Viatris to buy Pacira BioSciences for $1.65 billion

· Health · United States

Viatris, a generics and branded medicines maker, has agreed to acquire commercial-stage Pacira BioSciences in an all-cash deal valued at $1.65 billion, according to the two companies' Thursday announcement. The acquisition adds two non-opioid pain treatments to Viatris' portfolio; those products booked nearly $700 million in 2025 sales but could soon lose patent protection. Viatris said it will lean on its "intellectual property expertise" to sustain sales of the products. The transaction continues a recent run of dealmaking in pain management and gives Viatris a larger position in a therapeutic area that has drawn fresh interest as companies look for alternatives to opioids amid the ongoing addiction crisis.

Why it matters：Consolidation in non-opioid pain treatments signals where pharma sees durable demand as regulators and clinicians push away from opioids, and shows how generic-heavy companies are buying commercial assets whose patents are nearing expiry.

Key points

  • The deal is valued at $1.65 billion in cash, with one report putting it at $1.7 billion.
  • Pacira's two non-opioid pain drugs booked nearly $700 million in 2025 sales.
  • Viatris plans to use its intellectual property expertise to offset looming patent losses.

Sources (original reporting)

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