October 2025 – Toronto, Canada: AmacaThera, a biotechnology company specializing in hydrogel-based drug delivery technologies, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pacira BioSciences, Inc., a leader in non-opioid pain management, to develop and commercialize AMT-143 — an investigational long-acting local anaesthetic for post-operative pain.
Under the agreement, AmacaThera will receive US$ 5 million upfront, with potential milestone payments of up to US$ 225 million tied to development and commercial success, along with tiered royalties on future net sales.
Both companies will collaborate on clinical development. AmacaThera will lead select early-stage studies, while Pacira will fund development through commercial launch and take over full responsibility for manufacturing, regulatory activities, and commercialization after a planned Phase 2 trial in 2026.
AMT-143 utilizes AmacaThera’s tunable hydrogel platform, which allows for precise, localized, and extended drug release in an injectable format. In a Phase 1 trial, the formulation provided sustained release of ropivacaine for up to 14 days, demonstrating potential as a long-acting, non-opioid alternative for managing post-surgical pain.
The hydrogel system combines two biocompatible polymers and can be adapted for a range of therapeutics — including small molecules and biologics — supporting scalable and customizable drug delivery applications.
“This partnership validates the strength and versatility of our hydrogel technology,” said Mike Cooke, CEO of AmacaThera. “Working with Pacira enables us to accelerate AMT-143’s development and highlight our platform’s commercial potential.”
Molly Shoichet, CSO of AmacaThera, added that the hydrogel’s tunability “makes it compatible with a broad range of therapies and allows precise control over release profiles.”
“We are pleased to add this complementary, long-acting non-opioid candidate to our pipeline,” said Dr. Jonathan Slonin, Chief Medical Officer of Pacira BioSciences. “AMT-143 aligns with our mission to provide innovative, opioid-sparing options for pain management.”
Aquilo Partners LP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to AmacaThera in this transaction.
AmacaThera is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm developing hydrogel-based drug delivery solutions aimed at improving therapeutic precision and patient outcomes across multiple areas, including post-surgical pain, oncology, and other localized applications.
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is a U.S.-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions.
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