In its latest promotional push, IBSA is hitching its wagon to the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
The stateside outpost of the Swiss pharma has teamed up with professional pickleball player James Ignatowich to help promote its Licart pain patch.
Ignatowich will sport the Licart logo on his clothing during Professional Pickleball Association Tour events throughout the 2024 season, according to IBSA USA’s announcement this week, and he’ll also act as the brand’s spokesperson on social media and at Major League Pickleball events. Meanwhile, the company will serve as a sponsor for Ignatowich’s pickleball clinics.
“As an athlete, I understand firsthand the critical role acute pain management plays in optimizing performance on the court,” Ignatowich said in a statement. “After intense matches or training sessions, pickleball players may experience muscle soreness. Proper pain management techniques, such as using topical patches like Licart, can aid in acute pain recovery from sprains and strains.”
Licart, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) patch, is approved by the FDA for topical treatment of acute pain caused by minor strains, sprains and contusions. According to its maker, the once-daily patch provides pain relief for a full 24 hours, with the treatment kicking in within the first one to three hours of the first application.
The prescription-only patches come in boxes of 15, and each patch is meant to be placed directly on the skin over the area of pain.
IBSA previously turned to professional golfer James Hahn in 2022 to help promote Licart—and tapped another golfer, the LPGA’s Azahara Muñoz, to help push Tirosint-SOL—but now appears to be shifting gears to take advantage of a different sport’s rapidly rising profile.
“As the popularity of pickleball continues to soar, so does the incidence of injuries, particularly muscle-related issues, prompting a need for effective pain management solutions,” Michael Scully, head of commercial operations for IBSA USA, said in the announcement. “Licart, with its low systemic exposure and minimal incidence of adverse events, aligns perfectly with the needs of the pickleball community, providing them with a reliable option for managing acute pain effectively.”