PAINREFORM ignites ophthalmology push with LayerBio deal & NVIDIA tie-up as shares slump 32%
By ATTN Desk · Editorial oversight: Sean Han
PAINREFORM LTD: Clinical-Stage Reformulator of Pain Therapeutics
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, PAINREFORM LTD specializes in the reformulation of established therapeutics for postoperative pain management. The company’s proprietary extended‐release drug‐delivery system, PRF-110, is an oil-based solution instilled directly into the surgical wound to provide localized analgesia without the need for repeated dosing or frequent use of opiates.
| Ticker | Exchange | Price (USD) | Change (%) | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRFX | NASDAQ | 1.6050 | −32.28 | 1,317,455 |
Corporate Structure and Leadership
PAINREFORM operates with a team of 2–10 employees. Key executives include:
- Ehud Geller, Ph.D. – Executive Chairman & Interim CEO, with over 30 years of experience in the biopharma sector, including executive roles at Teva and Interpharm.
- Prof. Eli Hazum – CTO, formerly Head of Receptor Research at Glaxo Inc. and general partner at Medica VC.
- Dr. Sigal Aviel – COO, previously Chief R&D Officer at MediWound and VP of clinical and regulatory affairs at Biokine.
- Mrs. Rita Keynan – VP of Pharmaceutical Operations, with extensive CMC and scale-up experience at Foamix Pharmaceuticals and VYNE Therapeutics.
Pain management by Morgan Rovang
Recent Developments and News
On July 10, 2025, PAINREFORM signed a Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire 51% of LayerBio, Inc.’s fully diluted share capital. The agreement specifies a $600,000 initial payment (net of a $50,000 bridge loan) and up to $2.4 million in four milestone-based tranches tied to a planned Phase II clinical trial of LayerBio’s ophthalmology product.
On August 13, 2025, the company announced the completion of its strategic investment in LayerBio, aimed at developing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) delivery system for cataract surgery, a market projected to reach USD 9 billion.
On August 19, 2025, PAINREFORM/DeepSolar was accepted into the NVIDIA Connect Program, indicating an initiative to explore AI-driven solutions in health care.
Financial and Strategic Analysis
As of August 20, 2025, shares of PRFX traded at USD 1.6050, down 32.28% from the previous session, with a volume of 1.3 million shares. Market capitalization stood at approximately USD 4.8 million. Current revenue figures are not disclosed in the available filings.
The strategic investment in LayerBio expands PAINREFORM’s portfolio into ophthalmology while utilizing its expertise in extended-release formulations. The staged funding model aligns capital deployment with clinical milestones, which may reduce upfront risk. Participation in the NVIDIA program suggests potential collaboration on data analytics or AI tools for drug development or patient monitoring.
Market Position and Industry Context
PAINREFORM operates in the specialty pharmaceutical segment focusing on postoperative pain management. Its lead product, PRF-110, competes with topical post-surgical analgesics that utilize liposomes or synthetic polymers containing bupivacaine. Utilizing the FDA’s 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, the company seeks to achieve an expedited approval process for reformulated drugs. The emphasis on non-opioid solutions correlates with ongoing concerns regarding opioid use following surgery.
tl;dr
On August 19, 2025, PAINREFORM was accepted into NVIDIA’s Connect Program. Earlier in August, the company completed a strategic investment in LayerBio, which includes funding of up to USD 2.4 million for a Phase II trial of an NSAID delivery system for cataract surgery. PRFX shares traded at USD 1.6050 on August 20, reflecting a one-day decline of 32.28%. The LayerBio partnership and AI initiative highlight the company's focus on product development and technological integration.