Knoa Pharma foundation names three trustees under Purdue opioid settlement
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 1
Knoa Pharma foundation names three trustees under Purdue opioid settlement
11 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 1
Announced Friday, the trustees are Rahul Gupta, Paul Rothman and David Saltzman, as Purdue is replaced under a settlement worth at least $7.4 billion.
The deal, effective Friday, dissolves OxyContin maker Purdue after thousands of lawsuits, with at least $6.5 billion from the Sacklers paid over 15 years.
More than 900,000 US opioid overdose deaths have been recorded since 1999, while total opioid settlements since 2019 are estimated at $57.8 billion.
With individual payouts slashed and eligibility narrowed, will most opioid victims ever see meaningful compensation from the Purdue settlement?
Can Knoa Pharma's nonprofit model truly prevent further harm while still manufacturing OxyContin, or does it risk repeating past mistakes?
As dangerous new drugs like medetomidine spread, how will states ensure opioid settlement funds are used effectively to address evolving overdose threats?
$7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Ends Purdue Pharma, Launches Knoa Pharma as Public Benefit Company
Overview
On May 1, 2026, Purdue Pharma was dissolved following a bankruptcy process triggered by its role in the opioid crisis. Its assets were transferred to Knoa Pharma, a new public benefit company with no Sackler family involvement. Knoa Pharma operates under strict court injunctions banning opioid promotion and is governed by state-appointed boards and an independent monitor to ensure accountability. The company supplies essential opioids responsibly and directs all profits to the Knoa Foundation, which funds naloxone access, opioid use disorder treatments, and public health initiatives. This transformation is backed by a $7.4 billion settlement funding victim compensation and crisis abatement, marking a major step toward addressing the epidemic while facing ongoing challenges of trust and impact.