New River Management

New River Pharmaceuticals was a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel pharmaceuticals that are versions of widely prescribed drugs, designed to be safer and less prone to abuse. The company's primary technology platform, Carrierwave, involved creating prodrugs by covalently bonding an active pharmaceutical ingredient to a chemical moiety, such as an amino acid. Its most significant achievement was the development of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The company was acquired by Shire plc in 2007 for approximately $2.6 billion, primarily to secure full rights to Vyvanse. New River was founded by Randal J. Kirk and was based in Blacksburg, Virginia.