopharma companies can do to help accelerate its recovery. Quality science and “good data” still win the day.
#35 Conference Special (2/2): Dr Hernan Bazan from South Rampart Pharma
Founded in 2016, South Rampart Pharma is a clinical-stage life science company dedicated to advancing the safe treatment of pain by developing new non-opioid small molecule solutions that lack the liver and kidney toxicity present in current pain medicines. The company’s lead program, SRP-001, is currently in a Phase 1 study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics with data expected later this year in 2023.
Panel Takes on Challenges in Pain Therapeutics at BIO CEO
Finding long-term, non-addictive solutions to manage chronic pain in the U.S. has long been a challenge for biopharma. In thefallout from the opioid pandemic, physicians and researchers are scrambling for options.
‘All hands on deck’ needed to address U.S. pain and addiction innovation
The number of new pain drugs in the development pipeline has slowed to a trickle and investment in addiction drugs is low, challenges addressed during an impassioned, collaborative panel, “Resetting the innovation landscape for pain and addiction therapeutics,” yesterday at BIO’s 2023 CEO and Investor Conference.
How to Move Past the Opioid Crisis
Drug overdoses accounted for more than 109,000 deaths in 2021 in the United States , an astounding 43% surge from 76,000 deaths just the year before. A recent study predicted another 1.2 million opioid overdose deaths by the end of this decade.
Scrip Asks…What Does 2023 Hold For Biopharma? Part2: M&A And Partnering
Deal-making between big pharma and biotech looks set to rise with a looming patent cliff increasing the need for the former to replenish its pipelines. Meanwhile, biotechs need partners to help them advance amid the ongoing big freeze on raising cash on public markets.
January 2023 Issue: A New Funding Model For A New Approach To Pain
Painkillers are a challenge for the pharma and healthcare industries or, said differently, ripe for innovation. Two of the most popular pain reduction treatments are opioids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Sadly, both have issues.
Current Lack of Innovation in the Pain Space Hurts Society
The future towards the safer treatment of pain will come as biopharma, and investor communities appreciate the significant opportunities in supporting scientifically rigorous and clinically validated lead assets for the safer treatment of pain.
Tales From the 2022 Biotech VC Fundraising Trail
After the bonanza of 2021, life-sciences entrepreneurs reset their expectations as financing contracted.
Wellbeing Checkup: Hope for Chronic Pain
It is estimated that up to 20% of US adults are dealing with chronic pain and 8% of US Adults have high-impact chronic pain. Many people with chronic pain have turned to opioids to treat their pain, but along with the highly addictive quality of these class of medications, there are toxicities that affect the organs from long-term usage and create additional medical issues. Dr. Hernan Bazan discusses the issues associated with suffering from chronic pain and daily use of opioids, offers some insights on traditional pain relievers, and how the next generation of therapies in development need to be a safe, potential alternative from opioids.
Non-toxic and addiction free: The promise of a new pain med
Why South Rampart Pharma’s novel new molecule could be a key to solving the global pain epidemic.
A New Pain Treatment Requires Accurate And Reliable Data, South Rampart Pharma on Featured on Clinical Leader piece.
South Rampart Pharma aims to deliver a new, affordable treatment for pain that will avoid the issues with currently marketed products. Opioids are highly addictive; patients taking excessive amounts of acetaminophen can develop liver toxicity; and NSAID over-exposure risks kidney toxicity, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and worsening of high blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
Co-founder & CEO, Dr. Hernan Bazan, speaks with Dr. Moira Gunn in NPR’s Tech Nation Radio about the need for pain relief innovation.
The next generation of pain relief – non-opioid pain relief - with the goal of being equally powerful pain relief without addiction. Dr Hernan Bazan is the Co-Founder & CEO of South Rampart Pharma in New Orleans.
South Rampart Pharma Hopes to Develop Safer Pain Medications
South Rampart Pharma, a clinical-stage life science company advancing medications for the treatment of pain and fever, announced it achieved milestones outlined in the Phase I portion of its Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant (1R42NS119103) received from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and advanced to the Phase II portion of its NIH grant. The “fast-track” combined Phase I/II award provides for $1.9 million of funding to support the ongoing clinical development of the company’s lead small molecule, SRP-3D (DA), a novel non-opioid therapeutic candidate. South Rampart Pharma currently is completing the single ascending dose phase of the Phase 1 clinical trial of SRP-3D (DA) and remains on track to report topline results from the study in the third quarter of 2022.
