NRx Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Has Granted Suitability Petition For Its Planned Preservative-Free Ketamine Product Ketafree

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | September 24, 2025 08:07am

NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRXP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that it was notified yesterday by the United States Food and Drug Administration that a Suitability Petition has been granted for the strength proposed by the Company for its planned single-patient, preservative-free ketamine product (KETAFREE™). Currently, ketamine is sold in multi-dose vials that contain Benzethonium Chloride, a toxic preservative. The Suitability Petition that has been granted enables immediate re-filing of the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application for KETAFREE™. The Company believes that this proposed product addresses two critical policy objectives as articulated by the current administration: (1) the re-shoring of strategically important drugs, particularly sterile products from foreign manufacturing sources, and (2) the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) objective of removing toxic preservatives and colorants from foods and drugs. These objectives have been articulated on numerous occasions by FDA and HHS leadership.

The current market for ketamine is estimated at $750 million. The Company believes that its proposed KETAFREE™ product will be a successful offering in that market, wholly apart from the Company's aim to supply a non-generic formulation of ketamine (NRX-100) as an innovative new drug to treat suicidal depression and PTSD under a New Drug Application.

"Last week, NRx was honored to be selected to attend a ‘listening session' hosted by the FDA Commissioner, for biotechnology CEOs. We appreciate FDA's rapid response on the requested Suitability Petition and look forward to bringing our preservative-free presentation of ketamine to the US market at the earliest possible moment," said Jonathan C. Javitt, MD, MPH, Chairman and CEO of NRx Pharmaceuticals.

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