Emmaus Medical
Emmaus Medical (OTCQX: EMMA) is a Torrance, California-based specialty biopharmaceutical company commercializing Endari, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine oral powder for sickle cell disease, sold via U.S. distributors and MENA regional partners and transitioning to a NeoImmuneTech royalty model in Q2 2026.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersTorrance, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Emmaus Medical does
Emmaus Medical, Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated (operating from Torrance, California) specialty biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes treatments for rare and orphan diseases. Its operating subsidiary, Emmaus Medical, Inc. (California), houses the sickle cell disease franchise. The company's core product is Endari (pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine oral powder), FDA-approved in July 2017 as the first new sickle cell disease therapy in nearly 20 years for patients aged five and older; Phase 3 trial endpoints showed a 25% reduction in sickle cell crises, 33% fewer hospitalizations, and 58% fewer acute chest syndrome cases. Endari is sold under U.S. Orphan Drug exclusivity and through major distributors (McKesson, Cardinal Health, Oncology Supply), specialty pharmacy (US Bioservices), pharmacy benefit managers (Express Scripts), state Medicaid programs (FL, TX, MI preferred drug lists), a military channel (DMS Pharmaceutical), and a telehealth channel (UpScript); international rights are commercialized through taiba Healthcare in the MENA region (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Israel), and a Durbin-managed Named Patient/Early Access Program reaches over 180 countries. Pursuant to a December 2025 License and Exclusive Distribution Agreement with NeoImmuneTech, Emmaus will transition its U.S./Canada Endari business to a royalty model starting Q2 2026, receiving an upfront payment plus ongoing royalties.
Revenue is generated primarily through prescription product sales of Endari, supplemented by upfront payments and royalties under the NeoImmuneTech licensing arrangement; the company is publicly traded on OTCQX under EMMA after a 2019 reverse merger with MYnd Analytics and subsequent delisting from Nasdaq. The pipeline includes pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine for diverticulosis (FDA IND accepted July 2018, positive preliminary pilot data), an in-licensed IRAK4 inhibitor (KM10544) from Kainos Medicine for oncology, and regenerative medicine cell sheet engineering licensed from CellSeed. FY2025 net revenues were $12.5M, down 25% YoY from $16.7M, with Q1 2026 revenue at $2.0M (-18% YoY), driven by generic L-glutamine competition that began in mid-2024; the company achieved a $0.2M operating income in 2025 through a 34% reduction in operating expenses, but reported a $7.2M net loss for FY2025 and a $3.3M net loss in Q1 2026, with $1.1M of cash as of March 31, 2026. Leadership transitioned in 2023–2024: founder Dr. Yutaka Niihara was removed as CEO and Chairman in August 2023, and Willis C. Lee was appointed CEO in July 2024.
Emmaus Medical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Emmaus Medical
- Legal name
- Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc.
- Website
- https://emmausmedical.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Emmaus Medical (OTCQX: EMMA) is a Torrance, California-based specialty biopharmaceutical company commercializing Endari, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine oral powder for sickle cell disease, sold via U.S. distributors and MENA regional partners and transitioning to a NeoImmuneTech royalty model in Q2 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Emmaus Medical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)
Keywords
Where Emmaus Medical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Torrance
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Emmaus Medical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Endari Product Sales: Revenue from sales of Endari (L-glutamine oral powder) for treatment of sickle cell disease. Distributed through specialty pharmacies, major distributors, and healthcare providers in the US and international markets.
- Licensing and Royalties: Emmaus receives upfront payments and ongoing royalties on product sales from NeoImmuneTech under the License and Exclusive Distribution Agreement for U.S. and Canada marketing rights.
