Skip to Main Content

CANTON, Mass. — Collegium Pharmaceutical, the scrappy upstart taking on the mighty opioid maker Purdue Pharma, is having a moment.

The company recently convinced Cigna, Humana, Navitus, and top health insurers in Florida and Pennsylvania to cover only its product Xtampza — and not Purdue’s infamous OxyContin — for most patients prescribed the long-acting opioid known to scientists as oxycodone. Earlier this month came another win: The Food and Drug Administration agreed to let Collegium update Xtampza’s label to describe data demonstrating that the capsules are harder than OxyContin to abuse when crushed.

Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!

GET STARTED