KemPharm Expands Its Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Pipeline With New Acetaminophen-Free, Immediate Release Hydrocodone and Immediate Release Oxycodone Prodrug Product Candidates

CORALVILLE, Iowa, Sept. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KemPharm, Inc. (NASDAQ:KMPH), a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of proprietary prodrugs, announced today that KemPharm has initiated the development of an acetaminophen (APAP)-free formulation of its immediate release (IR) hydrocodone product, KP201, adding to its hydrocodone prodrug pipeline of product candidates. KemPharm expects this highly differentiated product candidate to feature the same abuse-deterrent properties demonstrated by KP201/APAP, KemPharm's most advanced product candidate, in the most recent clinical trial, KP201.A03. In addition, the Company announced it has initiated the development of an IR formulation of its oxycodone prodrug, KP606.

Product Development Strategy

Based on current development timelines, KemPharm anticipates a potential New Drug Application (NDA) filing for acetaminophen-free KP201 in 2017. KP201/IR would be the first IR, acetaminophen-free hydrocodone option available to physicians. In response to the favorable oral exposure data from the KP201.A01 trial, KemPharm is also preparing additional high strengths of both KP201/APAP and KP201/IR (APAP-free) to provide physicians additional flexibility and choices for pain management.

These programs add to KemPharm's pipeline of opioid prodrug product candidates, which includes KP511/ER, an extended release (ER) formulation of its prodrug of hydromorphone, and KP606/IR, a new IR formulation of the Company's prodrug of oxycodone. In addition, KemPharm is developing KP415, a prodrug of methylphenidate with controlled release (CR) features, for managing ADHD. KemPharm continues to build a pipeline of discovery stage candidates and expects additional preclinical candidates to be announced by year-end.

Travis C. Mickle, Ph.D., President and CEO of KemPharm, stated, "Adding acetaminophen-free KP201 to our pipeline represents a significant opportunity to extend our hydrocodone prodrug pipeline of product candidates and could potentially provide patients and physicians with a prescription opioid product that is currently not available. Further, we expect to rapidly develop KP201/IR (APAP-free), which could highlight the value of our LAT prodrug technology, specifically as it relates to the speed with which we may be able to advance our multiple product candidates from early- to late stage clinical development. Beginning with KP201/IR (APAP-free) as early as 2017, we anticipate filing at least one new NDA each year through 2019, potentially bringing multiple highly differentiated and potentially safer products to the market over the next several years."

Dr. Mickle concluded, "The Company understands the importance of immediate release products in the treatment of pain and believes that creating abuse deterrent and safer IR products is important for prescribers and patients. The addition of KP201/IR (APAP-free) and our IR oxycodone prodrug, KP606/IR, highlights KemPharm's focus and progress in this important area."

About KemPharm

KemPharm is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of prodrugs to treat serious medical conditions through its Ligand Activated Therapy (LAT) platform technology. KemPharm utilizes its LAT platform technology to generate improved prodrug versions of FDA-approved drugs in the high need areas of pain, ADHD and other CNS disorders.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "potential," "should," "continue" or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing of filing KemPharm's anticipated NDAs with the United States Food and Drug Administration, the expected timing of completion of additional clinical trials and the availability of human PoC data related thereto. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to KemPharm and its current plans or expectations, and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties associated with: KemPharm's financial resources and whether they will be sufficient to meet KemPharm's business objectives and operational requirements; results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future clinical trial results, the protection and market exclusivity provided by KemPharm's intellectual property; risks related to the drug discovery and the regulatory approval process; and, the impact of competitive products and technological changes. KemPharm's forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they prove incorrect, would cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning KemPharm's business are described in additional detail in KemPharm's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-202660) declared effective April 15, 2015, and KemPharm's other Periodic and Current Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. KemPharm is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.