- International Distribution Revenue: Revenue from international markets including MENA region, Israel, and other countries through partnerships with regional distributors and early access programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
Emmaus Medical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Emmaus Medical develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription pharmaceutical products for rare and orphan diseases. Its commercial product Endari (L-glutamine oral powder) is FDA-approved to reduce acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients 5 years and older. The company is extending its pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine platform to additional indications (diverticulosis) and has a pipeline that includes an IRAK4 inhibitor (KM10544) for oncology and licensed cell sheet engineering technology.
Product overview
Emmaus Medical (Emmaus Life Sciences) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company with a single commercial product and multiple pipeline candidates. The core product is Endari (L-glutamine oral powder), an FDA-approved treatment for sickle cell disease that received approval in July 2017. The company is expanding its pipeline to include pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine for diverticulosis treatment (in clinical trials), an IRAK4 inhibitor for anti-cancer applications (preclinical), and cell sheet engineering technology for regenerative medicine. The company licenses its regenerative medicine technology from CellSeed and holds intellectual property for IRAK4 inhibitors from Kainos Medicine.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Endari: Prescription L-glutamine oral powder for treatment of sickle cell disease, approved by FDA in July 2017. Also known as Xyndari in European markets.
Products and services
- Endari (L-glutamine oral powder) FDA-approved prescription pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine oral powder for reducing acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients 5 years of age and older. Marketed under the brand name Xyndari in European markets.
- Pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine for Diverticulosis Investigational use of prescription-grade L-glutamine oral powder for the treatment of diverticulosis. Currently in clinical development with FDA IND acceptance.
- IRAK4 Inhibitor (KM10544) Novel IRAK4 inhibitor acquired from Kainos Medicine for potential anti-cancer therapies. Currently in preclinical development.
- Cell Sheet Engineering Technology Regenerative medicine technology in pipeline, licensed from CellSeed, related to cell sheet engineering.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25% reduction in frequency of sickle cell crises vs placebo
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Emmaus Medical
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Emmaus Medical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Emmaus Medical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NeoImmuneTechcoreLicense and Exclusive Distribution Agreement granting NeoImmuneTech exclusive rights to market, sell, and distribute Endari along with generic equivalents in the United States, its territories, and Canada. Emmaus receives upfront payment and ongoing royalties on product sales. Agreement effective pending regulatory approvals, expected to be fully implemented in Q2 2026.
- UpScriptcorePartnership to offer telehealth solutions to sickle cell disease patients, expanding access to Endari through online prescribing, dispensing and delivery.
- AsembiaminorAgreement to provide expanded patient and provider support services to simplify access to Endari.
- Kainos MedicineminorCollaboration for preclinical development of Kainos' patented IRAK4 inhibitor (KM10544) as an anti-cancer drug. Emmaus acquired key intellectual property rights to this compound.
- Partner InternationalminorEngagement of Partner International to lead out-licensing activity for prescription grade L-glutamine oral powder for use in treatment of diverticulosis.
- US Bioservices (AmerisourceBergen)coreCollaboration with US Bioservices for patient adherence program and specialty pharmacy services for Endari, implementing the Endari Support Program.
- taiba HealthcarecorePartnership to commercialize Endari for sickle cell disease in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Includes early access program for patients in certain countries.
- Sickle Cell Disease Association of AmericaminorPartnership with SCDAAMI to support patient education, advocacy, and awareness for sickle cell disease treatment.
- CellSeedminorLicensing agreement with Tokyo-based CellSeed for regenerative medicine technology related to cell sheet engineering.
- DurbincoreAppointment of Durbin, one of the world's leading specialist providers of Managed Access Programs, to manage warehousing and supply chain for products. Durbin distributes to over 180 countries through Named Patient/Early Access Programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Emmaus Medical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Editas Medicine: Editas Medicine is developing reni-cel (reni-cel), an in vivo CRISPR gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease, in clinical trials. As an emerging gene therapy peer, Editas represents a long-term competitive threat to Endari's chronic management positioning.
