What Cumberland Pharmaceuticals does

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Nashville, Tennessee-based specialty biopharmaceutical company founded in 1999 by A.J. Kazimi that historically acquired, developed, and commercialized branded prescription pharmaceutical products across hospital acute care, gastroenterology, oncology supportive care, and infectious disease segments. Through July 2026, the company sold a portfolio of FDA-approved brands including Acetadote (acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose), Caldolor (injectable ibuprofen for pain and fever), Kristalose (lactulose laxative), Sancuso (granisetron transdermal patch for chemotherapy-induced nausea), Vaprisol (conivaptan for hyponatremia), Vibativ (telavancin dual-mode antibiotic for MRSA), and Talicia (all-in-one H. pylori therapy). The company historically generated revenue through direct U.S. field sales to hospitals, oncologists, and gastroenterologists, supplemented by international licensing partnerships with SciClone (China), Tabuk (Middle East), PiSA (Mexico), and DB Pharm Korea, reaching $44.5 million in FY2025 revenue (+18% YoY).

In July 2026, Cumberland divested its entire U.S. branded commercial portfolio to Apotex for $100 million cash plus up to $21 million in additional consideration, distributed a $1.50 per share special dividend, and pivoted to a development-stage biopharmaceutical model. The company retains a late-stage clinical pipeline centered on ifetroban, a selective thromboxane receptor antagonist with four Phase II programs targeting Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy (Dyscorban), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Fibroban), systemic sclerosis (Vasculan), and cancer metastasis prevention (in partnership with Vanderbilt Health). Ifetroban has received FDA Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Fast Track Designations for DMD. Cumberland also retains majority ownership in Cumberland Emerging Technologies (CET), a joint venture with Vanderbilt University, Launch Tennessee, and WinHealth Pharma Group that operates a 14,000 sq ft biomedical incubator in Nashville. As of Q2 2026, the company held $16 million in cash and $28 million in shareholders' equity, with management citing over five years of operational runway.

The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker CPIX, employs 51-100 people, and is headquartered at 1600 West End Avenue, Suite 1300, Nashville, Tennessee. Its GTM motion, prior to divestiture, combined direct hospital sales force coverage with co-promotion (e.g., RedHill Biopharma for Talicia) and international licensing — a model now replaced by a pure clinical development and licensing-out strategy.

Name

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals

Legal name

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Website

https://cumberlandpharma.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals is a Nashville-based development-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing ifetroban, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, across four Phase II rare disease programs (DMD cardiomyopathy, IPF, systemic sclerosis, cancer metastasis), after divesting its commercial portfolio to Apotex for $100 million in July 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Cardiovascular & Vascular Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAF), Rare Oncology & Hematologic Malignancy Therapies (HLAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Specialty biopharmaceuticals
• Prescription drug development
• Rare disease therapeutics
• Hospital acute care
• Clinical stage research

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Commercial Product Sales: Prior to the July 2026 Apotex transaction, Cumberland generated revenue through the direct sales of FDA-approved branded pharmaceutical products in the U.S., including Acetadote, Caldolor, Kristalose, Sancuso, Vaprisol, Vibativ, and Talicia. Following the divestiture, Cumberland retains no commercial products and is a development-stage company with no product revenue.
2. Licensing and Milestone Payments: Cumberland earns milestone and upfront payments through international licensing agreements for its commercial brands. International partners including SciClone (China), Tabuk (Middle East), PiSA Farmaceutica (Mexico), and DB Pharm (South Korea) pay for registration, commercialization, and milestone rights to Cumberland's approved products.
3. Strategic Asset Divestiture: In 2026, Cumberland sold its entire U.S. branded commercial portfolio to Apotex for $100 million in cash at closing, plus $11 million for inventory and transition services, and up to $10 million in potential milestone payments, totaling approximately $108 million. This one-time transaction funded a $1.50 per share special dividend and provided capital for ongoing clinical development.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing ifetroban through multiple Phase II clinical programs. Its current work targets Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and cancer metastasis prevention through named candidates including Dyscorban, Fibroban, and Vasculan.

