Pacira Biosciences Joins PROBE Consortium to Transform Osteoarthritis Research and Care

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacira Biosciences (NASDAQ: PCRX) joined the PROBE Consortium on Dec. 18, 2025 to help accelerate osteoarthritis (OA) research and care.

Pacira will contribute data from its ASCEND study of investigational gene therapy PCRX-201 and collaborate with 38 partners in an IHI-funded public-private consortium to create a regulation-compliant database, apply AI to predict disease progression, develop multi-modal trial endpoints, and build shared decision-making tools—leveraging data from over 70 million patients across OA cohorts and real-world registries.

Key Figures

Data pool size over 70 million individuals PROBE consortium OA cohorts and registries

Consortium partners 38 partners Members across academia, industry, patients, regulators, health professionals

Market Reality Check

$26.35 Last Close

Volume Volume 883,047 vs 20-day average 798,742 (relative volume 1.11x). normal

Technical Price $26.55 is trading above 200-day MA at $24.37, indicating a pre-news uptrend.

Peers on Argus 2 Up

PCRX was up 1.41% pre-news, while close peers showed mixed, mostly modest moves: AMPH up 1.84%, COLL up 0.62%, AVDL up 0.14%, HROW down 1.73%. Momentum scanner activity (TLRY, CRON) was in other subsectors, supporting a stock-specific read.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 03	Inducement equity grants	Neutral	+0.5%	Small RSU grants to new hires; stock edged up modestly.
Dec 02	Clinical pilot data	Positive	+1.6%	Favorable 12‑month pain and function data for iovera° versus RFA.
Nov 26	Patent litigation	Negative	-1.0%	EXPAREL patent infringement lawsuits against two counterparties.
Nov 11	Conference participation	Positive	+4.5%	Upcoming analyst-led fireside chats at major healthcare conferences.
Nov 10	Activist letter	Positive	+4.5%	Investor letter urging the board to explore a potential sale.

Pattern Detected

Recent PCRX news has generally aligned with price moves, with positive clinical and corporate updates followed by modest gains and litigation news followed by a decline.

Recent Company History

This announcement adds to a series of recent developments for Pacira. On Dec 2, 2025, positive 12‑month pilot data for iovera° in chronic low back pain coincided with a 1.56% gain. Earlier, conference participation news on Nov 11 and an activist-related letter on Nov 10 each saw 4.55% moves. By contrast, EXPAREL patent litigation on Nov 26 was followed by a -1.01% reaction. Today’s OA consortium partnership fits the pattern of strategic and clinical innovation updates that have previously been received constructively.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Pacira’s move to deepen its osteoarthritis strategy by joining the PROBE consortium, which plans to leverage data from over 70 million individuals and involve 38 multi‑stakeholder partners. It complements prior work on non-opioid pain interventions and an investigational OA gene therapy. Investors may watch for how Pacira’s ASCEND study data are incorporated, the emergence of new trial endpoints, and any follow-on updates that translate this collaboration into concrete clinical or commercial milestones.

Key Terms

gene therapy medical

"our investigational targeted gene therapy, PCRX-201, for the treatment of osteoarthritis"

Gene therapy is a medical technique that involves altering or replacing faulty genes in a person's cells to treat or prevent disease. It is considered a promising area of innovation because it has the potential to provide long-term or even permanent solutions to genetic conditions. For investors, advancements in gene therapy can signal opportunities in biotech companies and emerging treatments with significant growth potential.

extended-release injectable suspension medical

"ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) in the U.S."

A medication formulation given by injection that slowly releases its active ingredient into the body over an extended period, so patients receive therapeutic levels without frequent dosing. Like a slow-drip coffee maker that pours a little at a time instead of one big pour, it can improve patient convenience and adherence, create distinct product value, and carry different manufacturing, regulatory and pricing implications that matter to investors evaluating market potential and risks.

real-world registries medical

"diverse OA cohorts and real-world registries, PROBE aims to address major"

Real-world registries are organized databases that collect information about patients and treatments during routine medical care, like a continuously updated record of how a product performs outside controlled trials. For investors, they matter because they reveal real-life safety, effectiveness, usage trends and market uptake over time—similar to how customer reviews and sales logs show whether a product is meeting expectations and driving sustained demand.

ai models technical

"Using AI models to predict disease progression and support personalized"

AI models are computer programs that learn patterns from large amounts of data to make predictions, sort information, or carry out tasks without explicit step-by-step instructions. For investors, they matter because these models can boost productivity, improve forecasting, automate decisions and cut costs — like hiring a highly skilled analyst who works nonstop — but they also introduce risks such as errors, hidden biases and regulatory or competitive impacts.

personalized medicine medical

"AI models to predict disease progression and support personalized medicine."

