CounterX Therapeutics Secures Exclusive Licensing Deal for Opioid Overdose Treatments

Novel monoclonal antibodies and vaccines target fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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CounterX Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing novel antibody therapeutics and vaccines to address opioid overdose and dependence, has executed an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington. The agreement covers issued and pending patents for innovative therapeutics and vaccine candidates targeting fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, as well as platform technologies for various indications.

Why it matters

The opioid epidemic, driven largely by illicit fentanyl, continues to devastate communities across the United States. CounterX's licensed technology, including high-affinity monoclonal antibodies and vaccine candidates, represents a novel biological approach that could complement or extend existing overdose interventions and medications for opioid use disorders.

The details

The licensed intellectual property includes a portfolio of monoclonal antibodies designed to rapidly bind fentanyl and related opioids, as well as vaccine candidates. It also covers the foundational components of CounterX's proprietary CounterXCL™ platform, which aims to advance next-generation biologic approaches to overdose intervention and prevention. The technology was developed by Marco Pravetoni, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CounterX Therapeutics, based on his pioneering research at the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington.

  • CounterX Therapeutics plans to leverage the licensed patents to advance CTRX-101, its lead antibody candidate, into clinical development in 2026.

The players

CounterX Therapeutics

A biotechnology company focused on developing novel antibody therapeutics and vaccines to address opioid overdose and dependence.

Marco Pravetoni, PhD

Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CounterX Therapeutics, and a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington who developed the licensed technology.

University of Minnesota

An institution that collaborated with CounterX Therapeutics on the development of the licensed technology.

University of Washington

An institution that collaborated with CounterX Therapeutics on the development of the licensed technology.

CTRX-101

CounterX Therapeutics' lead antibody candidate that is in development for the prevention of accidental opioid overdose.

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What they’re saying

“This licensing agreement represents a major strategic milestone for CounterX Therapeutics. Securing exclusive rights to this innovative antibody and vaccine portfolio significantly strengthens our intellectual property position and solidifies our mission to deliver transformative therapies to prevent overdose from fentanyl and other opioids.”

— Shawn Iadonato, Chief Executive Officer of CounterX Therapeutics

“This is an exceptional and exciting technology with the potential to address one of the most urgent public health crises of our time. These monoclonal antibodies were designed to precisely target fentanyl and its analogs, offering a novel biological approach that could complement or extend existing drug overdose interventions and medications for opioid use disorders.”

— Marco Pravetoni, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CounterX Therapeutics

What’s next

CounterX Therapeutics plans to leverage the licensed patents to advance CTRX-101, its lead antibody candidate, into clinical development in 2026.

The takeaway

CounterX Therapeutics' exclusive licensing agreement for novel monoclonal antibodies and vaccines targeting fentanyl and other synthetic opioids represents a significant step forward in the fight against the opioid epidemic. This technology has the potential to provide a new biological approach to complement existing overdose interventions and treatments for opioid use disorders.