Protega Pharmaceuticals joins forces in an exclusive agreement with OPOS Solutions software technology platform to improve patient education and chronic pain care

Pharmaceutical and Health Tech companies join efforts to provide pain care prescribers with regulatory compliance-based risk mitigation tools to improve patient care

PRINCETON, N.J., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative specialty pharmaceutical company, Protega Pharmaceuticals Inc., announced today that it has signed an exclusive agreement with OPOS, Inc., in which they are aligning efforts to reduce opioid prescriber and patient risks through comprehensive, personalized technology-enabled services and education.

OPOS delivers technology-enabled solutions for opioid regulatory compliance and optimization, integrating advanced AI predictive analytics, patient education, and medication monitoring through an extensive SaaS platform to support physician practices nationwide. The solutions enable providers who prescribe long-term opioid therapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan to educate patients and compliantly aid in managing patients' chronic pain.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, in 2023, 24.3% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in the previous three months¹, highlighting the critical need for advanced pain management solutions.

"This collaboration supports our mission to improve patient care and reduce risks involved with pain management, as OPOS is dedicated to improving access to well-rounded total pain care and aiding providers in maintaining regulatory compliance while prescribing the lowest effective amount of opioid medication to optimize patient care," said Paul Howe, Chief Operations Officer of Protega. "Our exclusive agreement regarding OPOS' technological platform and service delivery helps physicians risk stratify patients through real-time monitoring and regulatory compliance, forming an integrated approach aimed at improving patient outcomes."

Protega patented SentryBond^™ technology, which is designed to prevent manipulation and misuse via nonoral routes of administration. Protega's collaboration with OPOS further underscores the company's position as a pharmaceutical and medtech company focused on deterring prescription medication misuse and abuse.

"It is critical to empower chronic pain patients to make informed care decisions. As such, we aim to improve long-term access to highly personalized care for appropriate patients through patient education combined with monitoring tools, supported by a framework of regulatory compliance," said Justin Kromelow, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OPOS. "The growing U.S. chronic pain patient population has been challenged with adequate access to care. Working with Protega, we are seeing results, already expanding to positively impact thousands of additional chronic pain patients and their providers."

The growing need for pain management motivated Protega and OPOS to address the demand for effective, monitored treatment options for patients who experience functional benefit, while aiming to reduce the likelihood of misuse and abuse.

Research shows that chronic medical conditions are best managed not only by medication but in tandem with regular monitoring and lifestyle changes. Hence, providers need better end-to-end solutions that proactively and comprehensively monitor patient health, as well as encourage behavioral changes to improve adherence to prescribed medications, diet, and lifestyles.

About Protega Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Protega Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the advancement of prescription drug abuse deterrence through continued innovation and development. For more information, visit www.ProtegaPharma.com.

About OPOS Inc.
OPOS is the industry leader in opioid regulatory compliance and risk management solutions for prescribers and their chronic pain patients. OPOS delivers technology enabled services that, facilitate opioid prescriber regulatory compliance with medical board guidelines, state regulations, CDC, and DEA requirements. OPOS utilizes patient education and predictive AI-driven patient monitoring, within a risk stratified compliance framework, that reduces risk, improves patient care, and enables patients to receive more personalized care that is financially sustainable.

OPOS expands access to specialty chronic pain care. For many, long-term opioid therapy is essential to managing pain and maintaining daily function. OPOS empowers providers, in the face of a pain specialty shortage, with the resources to manage regulatory compliance and deliver responsible, evidence-based pain management. OPOS aims to support chronic pain patients in taking control of their health, enhancing well-being, and living full, meaningful lives.

¹ Lucas JW, Sohi I. Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in U.S. adults, 2023. NCHS Data Brief, no 518. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024, available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db518.htm. Accessed April 2, 2025.

SOURCE Protega