Johnson & Johnson MedTech (NYSE:JNJ) today announced a strategic co-promotion agreement with Pacira BioSciences.
The agreement expands the J&J MedTech Early Intervention portfolio with Pacira’s Zilretta. Zilretta (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) is an extended-release injectable for the treatment of pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
Zilretta first received FDA approval in October 2017 as the first and only extended-release intra-articular therapy for patients confronting OA-related knee pain. It employs proprietary microsphere technology combining triamcinolone acetonide with a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) matrix to provide extended pain relief.
In addition to the therapy, the agreement includes shared professional education and engagement initiatives. The companies aim to support awareness for non-surgical options earlier in the treatment process.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech says the agreement reflects its broader mission to advance orthopedic care.
“This collaboration represents a meaningful step in addressing the growing burden of osteoarthritis and helping millions of patients find relief earlier in their treatment journey,” said Oray Boston, worldwide president of Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Animal Health and Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “It also expands our Early Intervention portfolio, deepening how we engage patients at a critical point in care.”
J&J continues to build in the drug delivery space. Last week, the company announced that the FDA granted priority review to a new drug application (NDA) for its TAR-200, an intravesical gemcitabine-releasing system