Personalized medicine customizes diagnosis and treatment based on a person’s unique biology, genetics, environment and lifestyle—like a tailored suit instead of off-the-rack clothing. It matters to investors because these targeted approaches can make therapies more effective and command higher prices, reshape development and regulatory risk, concentrate revenue in smaller patient groups, and affect reimbursement and long-term profitability.

multi-modal trial endpoints medical

"Developing novel multi-modal trial endpoints for better treatment evaluation."

Multi-modal trial endpoints are combined measures in a clinical study that use different kinds of data—such as patient symptoms, lab tests, imaging, and wearable-sensor readings—to judge whether a treatment works. Think of it like checking several gauges on a car dashboard instead of just one speedometer: investors watch these endpoints because they can give a fuller, more reliable picture of benefit or harm, influence regulatory decisions, and affect a drug’s commercial prospects and risk profile.

shared decision-making medical

"Providing tools for shared decision-making between patients and healthcare"

A collaborative process in healthcare where clinicians and patients share information, discuss options, and agree on a treatment plan that reflects the patient’s values and circumstances. For investors, it matters because decisions shaped by this dialogue can change how often treatments are used, affect adherence and outcomes, and influence payer coverage and regulatory expectations—much like a joint decision at a family meeting steering where time and money get spent.

big data technical

"Patient Relevant Osteoarthritis endpoints using Big data Evaluation) Consortium"

Extremely large and fast-growing collections of information from many sources—like transaction records, sensors, customer interactions and online activity—that are too big or messy for traditional spreadsheets. Investors care because analyzing this volume of data can reveal hidden trends, customer behavior, cost savings and risks faster than before, helping companies make better decisions, target growth, cut waste and gain an edge over competitors.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

--Public-private partnership aims to improve osteoarthritis research, diagnosis and treatment--
--PROBE will leverage data from over 70 million individuals across multiple OA cohorts and real-world registries--

BRISBANE, Calif., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacira Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCRX), the industry leader in the delivery of innovative, non-opioid pain therapies to transform the lives of patients, today announced it has joined the PROBE (Patient Relevant Osteoarthritis endpoints using Big data Evaluation) Consortium, a pioneering initiative to revolutionize osteoarthritis (OA) research and improve patient care and outcomes on a global scale.

“Despite its prevalence, there continues to be significant unmet need in the treatment of OA due to the lack of innovation in therapeutic advancements since the launch of ZILRETTA^® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) in the U.S.,” said Frank D. Lee. “We are committed to advancing research and addressing the pressing needs of OA patients worldwide. As part of this commitment, we are proud to build on our established leadership by contributing valuable data to the PROBE initiative including findings from our ASCEND study, which is evaluating our investigational targeted gene therapy, PCRX-201, for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Pacira is among a select group of U.S.-based companies to join the European Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)-funded public-private consortium, which brings together 38 partners from academia, industry, patient organizations, regulatory agencies, and health professionals with the goal of transforming the diagnosis and treatment of OA through the following initiatives:

• Creating a regulation-compliant database network to analyze unidentified patient data from multiple OA cohorts and registries.
• Using AI models to predict disease progression and support personalized medicine.
• Developing novel multi-modal trial endpoints for better treatment evaluation.
• Providing tools for shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers.

With this approach, which will leverage data from over 70 million patients across diverse OA cohorts and real-world registries, PROBE aims to address major limitations in OA research and clinical care, including disease heterogeneity, fragmented datasets, and outdated trial designs.

