Viatris to Acquire Pacira BioSciences for $1.65 Billion in All-Cash Deal to Lead Non-Opioid Pain Market

Viatris agreed on October 8, 2026 to acquire Pacira BioSciences for $36.50 per share in cash, valuing the deal at $1.65 billion in aggregate equity value. The offer sent Pacira shares up roughly 44% in premarket trading. Viatris, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is buying the Brisbane, California-based company to establish itself as a leader in non-opioid pain therapies.

The acquisition adds two established, patent-protected, high-margin products to Viatris's portfolio: EXPAREL, a bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension, and ZILRETTA, a triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension. Pacira generated approximately $746 million in total revenue and roughly $177 million in adjusted EBITDA over the twelve months ended June 30, 2026.

Viatris plans to expand both products internationally through its existing infrastructure and expects synergies with its own fast-acting meloxicam pipeline opportunity. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026 and to be immediately accretive to Viatris's financial guidance metrics, while the company says the transaction preserves its financial flexibility and fits within its disciplined capital allocation strategy.