M&A / Property
PharmaTher Closes Sale of Ketamine ANDA, Sharpening Focus on Long-Acting Injectable Ketamine Franchise

PHRM · Price
Executive Summary
- PharmaTher closed the sale of its ANDA for Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection USP, receiving a confidential upfront cash payment and securing rights to future milestone and profit‑sharing payments that could exceed US $25 million.
- The transaction allows PharmaTher to focus exclusively on its long‑acting injectable (LAI) ketamine program under an exclusive evaluation and option‑to‑license agreement with Oakwood Laboratories.
- Management outlined a catalyst‑rich near‑term plan, including CMC development, regulatory strategy refinement, FDA interactions, and pursuit of additional partnering or non‑dilutive financing.
Key Details
- Transaction: Sale of ANDA #217858 for Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection USP to an undisclosed sterile‑injectables pharmaceutical company.
- Consideration: Confidential upfront cash payment; eligibility for additional milestone payments tied to cumulative sales thresholds and profit‑sharing for seven years post‑first commercial sale.
- Potential Upside: Total prospective consideration could exceed US $25 million, contingent on commercial performance of the sold product.
- Strategic Impact: Converts a legacy generic asset into non‑dilutive capital, enabling full focus on LAI ketamine franchise targeting neuropsychiatric disorders (TRD, MDD, Parkinson’s disease).
- Oakwood Agreement: Exclusive evaluation and option‑to‑license arrangement for Oakwood’s microsphere‑based sustained‑release technology to develop the LAI program.
- Regulatory Pathway: Planned 505(b)(2) submission with emphasis on high‑value neuropsychiatric indications.
- Near‑Term Milestones (next ~6 months):
- Advance formulation and CMC activities with Oakwood for clinical‑grade supply.
- Refine 505(b)(2) regulatory strategy and clinical development plan.
- Prepare for FDA pre‑IND discussions and other formal interactions.
- Identify additional neuropsychiatric indications for LAI ketamine.
- Evaluate strategic partnering and non‑dilutive financing opportunities.
Notable Quotes
- “Closing the ANDA sale marks the start of PharmaTher's next chapter… we have converted a legacy generic asset into non‑dilutive capital and long‑term upside.” – Fabio Chianelli, Chairman & CEO
- “We believe long‑acting ketamine is the natural evolution of today's ketamine treatment model…” – Fabio Chianelli, Chairman & CEO
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May 27, 2026 · 08:01