A maker of pain-relief wearables could earn up to $26.5 million in a distribution rights deal with a major pharmaceutical manufacturer.

GSK Consumer Healthcare, a business unit of GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the London-based maker of drugs and consumer healthcare products ranging from Sensodyne and Aquafresh toothpaste and Breathe Right nasal strips to Nicoderm and Nicorette nicotine replacements, has acquired the distribution rights outside of the U.S. for the Quell line of wearable products for chronic pain management from NeuroMetrix.

Under the terms of a three-year deal, GSK will pay Boston-based NeuroMetrix $5 million upfront for the international distribution and market rights to Quell, while NeuroMetrix retains rights in the U.S.

GSK also will pay NeuroMetrix an additional $21.5 million if certain technology and business development goals are met.

Quell is wearable technology for treating chronic pain that NeuroMetrix says can be worn during the day while active and at night while sleeping. Quell attaches to the user’s calf and electrodes stimulate the wearer’s body to release pain-relieving opiates. Quell’s technology, based on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technology, was approved for use by consumers by the Food and Drug Administration.

In conjunction with using the wearable, Quell users track their pain management levels with an Android or Apple app by monitoring pain, sleep, activity and gait metrics.

“We will continue to focus on building Quell into a leading U.S. consumer healthcare brand while collaborating with GSK on Quell product development and supporting their international commercialization efforts,” says NeuroMetrix CEO Shai Gozani.

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