How ALK's UK-Approved Nasal Spray Changes the R&D Model for Acute Emergency Treatment

ALK announced on Oct. 20, 2025, that its adrenaline nasal spray (EURneffy) is now available for prescription by healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom, making it the UK’s first needle-free emergency anaphylaxis treatment for adults and children weighing 30 kg (66 lbs.) or more (1).

This development represents a significant regulatory and formulation milestone, providing a portable, ready-to-use alternative to traditional adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) (1,2). The success of this non-invasive product, which is also approved in the US (under the brand name Neffy), validates an innovative administration route for critical, acute care medication traditionally reliant exclusively on injection (3,4).

The robust clinical and real-world data supporting this intranasal epinephrine product underscore the growing importance of delivery system innovation and human factors engineering (2). Extensive pharmacological studies demonstrated that the spray achieves outcomes comparable to AAIs across various patient scenarios, including when significant nasal congestion is present (1). Furthermore, the first analysis of real-world treatment outcomes reinforces this effectiveness, showing that nearly 9 in 10 patients (89.2%) experiencing allergic reactions were successfully treated with a single dose, matching historic injection response rates (3).

These results are poised to influence development strategies across the pharmaceutical value chain by challenging established practices for acute emergency treatments and demanding greater focus on intuitive design and logistical resilience in drug manufacturing and distribution (2).

Is non-invasive delivery comparable to injection?

Pharmacological data from more than 700 participants and real-world evidence confirm rapid absorption via the nasal mucosa is comparable to intramuscular injection, validating the non-invasive route for life-threatening emergencies like anaphylaxis. This success sets a strong precedent for pursuing alternative delivery methods for other critical, fast-acting therapies.

How does delivery innovation improve adherence?

The needle-free, pocket-sized design directly addresses the practical and psychological barriers—such as needle anxiety and hesitation—that historically caused patients and caregivers to delay or avoid administering life-saving AAIs. Future development programs must integrate simple, intuitive design early in the process to overcome these adherence challenges and potentially improve outcomes.

Can cold chain reliance be reduced?

The new formulation boasts a significantly extended shelf life (up to 30 months total) and requires no special storage conditions, tolerating temperature changes better than traditional AAIs. This breakthrough reduces reliance on the cold chain, simplifies distribution, and has the potential to minimize device waste from expiration, reducing the need for replacement devices by an estimated 32% per year.

References

1. ALK. EURneffy Needle-Free Nasal Adrenaline Spray for Emergency Anaphylaxis Treatment Now Available for Prescription in the UK. Press Release. Oct. 20, 2025.
2. Cole, C. UK Anaphylaxis Nasal Spray Approval Helps Reshape Emergency Allergy Treatment. PharmTech.com, July 18, 2025.
3. Lavery, P. Epinephrine Nasal Spray Comparable to Injection in Real-World Data of Patients Experiencing Anaphylaxis. PharmTech.com, Sept. 9, 2025.
4. Haigney, S. First Nasal Adrenaline Spray Among EMA Approvals in June. PharmTech.com, July 1, 2024.