Pacira BioSciences Announces Investment in Spine BioPharma

-- Supports clinical advancement of lead candidate, Remedisc, for degenerative disc disease --

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX), the industry leader in its commitment to non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, today announced a $3 million investment in Spine BioPharma in the form of a convertible note. The investment will support the advancement of Spine BioPharma’s lead candidate, Remedisc, a first-in-class therapeutic for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Pacira will make an additional $7 million investment predicated upon Spine BioPharma achieving certain prespecified milestones.

“We are excited to support Spine BioPharma as they share our commitment to offering patients non-opioid pain relief. We are particularly interested in this regenerative medicine as it has the potential to address the underlying cause of degenerative disc disease and avoid more invasive procedures or surgical intervention,” said Ron Ellis, DO, senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development at Pacira BioSciences. “Importantly, this investment advances our mission to address unmet needs that improve the patient experience with a diversified portfolio of novel non-opioid and regenerative health solutions along the neural pain pathway.”

Remedisc is a 7-amino acid chain peptide that binds to and induces down regulation of transforming growth factor, beta 1 (TGFβ1), which is often highly expressed in the degenerated discs of patients with lower back pain. Abnormal TGFβ1 signaling is associated with the degradation of extracellular matrix components that maintain the structural integrity of healthy spinal discs. TGFβ1 is also reported to stimulate the expression of nerve growth factor leading to an increase in sensory neurons and discogenic pain. Intradiscal injection of Remedisc in patients with degenerative disc disease was developed as a first-in-class regenerative approach to treating chronic back pain and preventing progression of disc degeneration through TGFβ1 modulation.

Spine BioPharma expects to file an Investigational New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval of a Phase 2/3 multicenter, randomized controlled study of Remedisc later this year.

Perkins Coie LLP is acting as legal advisor to Pacira in connection with the transaction.

About Degenerative Disc Disease
266 million individuals around the world have Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD, and its associated Chronic Low Back Pain each year. DDD of the lumbar, or lower, spine is a significant cause of disability in the world and a tremendous expense to the healthcare system. It is associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, including, weakness, low back pain and disability of varying levels of severity. There is currently no treatment for the underlying cause of DDD and current approaches are aimed at managing pain through a variety of approaches that include physical therapy, chiropractic care, over the counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or prescription opioids. For patients with moderate to severe pain that persists chronically, treatment plans include epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation or surgical intervention. Clinical outcomes vary and often do not provide predictable benefit. Given the substantial costs, pain, and disability associated with DDD, and the current lack of an approved disease-modifying agent, a therapy that could relieve pain and increase function with the potential to mediate the progression of DDD or achieve a regenerative effect could revolutionize the standard of care.