Heron Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HRTX) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for supportive care and immunology. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, the company develops products designed to address unmet medical needs in patients undergoing cancer treatment and those experiencing acute and chronic pain. Since its founding in 2010 by industry veteran Fred Eshelman, Heron has pursued a strategy of in‐house development and strategic partnerships to bring novel agents to market.
The company’s lead marketed products include SUSTOL, a long‐acting formulation of granisetron approved in the United States for the prevention of delayed‐onset chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and Cinvanti, an intravenous formulation of aprepitant licensed from Helsinn Pharmaceuticals for the prevention of both acute and delayed CINV. Heron also markets HTX‐019, an intravenous, polysorbate 80–free aprepitant formulation, as part of its efforts to offer clinician‐friendly alternatives in antiemetic therapy.
Beyond its approved therapies, Heron maintains a robust pipeline targeting post‐operative pain and immunological disorders. HTX-011, a lead investigational candidate combining bupivacaine and meloxicam for soft‐tissue and orthopedic surgical pain, is in late‐stage clinical development with the potential to reduce opioid consumption. The company is also advancing olorinab, a selective GPR55 agonist, in Phase 2 studies for the treatment of visceral pain associated with Crohn’s disease. These pipeline programs position Heron to expand its therapeutic reach into adjacent areas of acute care and immune modulation.
Serving the U.S. market through a dedicated commercial infrastructure, Heron Therapeutics benefits from collaborative relationships with global pharmaceutical partners to support ongoing development and potential international launches. The company’s leadership team brings together seasoned professionals in drug development, regulatory affairs, and commercialization, backed by a board of directors chaired by biotech investor Fred Eshelman. With a focus on science‐driven innovation and patient‐centric solutions, Heron continues to pursue opportunities that address critical gaps in supportive care and pain management.