South Rampart Pharma on Empowered Patient Podcast with Karen Jagoda and Dr. Hernan Bazan.
Dr. Hernan Bazan is the CEO and Co-Founder of South Rampart Pharma and focuses on finding a new way to treat acute and chronic pain with a drug that has no expectation for abuse and is not toxic to the liver, kidneys, or cardiovascular system.
LSU HSCNO Spin-Out Awarded $1.9M in STTR Fast Track Funding
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.9 million Fast-Track Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to South Rampart Pharma. The New Orleans life science company is developing a new class of non-opioid medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever discovered at and licensed from LSU Health New Orleans, its formal collaborating research institution.
NIH Awards $1.9 million STTR Grant to Fast Track New Class of Non-Opioid Pain Relievers
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.9 million Fast-Track Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to South Rampart Pharma. The New Orleans life science company is developing a new class of non-opioid medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever discovered at and licensed from LSU Health New Orleans, its formal collaborating research institution.
Novel Analgesic for Pain Relief Lacks Liver Toxicity
Thank you for your kind invitation and opportunity to commend on our paper in press in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry entitled ‘A novel pipeline of 2-(benzenesulfonamide)-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide analgesics that lack hepatotoxicity and retain antipyresis.’ This is the culmination of a multi-disciplinary effort involving investigators from the United States in Spain in search for a solution to the problem of treating pain more safely.
Researchers Find Alternatives for Acetaminophen Without Liver, Kidney Effects
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic presents a new challenge: patients have severe flu-like symptoms, but the virus can also cause renal failure. Doctors and patients need analgesics that go easy on the liver and kidneys but are not addictive, and this week researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence announced they have discovered a new class of drugs that can do the job.
South Rampart Pharma Identifies New Class of Non-Opioid Pain Medicines in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Publication
South Rampart Pharma, LLC (“South Rampart” or “the Company”), a company committed to improving the lives of people suffering from pain by developing a new class of non-opioid pain medicines, today announced a peer-reviewed publication detailing the identification and characterization of a new class of compounds able to reduce pain and fever without abuse potential or the liver and kidney toxicity associated with over the counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen.
Research Roundup: COVID-19 Immunity, Stomach Acid Susceptibility and More
Investigators at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence identified a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever. Furthermore, they appear to have decreased risk of addiction or damage to the liver or kidneys. In two models, the drugs, which are similar to acetaminophen, but do not appear to damage the liver or kidneys, decreased pain and reduced fever. The intellectual property has been licensed from LSU to the life science startup South Rampart Pharma, which is working to develop the drug in late preclinical development.
Researchers Developing Safer Version of Acetaminophen
Researchers at Louisiana State University have created a new type of analgesic that is similar to acetaminophen but can relieve pain and reduce fever without the risk of liver or kidney damage.
Novel class of non-addictive analgesics demonstrate safety in animals
To overcome the issues of current analgesics, researchers reveal a new class of non-narcotic pipeline drugs based on acetaminophen.
Team Synthesizes Safer Nonaddictive Analgesics
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence and colleagues have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever without the danger of addiction or damage to the liver or kidneys. The research is published online in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Safer Class of Painkillers Identified
A new class of pain medication has been identified which has a lower risk for addiction or to cause damage to internal organs. This discovery was reported by researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence and published online. The hope is that they will be safer than opioids and more effective.
They discover a new class of pain relievers that do not harm the liver or kidneys
Researchers at LSU Health’s New Orleans Center of Excellence in Neuroscience have discovered a new class of pain relievers to relieve pain and reduce fever without the danger of addiction or liver or kidney damage.
LSU Health New Orleans discovers new class of safer analgesics
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence and colleagues have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever without the danger of addiction or damage to the liver or kidneys. The research is published online in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Current drugs have unwanted side effects. Opioids can not only cause addiction; recent studies have shown they can be no more effective at relieving pain than non-narcotic drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen is an effective drug, but overuse can result in liver damage.
New class of safer analgesics discovered
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence and colleagues have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever without the danger of addiction or damage to the liver or kidneys. The research is published online in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Current drugs have unwanted side effects. Opioids can not only cause addiction; recent studies have shown they can be no more effective at relieving pain than non-narcotic drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen is an effective drug, but overuse can result in liver damage.
