Nutriband Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Innomedica for AVERSA Fentanyl and all Sports Tape products for Costa Rica
Rhea-AI Summary
Nutriband (NASDAQ: NTRB) signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Costa Rica-based Innomedica for AVERSA fentanyl (upon approval) and all sports tape products manufactured at its Pocono Pharmaceutical / Active Intell subsidiary.
Innomedica will manage and finance regulatory approvals as products ramp up for launch in Costa Rica.
Positive
- Exclusive distribution agreement secured for Costa Rica market
- Innomedica to finance regulatory approvals for product launches
- Agreement covers AVERSA fentanyl upon approval and all sports tape products
- Includes products from Pocono Pharmaceutical / Active Intell subsidiary
Negative
- AVERSA fentanyl availability is contingent on regulatory approval
- Commercial reach initially limited to Costa Rica
- Dependence on a single distributor for market entry
News Market Reaction – NTRB
On the day this news was published, NTRB gained 4.01%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -6.3% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 3 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $2M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $50M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector context shows 2 peers (e.g., QNCX, CVM) in momentum scanners, both down (median move -7.9%), indicating broader biotech volatility even as NTRB traded up 1.23% pre-news.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30 | Shareholder meeting recap | Positive | +6.0% | Annual meeting highlights AVERSA progress, patents, manufacturing and governance changes. |
| Dec 31 | CEO shareholder letter | Positive | -3.0% | CEO outlines 2025 milestones, 2026 outlook, AVERSA progress and index inclusion. |
| Dec 29 | Subsidiary sale deal | Positive | +16.0% | Agreement to sell 90% of Pocono for $5M to fund AVERSA Fentanyl. |
| Dec 18 | Technology LOI | Positive | +3.0% | Non-binding LOI with Qvanta to explore advanced tech for abuse-deterrent R&D. |
| Dec 18 | AVERSA positioning | Positive | +3.0% | Company highlights AVERSA Fentanyl opportunity and IP breadth amid regulatory focus. |
Recent corporate and strategic updates have more often seen positive price alignment, but there are occasional divergences even on constructive news.
Over the last few months, Nutriband has focused updates on AVERSA Fentanyl development, corporate transactions, and technology partnerships. A $5M sale of 90% of Pocono Pharmaceutical on Dec 29, 2025 and related projections for AVERSA Fentanyl coincided with a 16.04% gain. Other AVERSA‑related communications and a shareholder meeting summary on Jan 24–30, 2026 also saw positive reactions, while the Dec 31, 2025 CEO letter drew a modest decline. Today’s Costa Rica distribution agreement extends the commercialization narrative built in these prior updates.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands Nutriband’s commercialization pathway by securing an exclusive Costa Rica distributor for AVERSA Fentanyl and sports tape products, with Innomedica also handling regulatory approvals. Historically, AVERSA‑focused and strategic updates often produced constructive price reactions, though the latest 10‑Q reflected a nine‑month net loss of $7.26M and EPS of ($2.54). Investors may watch subsequent regulatory milestones, regional launch progress, and how these agreements translate into revenue relative to current annual sales levels.
Key Terms
fentanyl medical
regulatory approvals regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutriband Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Costa Rica Based Innomedica for AVERSA Fentanyl upon approval and all sports tape products manufactured at its Pocono Pharmaceutical / Active Intell subsidiary. Innomedica will also be overseeing and financing all regulatory approvals for the above mentioned products as they ramp up for launch.
About AVERSA™ Abuse-Deterrent Transdermal Technology
Nutriband's AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent transdermal technology incorporates aversive agents into transdermal patches to prevent the abuse, diversion, misuse, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential. The AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent technology has the potential to improve the safety profile of transdermal drugs susceptible to abuse, including opioids and stimulant drugs, while making sure that these drugs remain accessible to those patients who really need them. The technology is covered by a broad intellectual property portfolio with patents granted in the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia, China, Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
About Nutriband Inc.
We are primarily engaged in the development of a portfolio of transdermal pharmaceutical products. Our lead product under development is an abuse-deterrent fentanyl patch incorporating our AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent technology. AVERSA™ technology can be incorporated into any transdermal patch to prevent the abuse, misuse, diversion, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential.
The Company's website is www.nutriband.com. Any material contained in or derived from
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in its forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those including the Company's ability to develop its proposed abuse-deterrent fentanyl transdermal system and other proposed products, its ability to obtain patent protection for its abuse technology, its ability to obtain the necessary financing to develop products and conduct the necessary clinical testing, its ability to obtain Federal Food and Drug Administration approval to market any product it may develop in the United States and to obtain any other regulatory approval necessary to market any product in other countries, including countries in Europe, its ability to market any product it may develop, its ability to create, sustain, manage or forecast its growth; its ability to attract and retain key personnel; changes in the Company's business strategy or development plans; competition; business disruptions; adverse publicity and international, national and local general economic and market conditions and risks generally associated with an undercapitalized developing company, as well as the risks contained under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's periodic and current reports on Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and 8-K and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date hereof.
Contact Information:
Nutriband Inc.
Phone: 407-377-6695
Email: info@nutriband.com
SOURCE: Nutriband Inc.
FAQ
What did Nutriband (NTRB) announce on February 17, 2026 regarding distribution in Costa Rica?
Will Innomedica handle regulatory approvals for NTRB products in Costa Rica?
Does the Nutriband distribution deal include AVERSA fentanyl immediately for NTRB shareholders?
Which Nutriband products are covered by the exclusive agreement with Innomedica?
How might the Innomedica deal affect Nutriband's market entry timeline for NTRB products?
Is the Nutriband distribution agreement for Costa Rica exclusive and what does that mean for NTRB?
