AmacaThera has been named Emerging Company of the Year by Life Sciences Ontario, recognising the company’s recent milestones in advancing its hydrogel-based drug delivery technology and its licensing agreement with Pacira BioSciences for AMT‑143, an investigational long‑acting, non-opioid anesthetic for post-operative pain management. The award highlights the company’s progress from early-stage biotech into a contributor within the life sciences sector.

The Life Sciences Ontario Annual Awards celebrate achievements within Ontario’s life sciences community and honour organisations making significant contributions to patient-focused innovation. The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for May 13 at the Automotive Building in Exhibition Place, Toronto.

AmacaThera and Pacira BioSciences have partnered to advance AMT‑143 into Phase 2 clinical development in 2026. The investigational therapy is designed to provide extended, localized pain relief while reducing reliance on opioids. The collaboration reflects a growing trend of biotechs working with partners to progress early-stage therapeutics efficiently.

Mike Cooke, chief executive officer of AmacaThera, said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition from Life Sciences Ontario. It reflects the strength of our scientific work and the relevance of our hydrogel-based drug delivery solutions. Our team’s expertise and dedication have been instrumental in progressing our programs toward clinical evaluation.”

Molly Shoichet, chief scientific officer of AmacaThera, added: “Our platform is adaptable across multiple therapeutics and supports development of therapies with improved patient outcomes. Partnerships like the one with Pacira, alongside this award, validate our approach and motivate us to continue translating our innovations into tangible benefits for patients.”

AmacaThera’s proprietary hydrogel platform transitions from liquid to gel at body temperature, enabling controlled, localized, and sustained release of therapeutic agents, from small molecules to biologics. The technology is scalable and designed to enhance efficacy while reducing systemic exposure, positioning it as a versatile tool in drug delivery research.