Emergent BioSolutions Underscores Continued Support of Increasing Naloxone Awareness Through Public Education Campaign on International Overdose Awareness Day
MWN-AI** Summary
Emergent BioSolutions is reigniting its "Ready to Rescue" campaign on International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2025), aimed at educating college students about opioid emergencies and the lifesaving potential of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. Leading this initiative are Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, serving as the campaign spokesperson, and Zac Clark, Founder/CEO of Release Recovery, who will visit various U.S. college campuses to engage young adults in critical conversations about the opioid crisis.
Despite reported declines in overdose deaths in 2024, the opioid epidemic remains a significant concern, with disparities among states in prevention strategies, according to a recent Mental Health America report. The report calls out Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan as states needing urgent support for opioid overdose response efforts. To address the ongoing crisis, the campaign includes educational activations at colleges through partnerships with Greek Life and wellness departments, focusing on normalizing discussions around mental health and substance use.
As part of the campaign, attendees will receive "Ready to Rescue" kits, which contain vital information about recognizing opioid emergencies and administering NARCAN® through a straightforward method: “Lay, Spray, Stay.” The initiative aims to arm young adults, especially those aged 18 to 25—the demographic most vulnerable to opioid misuse—with the knowledge and resources to act in emergencies.
Additionally, Emergent is sponsoring Mobilize Recovery’s "Campus Surge" initiative to further enhance overdose education and harm reduction resources. "On International Overdose Awareness Day, and beyond, Emergent remains dedicated to combating the devastating impacts of opioid overdoses," stated Paul Williams of Emergent BioSolutions. Through community-oriented education and access to lifesaving treatments, Emergent aims to prepare and empower future generations. For more information on opioid emergencies and to access educational resources, visit ReadytoRescue.com and NARCAN.com.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) is taking notable strides in addressing the opioid crisis, particularly among college students, through its “Ready to Rescue” public education campaign. The emphasis on awareness and the distribution of NARCAN® Nasal Spray is critical, especially as opioid misuse remains a pressing concern among young adults aged 18 to 25. This demographic represents the highest rates of opioid dependency, yet less than 15% are equipped with the knowledge to administer life-saving naloxone medications.
The partnership with influential figures such as Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and addiction recovery expert Zac Clark highlights the urgency of this matter. Their engagement on college campuses serves not only to educate but also to dismantle the stigma associated with opioid emergencies. With statistics indicating that the progress in reducing overdose deaths is uneven across states, Emergent's initiatives offer a vital lifeline for at-risk populations, notably in states like Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan, which are identified as needing enhanced opioid crisis responses.
From a market perspective, investments in public health initiatives, particularly those targeting opioid recovery education, could have significant long-term benefits for Emergent. The recent sponsorship of Mobilize Recovery’s “Campus Surge” initiative aligns the company with a proactive approach to address addiction, fortifying its position as a leader in public health solutions.
Moreover, as regulatory pressures around opioid safety increase and public scrutiny grows, companies like Emergent that prioritize community health and education may see enhanced brand loyalty and market expansion. Investors would do well to consider the potential for growth in sectors that prioritize prevention and harm reduction strategies. Therefore, maintaining a close watch on Emergent BioSolutions' partnerships and initiatives could reveal compelling opportunities in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
- Pro Football Hall of Famer and Ready to Rescue campaign spokesperson, Emmitt Smith, and Release Recovery Founder/CEO, Zac Clark, plan to visit several U.S. college campuses to educate on opioid emergency preparedness
- New sponsorship of Mobilize Recovery's “Campus Surge” initiative brings addiction prevention and recovery support to higher education institutions
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31, Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) is re-launching its Ready to Rescue public education campaign, which raises awareness of opioid emergencies and the importance of being prepared with NARCAN ® Nasal Spray among young adults at college/university activations with Greek Life, wellness services and athletic departments. Together, Pro Football Hall of Famer and campaign spokesperson, Emmitt Smith, and Release Recovery founder and CEO, Zac Clark will lead inspiring conversations to break down the stigma around accidental opioid poisonings and empower students to be ready to save a life with over-the-counter NARCAN ® Nasal Spray.
Despite encouraging data showing a decline in overdose deaths in 2024, i the dangers of the opioid crisis remain ever present. A recent report from Mental Health America analyzing publicly available national data shows that progress in reducing overdose deaths is not uniform across the country, with some states differing significantly on prevention strategies and overdose reduction. The report provides a comprehensive ranking of opioid overdose responses across every state, analyzing four systems that have the greatest potential for impact including public health, healthcare, schools and jails.
