Pacira (PCRX) reported a solid start to 2025, highlighting the introduction of its "five by 30" strategy focused on accelerating commercial growth and advancing an innovative pipeline, including the PCRX-201 gene therapy candidate.
The company settled its EXPAREL patent litigation, securing exclusivity until 2039, expanded its patent estate, and eliminated RDF royalty obligations, which will benefit EXPAREL gross margins by a low single-digit percentage.
First quarter EXPAREL sales grew to $136.5M (up ~7% YoY on an average daily basis), ZILRETTA sales declined due to sales force restructuring, and ioverao sales were slightly up; consolidated non-GAAP gross margin improved to 81% from 72% last year.
Pacira reiterated full-year 2025 guidance: total revenue of $725M–$765M, non-GAAP gross margin of 76–78%, non-GAAP R&D expense of $90M–$105M, non-GAAP SG&A expense of $290M–$320M, and a new $300M share repurchase program running through 2026.
The company is seeing early positive indicators from the "no pain" reimbursement pathway for EXPAREL, expects broader adoption and more meaningful growth in the second half of 2025, and continues to advance its PCRX-201 Phase II ASCEND study with top-line data expected late next year.