Viatris to acquire Pacira BioSciences for $1.65 billion to expand non‑opioid pain portfolio

Viatris announced a $1.65 billion acquisition of Pacira BioSciences, aiming to broaden its non‑opioid pain‑relief offerings. The deal includes Pacira's marketed products Exparel and Zilretta, which together generated roughly $708 million in recent sales.

Exparel, an injectable bupivacaine formulation approved in 2011, is used for post‑surgical pain, while Zilretta, a corticosteroid injection launched in 2017, treats knee osteoarthritis pain. Along with the drugs, Viatris will take on Pacira's 340‑person commercial team.

The acquisition is intended to accelerate Viatris' efforts to build a dedicated non‑opioid pain franchise while it awaits FDA approval for its own novel non‑opioid therapy. Analysts described the transaction as strategically sound and fairly priced, viewing it as a positive step for both companies.