The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to KemPharm Inc. for its new painkiller drug candidate. The Coralville-based company developed the drug candidate, known as KP201/APAP, as an abuse-deterrent, immediate-release alternative to the combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. The FDA has set a target action date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of June 9, which is earlier than the company originally anticipated. “We believe this milestone brings us one step closer to providing prescribers and patients with a new acute pain treatment option that may deter certain common methods of abuse while providing the same pharmacokinetic and therapeutic effect as currently available from immediate-release medications,” said Travis Mickle, the company’s president and CEO.

 Read a recent article about KemPharm on BusinessRecord.com.