Toronto, November 4, 2025 — AmacaThera has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pacira BioSciences, Inc. for AMT-143, a non-opioid anesthetic for post-operative pain. AmacaThera will receive US$5 million upfront and up to US$225 million in potential future milestone payments.
The partnership validates AmacaThera’s tunable hydrogel platform, which delivers sustained local release of ropivacaine. AmacaThera and Pacira will collaborate on the Phase 2 clinical program, with Pacira funding clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization. The program is projected to commence in 2026.
Mike Cooke, CEO of AmacaThera, said that the partnership with Pacira validates its tunable hydrogel platform. Molly Shoichet, CSO of AmacaThera, added that the platform combines two well-known, biocompatible polymers into an elegant hydrogel that enables precise, localized, and sustained drug delivery.
Jonathan Slonin, MD, MBA, CMO of Pacira BioSciences, said that they are encouraged by the Phase 1 data and confident in AMT-143’s potential to address a critical unmet need in the market. Aquilo Partners LP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as financial and legal advisors to AmacaThera on this transaction, respectively.
For more information, please visit: www.amacathera.com
Source: AmacaThera