Product overview

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative prescription medicines. The company operated as a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company with FDA-approved branded products including Acetadote®, Caldolor®, Kristalose®, Sancuso®, Vaprisol®, Vibativ®, and Talicia® spanning hospital acute care, gastroenterology, and oncology market segments. In July 2026, Cumberland completed the sale of its commercial portfolio to Apotex for $100 million and transitioned to a development-stage biopharmaceutical organization focused on advancing its late-stage clinical pipeline. The current pipeline includes three Phase 2 product candidates: Dyscorban® (ifetroban) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy, Fibroban® for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and Vasculan® (ifetroban) for systemic sclerosis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dyscorban (ifetroban): Oral capsule being developed for treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
• Fibroban (ifetroban)
• Vasculan (ifetroban)
• Acetadote
• Caldolor
• Kristalose
• Sancuso
• Vaprisol
• Vibativ
• Talicia

Products and services

• Dyscorban® (ifetroban) Oral capsule in Phase II development for cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The program has received FDA Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations.
• Fibroban® Oral ifetroban capsule in Phase II development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with preclinical studies conducted across three models of lung fibrosis.
• Vasculan® (ifetroban) Oral ifetroban capsule in Phase II development for systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by thickening of the skin and internal organs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ifetroban demonstrated 5.4% improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in DMD cardiomyopathy patients over 36 months in Phase 2 FIGHT DMD trial
• +5 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and standard.

• ApotexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Apotex, Canada's largest pharmaceutical company, acquired Cumberland's entire portfolio of FDA-approved brands (Kristalose, Caldolor, Sancuso, Vibativ, Acetadote, Vaprisol, and Talicia) and related commercial organization for $100 million in cash plus up to $11 million in inventory and transition services, with a potential $10 million milestone payment. The transaction closed July 1, 2026, following shareholder approval with over 99% of votes in favor. Cumberland retained its clinical pipeline and majority stake in Cumberland Emerging Technologies.
• Vanderbilt HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Cumberland and Vanderbilt Health jointly announced positive results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of ifetroban to prevent cancer metastasis. The study met its primary safety endpoint and demonstrated statistically significant efficacy signals, supporting advancement into pivotal studies.
• PiSA FarmaceuticamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2025Partnership with PiSA Farmaceutica, a Mexican pharmaceutical firm with a well-established injectable business, for the registration and commercialization of Cumberland's ibuprofen injection product in Mexico. Regulatory approval was obtained in October 2025, and product launch followed.
• RedHill BiopharmacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Co-commercialization agreement for Talicia in the U.S., forming Talicia Holdings Inc. (THI) with Cumberland investing $4 million for a 30% equity stake. The joint model operates under a 70/30 RedHill/Cumberland ownership structure, with Cumberland leveraging its existing field sales force to drive prescription growth and sharing net revenues equally. Talicia is the #1 branded U.S. gastroenterologist-prescribed H. pylori treatment.
• Premier, Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2025Vibativ added to a national group purchasing agreement with Premier, Inc., effective October 1, 2025. The agreement grants Premier's members, including approximately 4,350 U.S. hospitals and 325,000 other healthcare providers, access to pre-negotiated pricing for Vibativ in both the standard 12-vial carton and the newly introduced 4-vial Starter Pak.
• Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing CompanymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Partnership for the registration and commercialization of Vibativ in the Middle East. Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company introduced Vibativ in Saudi Arabia and Jordan following regulatory approval, with potential expansion to other Middle Eastern countries.
• VizientmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2025Vibativ 4-Vial Starter Pak made available through a new contract with Vizient, one of the largest healthcare performance improvement companies in the U.S. Vizient supports over 65% of acute care providers and 97% of academic medical centers, significantly expanding Vibativ's reach in U.S. hospital markets.
• SciClone PharmaceuticalsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2025SciClone Pharmaceuticals received exclusive rights to register, promote, and distribute Vibativ (telavancin) injection across China following regulatory approval from China's National Medical Products Administration. China represents one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. Cumberland and SciClone worked together to launch the product in 2026.
• WinHealth Pharma GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019International partner in the Cumberland Emerging Technologies (CET) joint initiative. WinHealth Pharma Group collaborates with Cumberland, Vanderbilt, and Launch Tennessee to identify innovative product candidates and advance them from the laboratory to the marketplace, particularly for the Asian market.
• Poly Pharmaceuticals, Inc.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Co-promotion arrangement with Poly Pharmaceuticals, a privately held U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company, to promote Kristalose to medical specialties not covered by Cumberland's sales force.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCumberland Emerging Technologies (CET) is a joint initiative between Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Vanderbilt University, Launch Tennessee, and WinHealth Pharma Group. The partnership identifies promising early-stage biomedical research opportunities from Vanderbilt and other academic institutions and develops resulting product candidates toward commercialization. Cumberland holds majority ownership. CET also operates the Life Sciences Center biomedical incubator near Vanderbilt Medical Center.
• Launch TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Cumberland Emerging Technologies (CET) joint initiative alongside Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Vanderbilt University, and WinHealth Pharma Group. Launch Tennessee is a state-supported network created to empower Tennessee's entrepreneurial ecosystem and supports the identification and development of innovative biomedical product candidates.
• DB Pharm Korea Co. Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDB Pharm Korea distributes Caldolor in South Korea and filed for approval of Vibativ in South Korea, extending Cumberland's international footprint into the Korean pharmaceutical market.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is an established rare-disease biopharma with multiple approved therapies and a development pipeline. It is comparable in rare-disease drug development and commercialization, but is broader and more mature than the post-pivot Cumberland.
• Insmed: Insmed is a commercial-stage rare-disease biopharma with both development and commercialization capabilities. It provides a comparable model for a rare-disease-focused company moving from pipeline assets toward market, although its products and indications differ.

