KP606

KP606 is an investigational, first‑in‑class oral prodrug of oxycodone developed by KemPharm using its Ligand Activated Therapy (LAT) technology to create an abuse‑deterrent opioid analgesic for pain management.[1][3][7] In KP606, oxycodone is covalently linked to a ligand, rendering the molecule inactive until enzymatically cleaved in the body; this design aims to provide effective analgesia while reducing rapid oxycodone release associated with euphoria, limiting intranasal and intravenous abuse, and potentially reducing opioid‑induced constipation through altered pharmacokinetics.[1][3][7] The program has also included development of an immediate‑release formulation (KP606/IR) intended for acute pain, with tamper‑resistant physicochemical properties that make extraction or rapid activation of oxycodone difficult using common manipulation techniques employed by abusers.[4][6][14]