Kipu and Opio Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Integrated Robotic Methadone Dispensing to OTP Market

New Kipu & Opio ZING® integration speeds methadone dosing up to 400%—accelerating access to life-saving care as clinics absorb a worsening nursing shortage

MIAMI, Aug. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kipu Health, the intelligent operating system fueling behavioral health, today announced a partnership with Opio Connect to bring the ZING® robotic methadone dose assembly system to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) using the Kipu platform. The integration enables clinic staff to send approved dose orders from Kipu directly to the ZING robotic dose assembly system, automating the manual preparation of take-home methadone doses, and returning nursing time to patient care.

The opioid use disorder treatment market is under significant strain—and OTP clinics are caught in the middle. Federal grant funding is helping programs expand access, with more than $1.5 billion in SAMHSA State Opioid Response grants awarded in 2025 alone. But the workforce to support that growth is disappearing. Nearly one in three nurses plans to leave the profession by 2027.

The pressure is felt most acutely at the dosing window. Nurses spend hours each day manually pouring, sealing, and labeling take-home methadone doses—on top of patient care, documentation, and compliance responsibilities. The result is long patient wait times, limited capacity, and a daily grind that accelerates the very burnout pushing nurses out of the field.

"OTP clinics are being asked to do more with less every year," said Carina Edwards, CEO of Kipu Health. "The ZING integration is a direct answer to that pressure. It automates the most labor-intensive part of the OTP workday, gives nurses time back, and keeps every dose tied to the patient record in Kipu. For the clinics we serve, this is needed innovation to ensure their organizations thrive."

By making methadone dose preparation up to four times faster, the Kipu and Opio ZING integration helps OTPs keep pace with growing demand without adding headcount. Automating one of the most time-intensive clinical workflows reduces the burden that contributes to nurse burnout while helping clinics shorten wait times, strengthen medication safety, and maintain a complete, auditable record for every dose.

"Kipu's market-leading platform paired with this integration is force-multiplying for opioid treatment programs," said Sam Wilson, Opio CEO. "We've seen 358% ROI on staffing efficiencies at clinics running ZING. Combining that with Kipu's clinical workflow engine means opioid treatment programs can provide lifesaving care to more patients while simultaneously supporting their nurses."

The U.S. opioid use disorder treatment market is projected to grow from $3.66 billion in 2025 to $9.64 billion by 2034, an 11% compound annual growth rate, driven by federal policy priorities, expanded MOUD access requirements, and ongoing treatment demand. Through this partnership, Kipu is extending its intelligent behavioral health platform into the OTP market with a solution designed to help providers scale operations while improving patient care.

Kipu will feature information on the joint solution while at the USAOTP Annual Conference 2026, a premier event dedicated to advancing the field of opioid treatment by bringing together leading experts, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry advocates.

About Kipu Health

Kipu Health is the intelligent operating system fueling behavioral health. Built for behavioral health from day one, Kipu connects clinical, operational, and financial workflows across the care continuum—from admissions through revenue cycle—in one AI-native platform. Kipu serves more than 6,000 behavioral health organizations across the United States. Learn more at kipu.com.

About Opio Connect

Opio Connect is a healthcare technology company transforming medication access through intelligent pharmacy automation and remote care solutions. Its flagship product, the ZING® robotic dose assembly system, automates methadone dose preparation, improving safety, efficiency, and patient access while reducing workforce burden.

SOURCE Kipu Health