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical: Ultragenyx is a commercial-stage rare disease biotech with multiple approved products targeting small patient populations. As a similarly positioned orphan-drug commercial company, Ultragenyx represents a comparable specialty pharma business model in adjacent therapeutic areas.
- Agios Pharmaceuticals: Agios is developing mitapivat (Pyrukynd), an oral pyruvate kinase activator, in sickle cell disease with Phase 3 data presented in 2024. As a focused hematology player with a similar small-molecule, oral dosing approach, Agios represents a direct mechanistic and commercial peer targeting the same patient population.
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is a rare disease specialty pharmaceutical company with multiple approved products and a focus on small patient populations with high unmet need. As a similarly-positioned orphan-drug commercial-stage company, BioMarin represents a comparable business model and strategic archetype for Emmaus.
Broad incumbents
- Pfizer: Pfizer acquired Global Blood Therapeutics in 2022 for $5.4B, gaining Oxbryta (voxelotor) for sickle cell disease before withdrawing it for safety in 2024. As a top-3 global pharmaceutical company with deep SCD commitments, Pfizer competes head-to-head with Emmaus in the same physician call points (hematologists, SCD treatment centers) and represents the scale standard Emmaus cannot match.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb: Bristol-Myers Squibb markets Reblozyl (luspatercept) for beta-thalassemia and has expanded into sickle cell disease, leveraging a deep hematology portfolio. BMS competes with Emmaus for hematologist mindshare and managed care formulary positioning in SCD and adjacent blood disorders.
- Novo Nordisk (Forma Therapeutics): Novo Nordisk acquired Forma Therapeutics in 2022 for $1.1B, gaining etavopivat, an oral PKR activator in development for sickle cell disease. Novo Nordisk's global commercial reach and rare disease infrastructure position it as a formidable competitor in the same hematology channel.
- Novartis: Novartis markets Adakveo (crizanlizumab), an FDA-approved therapy to reduce vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease patients. As a large incumbent with established hematology commercial infrastructure, Novartis directly overlaps Emmaus's prescriber base and competes for the same SCD treatment share.
Direct peers
- bluebird bio: bluebird bio received FDA approval for lovotibeglogene autotemcel (Lyfgenia), a gene therapy for severe sickle cell disease, in December 2023. As a focused gene therapy peer in SCD, bluebird represents another curative-intent alternative competing with Endari in newly diagnosed patients.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Vertex co-developed and commercializes Casgevy (exa-cel) with CRISPR Therapeutics, the first FDA-approved CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease (December 2023). Casgevy directly competes with Endari for newly diagnosed and severe SCD patients, representing a curative-intent alternative that could erode Endari's market over time.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Emmaus Medical social profiles
Digital presenceEmmaus Medical compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Emmaus Medical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Emmaus Medical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Emmaus Medical subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Emmaus Medical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Emmaus Medical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Emmaus Medical
What does Emmaus Medical do?
Emmaus Medical develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription pharmaceutical products for rare and orphan diseases. Its commercial product Endari (L-glutamine oral powder) is FDA-approved to reduce acute complications of sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients 5 years and older. The company is extending its pharmaceutical-grade L-glutamine platform to additional indications (diverticulosis) and has a pipeline that includes an IRAK4 inhibitor (KM10544) for oncology and licensed cell sheet engineering technology.
Is Emmaus Medical a public or private company?
Emmaus Medical is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Emmaus Medical founded?
Emmaus Medical was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Emmaus Medical based?
Emmaus Medical is headquartered in Torrance, United States, in the North America region.
How does Emmaus Medical make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Endari Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Royalties and international Distribution Revenue.
Who are Emmaus Medical's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Editas Medicine, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Agios Pharmaceuticals and BioMarin Pharmaceutical. Broad incumbents are Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk (Forma Therapeutics) and Novartis. Direct peers are bluebird bio and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Does Emmaus Medical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Emmaus Medical.
What industry is Emmaus Medical in?
Emmaus Medical's product category is Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAA, Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2836.