Johnson & Johnson MedTech Partners with Pacira BioSciences to Promote ZILRETTA for Knee OA Pain.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Pacira BioSciences have partnered to promote ZILRETTA, an extended-release injectable suspension for osteoarthritis knee pain. The co-promotion agreement aims to expand Johnson & Johnson's Early Intervention portfolio and raise awareness of non-surgical treatment options for OA. ZILRETTA uses proprietary microsphere technology to deliver pain relief lasting up to 12-16 weeks. The partnership aligns with Johnson & Johnson MedTech's goal of advancing orthopaedic care through technologies that reflect evolving patient needs and improve outcomes across all stages of disease progression.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a global leader in orthopaedic technologies and solutions, has entered into a strategic co-promotion agreement with Pacira BioSciences, Inc., to expand its Early Intervention portfolio. The agreement focuses on promoting ZILRETTA®, an extended-release injectable suspension for the treatment of pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The collaboration aims to enhance Johnson & Johnson MedTech's offerings and raise awareness of non-surgical treatment options for OA patients.

ZILRETTA, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2017, is the first and only extended-release intra-articular therapy for OA-related knee pain. It employs proprietary microsphere technology that combines triamcinolone acetonide with a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) matrix to deliver extended pain relief lasting up to 12-16 weeks. The agreement also includes shared professional education and engagement initiatives to support awareness of non-surgical options earlier in the OA care pathway.

The partnership reflects Johnson & Johnson MedTech's broader mission to advance orthopaedic care with solutions that reflect changing patient needs and support better outcomes across the spectrum of disease severity. Osteoarthritis affects over 30 million adults in the United States, with knee OA being one of the most common and debilitating forms. Despite a wide range of available treatments, many patients continue to experience pain and mobility limitations, highlighting the need for more effective, longer-lasting solutions earlier in the care pathway.

Oray Boston, Worldwide President of Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Animal Health and Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, stated, "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. It also expands our Early Intervention portfolio, deepening how we engage patients at a critical point in care."

The agreement is part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech's broader strategy to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions, delivering breakthroughs that profoundly impact health for humanity. The company's commitment to advancing orthopaedic care through technologies that reflect evolving patient needs aligns with its mission to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured.

References:
[1] https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-announces-strategic-agreement-with-pacira-biosciences-to-expand-early-intervention-offering-for-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee
[2] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/johnson-johnson-medtech-pacira-biosciences-partner-promote-zilretta-knee-oa-pain
[3] https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/johnson-johnson-medtech-pacira-strategic-agreement/