UNITED STATES OF AMERICA —Global healthcare corporation Viatris Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pacira BioSciences, Inc. for 36.50 US dollars per share in cash. The transaction values Pacira at an aggregate equity value of approximately 1.65 billion US dollars. Under the agreement, Viatris will launch a tender offer for all outstanding shares, followed by a second-step merger to acquire remaining shares at the same cash price. Both corporate boards unanimously approved the deal, which is scheduled to close by the end of 2026 subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals, and majority shareholder participation.
Viatris Inc. is a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical manufacturer formed through the combination of Mylan and Upjohn that operates across generic, biosimilar, and branded specialty therapeutics worldwide. Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is a US biopharmaceutical firm specializing in non-opioid pain management therapies and clinical-stage drug development.
The acquisition incorporates Pacira's commercial products EXPAREL, a bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension for acute postsurgical pain, and ZILRETTA, an extended-release injectable suspension for osteoarthritis knee pain. Over the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2026, Pacira generated approximately 746 million US dollars in revenue and 177 million US dollars in adjusted EBITDA. Viatris intends to fund the deal primarily using cash reserves supplemented by short-term debt borrowings, integrating Pacira's commercial infrastructure and intellectual property across its global distribution channels.
This strategic transaction reflects broader pharmaceutical industry efforts to expand non-opioid treatment portfolios in response to regulatory and clinical pressure against traditional opioid analgesics. For healthcare systems, specialty pharma investors, and medical providers, consolidating non-addictive postsurgical and orthopedic pain therapies within Viatris's international distribution network enhances commercial reach, accelerates lifecycle management, and expands non-opioid clinical options across global markets.
