Pacira Partners With Molteni to Expand EXPAREL in Europe

Pacira BioSciences has entered into a strategic partnership with Molteni Farmaceutici to expand access to non-opioid postsurgical pain treatment across several European markets.

Under the agreement, Molteni Farmaceutici will receive exclusive rights to distribute and commercialize EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) in the licensed territories. EXPAREL is a long-acting local anesthetic used to manage pain following surgery.

The partnership is part of Pacira’s broader growth strategy and aims to increase the availability of opioid-sparing pain management options for patients across Europe. Opioid-sparing approaches can help reduce the need for opioid medicines following surgery while still providing effective pain relief.

Pacira will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, a supply price and royalties on future sales of EXPAREL in the licensed markets. The company will continue to manufacture the product, while Molteni Farmaceutici will handle regulatory activities, market access and commercialization.

Molteni plans to launch EXPAREL in stages, starting with Italy, Germany, Austria and Poland. The company also plans to seek regulatory approval in Switzerland. The first commercial launch is expected in 2027.

Frank D. Lee, CEO of Pacira BioSciences, said Molteni’s experience in pain management and its established distribution network across Europe make it a strong partner for expanding access to EXPAREL.

Gianluca Corbinelli, CEO of Molteni Farmaceutici, said the agreement supports the company’s international expansion strategy while adding a differentiated medicine to its portfolio.

Postsurgical pain remains an important area of healthcare, with clinicians increasingly looking for treatment options that can reduce reliance on opioids. EXPAREL is designed to provide long-lasting local pain relief and may support opioid-sparing pain management following surgery.

The collaboration combines Pacira’s expertise in non-opioid pain therapies with Molteni’s commercial and regulatory capabilities in European markets. The companies expect the partnership to help bring EXPAREL to more patients and healthcare providers across the region.