Nasal Spray Delivers Life-Saving Epinephrine Faster Than EpiPen in Head-to-Head Study

TEL AVIV, Israel – March 16, 2026 – In a development that could reshape emergency allergy treatment, Nasus Pharma announced today that its investigational needle-free epinephrine spray, NS002, delivered the life-saving medication significantly faster than the standard EpiPen® autoinjector in a Phase 2 clinical study.

The positive top-line data shows the nasal powder formulation achieved a critical therapeutic threshold in the bloodstream in a median time of just 1.69 minutes, compared to 3.42 minutes for the intramuscular EpiPen. For the millions who live with the threat of anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, this difference of nearly two minutes could be crucial.

The Science of Speed

The core of Nasus Pharma's announcement lies in the stark pharmacokinetic data from its 50-subject Phase 2 trial. The study was designed not just to test the nasal spray but to rigorously compare it against the long-standing market leader under various conditions, including during a nasal allergic challenge that simulates a real-world allergic reaction.

The most critical metric in anaphylaxis treatment is the time it takes for epinephrine levels in the blood to reach a concentration of 100 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), the threshold considered necessary to begin counteracting the catastrophic effects of an allergic reaction. The study found NS002 was dramatically faster in this respect.

Key findings from the analysis include:

• Rapid Onset: Within 2.5 minutes of administration, 67.4% of participants using the NS002 nasal spray had reached the therapeutic threshold, compared to only 27.1% of those who used the EpiPen.
• Five-Minute Mark: By the five-minute mark—a critical window for preventing the most severe outcomes—88.4% of the NS002 group had reached the threshold, versus 64.6% in the EpiPen group.
• Higher Early Exposure: Total epinephrine absorption in the first 10 minutes was approximately 50% higher with NS002, demonstrating a more substantial and immediate dose delivery when it matters most.

NS002 leverages the company’s proprietary Nasax® powder platform, which is designed to use uniform spherical particles for broad dispersion across the nasal cavity's rich network of blood vessels, enabling rapid absorption directly into the bloodstream. The study also showed that NS002 reached its peak concentration in the blood faster than the EpiPen (a median of 15 minutes vs. 19.8 minutes) and maintained its performance advantages even upon repeat dosing. Throughout the trial, the nasal spray demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no serious adverse events reported.

A Potential Game Changer for Patients

Beyond the clinical data, the introduction of a viable, fast-acting nasal spray addresses significant unmet needs in the anaphylaxis community. For decades, the only option has been a needle-based auto-injector, a solution that comes with considerable baggage.

Needle phobia is a real and significant barrier to care, causing hesitation that can lead to delayed administration during an emergency. For parents of young children with severe allergies, the prospect of administering an injection can be a source of profound anxiety. The design of auto-injectors, while life-saving, can also be cumbersome to carry and requires training to use correctly, leading to errors in administration under duress.

An easy-to-use, needle-free nasal spray has the potential to remove these psychological and practical barriers. The simplicity of a nasal spray could improve compliance—encouraging patients to carry their medication at all times—and increase the likelihood that they, or a bystander, will use it immediately at the first sign of a severe reaction. This shift could be particularly impactful for pediatric patients, who may be more able to self-administer a nasal spray than an injector.

Challenging the EpiPen Empire

The market for anaphylaxis treatment has long been dominated by the EpiPen, which has become a household name. Nasus Pharma's NS002 is now poised to challenge that dominance, but it is not alone. The competitive landscape for needle-free epinephrine is heating up, most notably with the recent FDA approval of ARS Pharma's Neffy®, another intranasal epinephrine spray.

While Neffy's approval marked a major milestone as the first needle-free option, Nasus Pharma will likely position its product's superior speed of absorption as a key clinical differentiator. The company's leadership is confident in this strategy.

"We've successfully demonstrated NS002's differentiated and potentially superior product profile compared to traditional epinephrine autoinjectors," said Dan Teleman, Chief Executive Officer of Nasus Pharma, in the company's press release. "The compelling top line data significantly strengthens our conviction that NS002 has the potential to become a leading product in anaphylaxis treatment."

The Path Forward: Hurdles and High Stakes

Despite the promising Phase 2 data and a subsequent 21% jump in the company's stock price, the road to market is still long. Nasus Pharma, a clinical-stage company with a market capitalization under $60 million, must now navigate the expensive and complex final stage of clinical development.

The company plans to initiate its pivotal Phase 3 study in the fourth quarter of 2026. This larger, more definitive trial will be required to confirm the Phase 2 findings and provide the evidence necessary for submission to regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Assuming a successful trial, the regulatory review process itself can take a year or more.

Investor sentiment appears bullish, with analysts setting price targets that suggest significant upside. However, commercial success will depend on more than just clinical data. Nasus Pharma will need to secure favorable pricing and reimbursement from insurance providers, educate physicians and patients to drive adoption, and effectively compete against both the entrenched EpiPen and the newly approved Neffy.

The promising results for NS002 represent a significant step forward, offering a glimpse into a future where managing the risk of anaphylaxis is faster, easier, and less intimidating for millions of patients worldwide. The journey through final clinical trials and regulatory approval will be closely watched by patients, physicians, and investors alike.