South Rampart Pharma Strengthens Board with Appointment of Ochsner Health CEO Pete November

Ochsner's follow-on investment underscores commitment to advancing SRP-001 as a leading candidate in the burgeoning non-opioid therapeutic space

, /PRNewswire/ -- South Rampart Pharma, Inc. ("South Rampart" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing best-in-class, non-opioid pain therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health, to its Board of Directors. Mr. November's appointment coincides with a strategic investment by Ochsner Health in South Rampart's Series A financing round, which will support the Phase 2 randomized clinical trial of SRP-001, the Company's lead analgesic candidate.

Mr. November commented, "We have supported South Rampart as an investor from its early stages, and now, as the Company has rapidly advanced to mid-stage clinical trials, I am excited to join the Board at this pivotal moment. Their innovative approach to pain aligns with our mission at Ochsner Health to deliver safer, more effective healthcare solutions. I look forward to contributing to the Company's growth and clinical success as we work to alleviate opioid dependency and enhance patient outcomes."

Ochsner Health is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare innovation and clinical excellence, consistently ranked among the top healthcare systems in the United States. Mr. November brings extensive healthcare leadership and strategic expertise to South Rampart. As CEO of Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest not-for-profit academic health system, he has driven a culture of innovation, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships over the past decade. Previously, Mr. November held senior executive roles at LHC Group and served as an equity partner at Alston & Bird, where he specialized in healthcare transactions and governance.

"Mr. November's exceptional leadership record, combined with his deep knowledge of healthcare management, strategic partnerships, and healthcare investment strategies, will significantly strengthen our ability to advance SRP-001 into late-stage clinical development and, ultimately, commercialization," said Hernan Bazan, MD, FACS, Co-Founder and CEO of South Rampart. "His appointment highlights our commitment to addressing the urgent unmet medical need for safe, effective non-opioid pain therapies."

Dr. Bazan was awarded the National Institutes of Health Trailblazer Award in 2024 for advancing SRP-001 as a novel non-opioid pain candidate. SRP-001, which has received FDA Fast Track designation for the treatment of acute pain, leverages a novel, non-addictive mechanism of action that has demonstrated compelling pain relief in multiple preclinical and Phase 1 studies without the toxicities associated with acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or opioids. The upcoming Phase 2 trial is expected to deliver critical proof-of-concept results within 12 months, positioning SRP-001 as a transformational solution in the rapidly expanding pain management market—projected to surpass $40 billion by 2030.

About Acute, Chronic, and Neuropathic Pain
Acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain represent distinct yet interconnected medical challenges. Acute pain is akin to a biological alarm—often short-lived but intense—signaling immediate harm. Chronic pain persists or recurs for longer than three months, exerting enormous personal and economic burdens, affecting 51.6 million adults in the U.S. in 2021 and up to 30% worldwide. Neuropathic pain, stemming from nerve damage, impacts approximately 7-10% of the population. Current medications, including opioids, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), offer limited relief and carry significant drawbacks, including addiction and organ toxicity. The opioid crisis compounds this issue, with 8.7 million Americans aged 12 or older misusing prescription opioids annually. Collectively, pain conditions degrade quality of life and generate a substantial economic burden, costing the U.S. over $635 billion annually in healthcare expenditures and a global economic impact of approximately $9.6 trillion.

About South Rampart Pharma, Inc.
South Rampart Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage life science biotechnology company dedicated to advancing safer pain treatments by developing best-in-class novel small molecule analgesics designed to overcome the risks associated with current pain medicines. The Company's pipeline of novel compounds has effectively reduced pain and fever in preclinical studies without the liver and kidney toxicities of current non-opioid analgesics. The Company's lead program, SRP-001, is a first-in-class analgesic with FDA Fast Track Designation that targets the midbrain's PAG region without opioid abuse potential or acetaminophen's liver toxicity. Positive Phase 1 trial data confirmed SRP-001's safety and robust pharmacokinetics [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05484414], with Phase 2 data anticipated in Q4 2025.

About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. For 13 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana. Additionally, Ochsner Children's has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for four consecutive years. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and digital connectivity not found anywhere else in the region. In 2024, Ochsner Health cared for more than 1.6 million people from every state in the nation and 63 countries. Ochsner's workforce includes more than 40,000 dedicated team members and over 4,900 employed and affiliated physicians. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.  

Investors:
Josh Blacher, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]

SOURCE South Rampart Pharma