Astra Pain Control

Astra Pain Control was a specialized subsidiary of the Swedish pharmaceutical company Astra AB, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of local and regional anesthetics. The company achieved global prominence through the development of Xylocaine (lidocaine), which became the world's most widely used local anesthetic and established Astra as a leader in the pain management sector. Following the 1999 merger of Astra and Zeneca to form AstraZeneca, the division's operations were integrated into the larger group's anesthesia and pain control portfolio. In 2016 and 2017, AstraZeneca divested the heritage local anesthetics portfolio, including iconic brands like Marcaine, Naropin, and Xylocaine, to Aspen Pharmacare.