Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA) began selling its new prescription drug NEREUS (tradipitant) in the United States on May 1 2026, following FDA approval on December 30 2025. The launch marks the first new oral therapy for motion‑induced vomiting in more than four decades, filling a long‑standing gap in the antiemetic market.
NEREUS is priced at $85 per dose for patients who obtain the medication through Vanda’s direct‑to‑consumer portal at nereus.us, a cash‑pay price that is roughly one third of the $255 list price of comparable NK‑1 receptor antagonists. The company estimates that 65 to 78 million U.S. adults experience motion sickness, positioning NEREUS to tap a sizable addressable market and potentially generate over $100 million in annual U.S. sales at peak adoption.
The drug’s mechanism—blocking the neurokinin‑1 receptor to inhibit substance P—distinguishes it from over‑the‑counter options such as Dramamine and Bonine and from the prescription scopolamine patch. By targeting vomiting prevention rather than merely symptomatic relief, NEREUS offers a unique therapeutic profile that could drive patient preference and prescriber adoption.
Vanda’s portfolio has long focused on psychiatry, with products such as Fanapt, HETLIOZ, and PONVORY. The NEREUS launch diversifies the company’s revenue base and demonstrates its ability to bring a platform drug to market quickly after regulatory approval. Management has indicated that tradipitant will also be explored for gastroparesis and for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with GLP‑1 receptor agonists, suggesting a broader pipeline strategy.
CEO Mihael H. Polymeropoulos said, "This approval underscores the strong scientific evidence in the antiemetic effects of NEREUS in motion sickness. For the first time in over 40 years, patients have access to a novel therapy grounded in modern neuropharmacology, offering effective prevention without the limitations of existing options." Analysts have noted the launch as a significant milestone, citing a potential $100 million to $300 million revenue opportunity for Vanda and highlighting the company’s expanded market reach beyond its core psychiatry franchise.
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