South Rampart Pharma Strengthens Board with Appointment of Ochsner Health CEO Pete November
Ochsner's follow-on investment underscores commitment to advancing SRP-001 as a leading candidate in the burgeoning non-opioid therapeutic space.
South Rampart Pharma to Present at Biotech Showcase 2024
Hernan Bazan, MD, FACS, CEO and Co-Founder, will provide a company update on SRP-001, the first-in-class non-opioid analgesic with FDA Fast Track designation during JP Morgan Healthcare week.
South Rampart Pharma Successfully Completes Phase 1 Study and Expands Phase 2 Plans to Include Neuropathic and Acute Pain Trials
Phase 1 data demonstrate that SRP-001 exhibits an exceptionally strong safety and robust pharmacokinetic profile and is well-tolerated. Well-designed Phase 2 trials set to show statistical significance compared to placebo and positive control.
South Rampart Pharma Expands Global Patent Portfolio with EU Approval for FDA Fast-Tracked SRP-001 for Pain
South Rampart's Global Intellectual Property Portfolio Now Includes Patents in Key Markets: United States, Europe, Greater China, India, Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico.
South Rampart Pharma Receives U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for SRP-001 for Acute Pain
The Fast Track designation accelerates SRP-001's path to U.S. FDA submission for the treatment of acute pain. Enhanced time-to-market delivers a therapeutic alternative to habit-forming opioids and acetaminophen, the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.
South Rampart Pharma to Participate in Upcoming Investor Events
BIO Investor Forum taking place on October 17-18, 2023 and the 17th Annual Pain Therapeutics Summit taking place on October 19-20, 2023.
South Rampart Pharma Awarded Second NIH Grant for Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program
The NIH's CRP Award Further Validates the Business Case and Commercial Opportunity of SRP-001 as a First-in-Class Non-narcotic Analgesic for Acute and Chronic Pain.
South Rampart Pharma Announces First Patient Enrolled in Multiple Ascending Dose Portion of Ongoing Phase 1 Clinical Trial
SRP-001, a novel, non-opioid investigational drug that avoids the liver toxicity associated with acetaminophen, positioned to address the unmet medical need for non-toxic and non-addictive acute and chronic pain therapeutics.
South Rampart Pharma Further Expands Patent Portfolio for SRP-001 with Composition of Matter Patent in China
South Rampart's global intellectual property portfolio now includes granted patents in the United States, China, India, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico.
South Rampart Pharma to Present at 2023 BIO CEO & Investor Conference
Hernan Bazan, MD, FACS, CEO and Co-Founder, will provide a company update. Dr. Bazan will also participate in a panel on pain therapeutics innovation with a VP of Industry Research from BIO and Program Directors from NIH and the U.S. Pain Foundation.
South Rampart Pharma Announces Presentation at Arrowhead's 16th Annual Pain Therapeutics Summit
Dr. Hernan Bazan to discuss clinical development of novel treatment for pain.
South Rampart Pharma Issued Composition of Matter Patent for Novel Non-Toxic Treatment for Pain
New patent grant further secures South Rampart's competitive position in next-generation and disruptive investigational drugs for acute pain.
South Rampart Pharma Receives Year 3 of NIH Fast-Track STTR Commercialization Grant
South Rampart Pharma announced today that it received a Notice of Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding Year 3 of its Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant.
South Rampart Pharma Announces Late-Breaking Presentation at IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain
South Rampart Pharma announced today that the Company will present a late-breaking abstract at the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 2022 World Congress on Pain, which will take place on September 20-23, 2022, in Toronto, Canada.
South Rampart Pharma Announces Appointment of Josh Blacher as Chief Financial Officer
South Rampart Pharma announced today the appointment of Josh Blacher as the company's Chief Financial Officer. In this capacity, Mr. Blacher will be responsible for the Company's finance and accounting department, as well as launch a robust corporate development effort.
South Rampart Pharma Achieves Development Milestone and Advances to Phase II of Active NIH Fast-Track STTR Commercialization Award
$1.9 million NIH fast-track STTR grant fuels next stage of clinical program dedicated to the development of a novel non-opioid approach to pain management.
Transcriptomic signature, bioactivity and safety of a non-hepatotoxic analgesic generating AM404 in the midbrain PAG region
A novel pipeline of 2-(benzenesulfonamide)-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide analgesics that lack hepatotoxicity and retain antipyresis
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