The new report identifies Texas, Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan as states in need of the most opioid overdose response support in at least one system. This fall, Ready to Rescue will host a tailgate activation at schools near Chicago, IL, and will be joined by Release U – Release Recovery’s digital personal development and mental wellness platform designed to meet the needs of today's students in Dallas, TX, Baton Rouge, LA and Detroit/Ann Arbor, MI. In light of the rise of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, paired with potential stressors that many students face, ii Smith and Clark will discuss the connection between mental health and substance use, while encouraging students to look out for each other by normalizing these topics. During the events, attendees will also receive Ready to Rescue kits with information on the signs of an opioid emergency and watch NARCAN ® Nasal Spray demonstrations, so they can be prepared to save a life using the simple “Lay, Spray, Stay” method.
"Having personally navigated the profound challenges of opioid dependency after brain surgery and supported so many truly incredible people on their sobriety journeys at Release Recovery, I know that opioid emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” said Zac Clark, founder & CEO of Release Recovery. “I’m proud to be teaming up with Emergent for these campus events to extend critical naloxone resources that will help the next generation be better prepared in an opioid emergency. Every conversation is an important step in changing the course of the epidemic, and ultimately, saving lives.”
Opioid misuse and dependency is the highest among young adults ages 18 to 25, iii yet less than 15 percent of American college students know how to administer live-saving opioid reversal naloxone medications. iv In honor of IOAD’s focus on overdose prevention and to help close this gap, Emergent is also sponsoring Mobilize Recovery ’s Campus Surge initiative, which will provide action-driven overdose education and harm reduction engagement across several additional college campuses nationwide. This year, Campus Surge will provide life-saving resources and prevention tools to schools at the start of the academic year to empower students to activate change.
“On International Overdose Awareness Day and every day, Emergent honors the countless lives lost from opioid overdoses, and is committed to leading and strengthening our efforts across the U.S. and Canada to help reduce the devastating toll of this public health crisis," said Paul Williams, senior vice president, head of products business, global government & public affairs at Emergent. “Our mission is to protect and save lives – and that is fulfilled when we positively impact at-risk and vulnerable communities, like college students, while also ensuring widespread access and awareness of over-the-counter NARCAN ® Nasal Spray 4 mg, so more people can be ready to rescue when it matters most.”
Recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose/poisoning—such as trouble breathing, pinpoint pupils, and pale and clammy skin—and acting quickly can be the difference between successfully reversing the effects of a poisoning, and not. v Visit ReadytoRescue.com for additional education and resources, and to learn how to be prepared in an opioid overdose emergency with life-saving intranasal naloxone visit NARCAN.com (U.S. site) and NARCANNasalSpray.ca (Canada site).
Emmitt Smith and Zac Clark are paid spokespeople for Emergent.
About NARCAN ® Nasal Spray
NARCAN ® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN ® Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be necessary. Use as directed.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how we help prepare communities around the world for today’s health challenges and tomorrow’s threats, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
Investor Contact:
Richard S. Lindahl
Executive Vice President, CFO
lindahlr@ebsi.com
Media Contact:
Assal Hellmer
Vice President, Communications
mediarelations@ebsi.com
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i https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2025/20250514.htm
ii https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/college
iii https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8750763/
iv https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38648053/
v Product Monograph. 2025. NARCAN ® Nasal Spray. Retrieved from https://narcannasalspray.ca/PM/NNS_EN.pdf .
FAQ**
How does the partnership between Emergent BioSolutions Inc. EBS and the Ready to Rescue campaign aim to address the opioid emergency among college students through the upcoming campus visits by Emmitt Smith and Zac Clark?
What measurable outcomes does Emergent BioSolutions Inc. EBS anticipate from the Mobilize Recovery's Campus Surge initiative to enhance opioid overdose response education on college campuses?
In what ways will Emmitt Smith and Zac Clark engage students in conversations about opioid emergencies, and how does this align with Emergent BioSolutions Inc. EBS's mission to protect and save lives?
How is Emergent BioSolutions Inc. EBS leveraging its expertise in public health to support students in understanding the importance of having NARCAN ® Nasal Spray readily available during their college experience?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS).
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