Allergan Inc. Investing in Pain Relief

Allergan Inc. said Monday that it has entered into a license agreement with the Centre for Applied Microbiology & Research in England to develop novel pain relief applications for the neurotoxin Botox.

The move reflects Allergan’s continuing efforts to invest in research and development and become a specialty pharmaceutical company, backing away from its better-known role as producer of eye-care products.

Under the agreement, Allergan will provide up to $30.1 million to fund joint research at the center.

The research will focus on producing a variant of Allergan’s Botox to target pain-sensing nerves, said Lester J. Kaplan, president of research and development at Allergan. Possible applications would include chronic pain from cancer and lower back pain, he said.

Allergan has exclusive rights to commercial applications resulting from the collaboration, and the center would receive royalties on sales.