Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Nuance Biotech Co. Ltd have entered into an agreement with Nuance, a China based specialty pharmaceutical company, to advance the development and commercialization of EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) in China. EXPAREL is a non-opioid option for achieving long-lasting pain control after surgery via infiltration into the surgical site or administration as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pacira has granted Nuance the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize EXPAREL in China. The companies will establish a joint steering committee to review all development and commercialization plans for EXPAREL in China.

Pacira will receive an upfront payment of $3 million and is eligible to receive future milestone payments of up to $55 million that are triggered by filing for and securing regulatory approval(s) and annual sales exceeding certain levels. Pacira is also entitled to tiered royalties as a percentage of net sales. Nuance intends to file a Clinical Trial Application with the China Food and Drug Administration later this year and begin clinical studies in China as soon as possible thereafter.