SQ Innovation, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its drug-device combination Lasix ONYU (furosemide injection) for the treatment of edema (due to fluid overload) in adult patients with chronic heart failure. Lasix ONYU was developed to enable subcutaneous infusion of furosemide outside the healthcare setting for selected patients, as prescribed by a clinician without the need for a healthcare professional to administer the drug.
About 6.7 million Americans suffer from heart failure, with the prevalence expected to rise to 8.7 million by 2030. Heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalizations for individuals aged 65 and older with approximately 1.2 million hospitalizations per year [1].
Lasix ONYU consists of a novel high-concentration formulation of furosemide combined with a state-of-the-art small Infusor for treatment at home. The innovative design includes a reusable unit that can be used for 48 treatments and a plastic sterile single-use unit that is discarded after treatment. The two-component design reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, allowing the product to be offered at a different, more favorable price point which is expected to reduce barriers to widespread adoption.
“Lasix ONYU has the potential to be transformative in the care of patients experiencing worsening heart failure due to fluid overload,” said Pieter Muntendam, MD, founder, President and CEO of SQ Innovation. “Treating selected patients at home offers important benefits to patients, health systems and payors. We look forward to launching Lasix ONYU with leading health systems in the 4th quarter of 2025.”
Bioavailability and diuretic response were determined in a clinical study in which Lasix ONYU demonstrated complete bioavailability (112%) resulting in similar diuresis (115%) and natriuresis (117%) when compared to the same dose given by IV bolus. The biphasic delivery of furosemide by the Infusor resulted in a tempered diuretic response while IV bolus administration led to a shorter period of more intense diuresis. The results of the study were published in a leading cardiovascular journal [2].
“Heart failure is the most common serious medical condition in the U.S. and affects about one in four Americans during their lifetime. The number of patients affected is expected to double over the next 20 years and we currently already often lack adequate resources to take care of the 6.7 million patients affected presently – there are not enough beds, clinicians and funds”, said Dr. Javed Butler, Professor of Medicine at University of Mississippi and President, Baylor Scott and White Research Institute. “The only two actionable solutions now are more widespread adoption of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) and treating more patients at home with products such as subcutaneous diuretics instead of hospitalization for intravenous diuretics.”
“Decongestion through use of IV diuretics has been the cornerstone of treatment for reducing edema and hypervolemia in heart failure patients for over five decades,” stated S. Craig Thomas, Immediate Past President of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN), an organization dedicated to advancing nursing education, clinical practice, and research to improve outcomes for heart failure patients. “The availability of accessible, affordable, and novel options that do not require the presence of a healthcare professional allows for transformative new clinical care-delivery. This means patients who now would typically need to be hospitalized for several days of IV treatment can instead remain home, supported by periodic or remote monitoring. The significance of this shift away from inpatient care for patients, hospitals, and payers cannot be overstated.”
Starting this quarter, Lasix ONYU will be available from leading pharmaceutical distributors enabling timely availability at participating medical facilities and affiliated retail pharmacies.
SQ Innovation is hosting a Conference Call and Webcast on Thursday October 9, at 4:30pm ET to introduce the product and answer questions from the community. Participating in the conference call will be:
Pieter Muntendam, MD, President and CEO of SQ Innovation
Mustafa M. Ahmed, MD, Professor of Medicine, Section Chief, Heart Failure, University of Florida Health, Gainesville, FL
Craig Thomas, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Heart Failure Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA and Immediate Past President American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furosemide
