Viatris (Nasdaq: VTRS) announced an agreement to acquire Pacira BioSciences (Nasdaq: PCRX) for USD 1.65 billion in cash, expanding its innovative medicines portfolio in non-opioid pain management. The USD 36.50-per-share offer represents a 44.8% premium to Pacira's previous closing price, with the transaction expected to close by the end of 2026.
The acquisition adds two marketed medicines: Exparel (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), a long-acting local analgesic for postsurgical pain, and Zilretta (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), a treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain. The products generated combined sales of approximately USD 692 million in 2025. Viatris plans to leverage its international commercial infrastructure to expand their reach, with the acquisition complementing its fast-acting meloxicam program, which faces a US FDA decision in December 2026.
Pacira also brings enekinragene inzadenovec (PCRX-201), an investigational, locally administered gene therapy in Phase II development for knee osteoarthritis. Topline results from the Phase II ASCEND trial are expected by the end of 2026. The program offers Viatris an additional development-stage opportunity alongside the acquired commercial products.