Atossa Genetics Inc (NASDAQ:ATOS) shares gained 10.3% on Monday, a jump market observers said seems unrelated to the company's operations. Trading in Atossa appeared to coincide with news from Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:VNDA), which announced the commercial availability of NEREUS 9 (tradipitant) throughout the United States.
Vanda said NEREUS is now available for the prevention of vomiting induced by motion in adults. The company characterized the drug as the first new prescription medicine approved for this condition in more than 40 years and has launched a direct-to-consumer order platform at nereus.us.
According to Vanda, motion sickness affects an estimated 65 to 78 million Americans - roughly 25% to 30% of adults - when traveling by car, plane, or boat. NEREUS is an oral neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist that acts to block the vomiting center of the brain.
The medication is available by prescription through the company's online portal and at retail pharmacies nationwide. Vanda said patients with a valid prescription can obtain NEREUS through the direct-to-consumer portal at a cash-pay price of $85 per dose, compared with a standard list price of $255 per dose.
Regulatory clearance for NEREUS came from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 30, 2025, following two Phase 3 clinical trials conducted under real-world conditions on the open sea. The studies - Motion Syros and Motion Serifos - both showed that NEREUS significantly prevented vomiting compared with placebo, the company said. The drug is dosed simply, with one or two capsules taken approximately an hour before travel.
Market and product implications
- Equity trading: Atossa's share price moved higher by 10.3% Monday, a move that market watchers link to possible confusion with Vanda's announcement rather than company-specific news for Atossa.
- Pharmaceutical distribution: Vanda's launch includes both retail pharmacy availability and a direct-to-consumer ordering option, which could affect how patients access motion sickness treatments.
- Consumer pricing: Vanda has publicized a cash-pay option at $85 per dose via its portal versus a $255 per dose list price at standard rates.
Additional context provided by Vanda
The company emphasized the novelty of NEREUS for this indication and noted the supporting Phase 3 trial results from Motion Syros and Motion Serifos. Vanda described the drug's mechanism as NK-1 receptor antagonism and highlighted the straightforward dosing schedule designed for pre-travel use.