Pacira BioSciences has announced a strategic co-promotion agreement with Johnson & Johnson MedTech to significantly expand the availability of ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), marking a major development in non-opioid pain management for osteoarthritis knee pain. The collaboration, announced on July 2, 2025, will utilize Johnson & Johnson's specialized sales team to enhance distribution and market reach for the extended-release intra-articular therapy.
Partnership Details and Market Strategy
Under the agreement, Johnson & Johnson MedTech's sales force will co-promote ZILRETTA, leveraging their expertise in early intervention to expand market penetration. The collaboration is expected to significantly increase access to the therapy, which has demonstrated the ability to provide extended pain relief for up to 16 weeks in clinical trials.
The expanded promotional effort will target a broader range of physician specialties, including sports medicine, pain management, and rheumatology, extending beyond traditional orthopedic practices. This strategic approach aims to reach a larger portion of the seven million intra-articular knee injections administered annually in the United States.
Clinical Significance and FDA Approval
ZILRETTA received FDA approval on October 6, 2017, as the first and only extended-release intra-articular therapy for patients with osteoarthritis-related knee pain. The therapy employs proprietary microsphere technology that combines triamcinolone acetonide—a commonly administered, short-acting corticosteroid—with a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) matrix to provide extended pain relief.
The pivotal Phase 3 trial supporting ZILRETTA's approval demonstrated that the therapy significantly reduced osteoarthritis knee pain for 12 weeks, with some patients experiencing pain relief through Week 16. This extended duration of action represents a significant advancement over traditional short-acting corticosteroid injections.
Strategic Alignment and Growth Objectives
The collaboration aligns with Pacira's 5x30 strategy, which focuses on driving growth and improving patient outcomes through targeted partnerships. Pacira BioSciences, recognized as an industry leader in non-opioid pain therapies, is committed to transforming patient lives through innovative treatments.
For Johnson & Johnson MedTech, the partnership reflects their broader mission to advance orthopaedic care with solutions that address changing patient needs and support better outcomes across the spectrum of disease severity. The agreement is expected to increase ZILRETTA sales calls and expand patient access to this non-opioid pain management option.
Safety Profile and Clinical Considerations
ZILRETTA is indicated as an intra-articular injection for the management of osteoarthritis pain of the knee, with the limitation that the efficacy and safety of repeat administration have not been demonstrated. The therapy is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to triamcinolone acetonide, corticosteroids, or any components of the product.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions in clinical studies, occurring in 1% or more of patients, included sinusitis, cough, and contusions. Important safety considerations include the requirement for intra-articular use only, with warnings against epidural, intrathecal, intravenous, intraocular, intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous administration.