Emerging players

• Avidity Biosciences: Avidity is a clinical-stage biotech developing antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates for DMD and other serious muscle diseases. It shares Cumberland's DMD target population and development-stage model, although it uses a different therapeutic modality.
• Dyne Therapeutics: Dyne is a clinical-stage company developing targeted therapies for DMD and other serious muscle diseases. It overlaps with Cumberland's rare neuromuscular target market and clinical development pathway, while using a different modality.
• Solid Biosciences: Solid Biosciences is a clinical-stage DMD-focused gene-therapy company developing treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is directly comparable through the same indication and early-to-mid-stage clinical execution risk, despite a different delivery technology.
• PepGen: PepGen is a clinical-stage biotech developing peptide-enabled oligonucleotide therapies for DMD and myotonic dystrophy. It is comparable through the DMD/rare-neuromuscular target market and early clinical execution profile.

Direct peers

• FibroGen: FibroGen is a public biopharma with clinical programs in IPF and fibrosis and a focus on therapeutics for serious diseases. It is comparable in pulmonary-fibrosis R&D and late-stage clinical execution, although it has other programs as well.
• Pliant Therapeutics: Pliant is a clinical-stage biopharma developing integrin inhibitors for fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, one of Cumberland's lead ifetroban indications. It is a direct indication peer in pulmonary fibrosis.
• Sarepta Therapeutics: Sarepta is a public biopharmaceutical company focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases, with approved and clinical-stage therapies addressing a similar rare-disease patient population. Its DMD franchise makes it a direct indication peer even though its modalities differ from ifetroban.
• PTC Therapeutics: PTC develops and commercializes medicines for rare diseases, including a DMD franchise, across development and commercialization. Its DMD and broader rare-disease focus makes it a direct clinical and target-market peer for Cumberland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cumberland-pharmaceuticals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cumberland Pharmaceuticals