About Pacira
Pacira delivers innovative, non-opioid pain therapies to transform the lives of patients. Pacira has three commercial-stage non-opioid treatments: EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), a long-acting local analgesic currently approved for infiltration, fascial plane block, and as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, an adductor canal nerve block, and a sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa for postsurgical pain management; ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), an extended-release, intra-articular injection indicated for the management of osteoarthritis knee pain; and iovera®º, a novel, handheld device for delivering immediate, long-acting, drug-free pain control using precise, controlled doses of cold temperature to a targeted nerve. The company is also advancing the development of PCRX-201 (enekinragene inzadenovec), a novel locally administered gene therapy with the potential to treat large prevalent diseases like osteoarthritis. To learn more about Pacira, visit www.pacira.com.

About ZILRETTA^® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension)
On October 6, 2017, ZILRETTA was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first and only extended-release intra-articular therapy for patients confronting osteoarthritis (OA)- related knee pain. ZILRETTA employs proprietary microsphere technology combining triamcinolone acetonide—a commonly administered, short-acting corticosteroid—with a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) matrix to provide extended pain relief. The pivotal Phase 3 trial on which the approval of ZILRETTA was based showed that ZILRETTA significantly reduced OA knee pain for 12 weeks, with some people experiencing pain relief through Week 16. Learn more at www.zilretta.com.

Indication and Select Important Safety Information for ZILRETTA

Indication: ZILRETTA is indicated as an intra-articular injection for the management of OA pain of the knee. Limitation of Use: The efficacy and safety of repeat administration of ZILRETTA have not been demonstrated.

Contraindication: ZILRETTA is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to triamcinolone acetonide, corticosteroids or any components of the product.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Intra-articular Use Only: ZILRETTA has not been evaluated and should not be administered by epidural, intrathecal, intravenous, intraocular, intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous routes. ZILRETTA should not be considered safe for epidural or intrathecal administration.
  
• Serious Neurologic Adverse Reactions with Epidural and Intrathecal Administration: Serious neurologic events have been reported following epidural or intrathecal corticosteroid administration. Corticosteroids are not approved for this use.
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Serious reactions have been reported with triamcinolone acetonide injection. Institute appropriate care if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.
• Joint infection and damage: A marked increase in joint pain, joint swelling, restricted motion, fever and malaise may suggest septic arthritis. If this occurs, conduct appropriate evaluation and if confirmed, institute appropriate antimicrobial treatment.

Adverse Reactions: The most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥1%) in clinical studies included sinusitis, cough, and contusions.

Please see ZILRETTALabel.com for full Prescribing Information.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Pacira’s future expectations, plans, trends, outlook, projections and prospects, and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements related to: '5x30', our growth and business strategy, our future outlook, the strength and efficacy of our intellectual property protection and patent terms, our future growth potential and future financial and operating results and trends, our plans, objectives, expectations (financial or otherwise) and intentions, including our plans with respect to the repayment of our indebtedness, anticipated product portfolio and product development programs, strategic alliances, plans with respect to the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (“NOPAIN”) Act, the expected cost savings and benefits of a July 2025 reduction in force and any other statements that are not historical facts. For this purpose, any statement that is not a statement of historical fact should be considered a forward-looking statement. We cannot assure you that our estimates, assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results may differ materially from these indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks relating to, among others: the failure to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies from the acquisition of GQ Bio Therapeutics GmbH; risks associated with acquisitions, such as the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully, that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected or that the expected benefits of the transaction will not occur; our manufacturing and supply chain, global and United States economic conditions (including tariffs, inflation and rising interest rates), and our business, including our revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations; the success of our sales and manufacturing efforts in support of the commercialization of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the rate and degree of market acceptance of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the size and growth of the potential markets for EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera° and our ability to serve those markets; our plans to expand the use of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera° to additional indications and opportunities, and the timing and success of any related clinical trials for EXPAREL, ZILRETTA, iovera° and any of our other product candidates, including PCRX-201; the commercial success of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the related timing and success of United States Food and Drug Administration supplemental New Drug Applications and premarket notification 510(k)s; the related timing and success of European Medicines Agency Marketing Authorization Applications; our plans to evaluate, develop and pursue additional product candidates utilizing our proprietary multivesicular liposome (“pMVL”) drug delivery technology; the approval of the commercialization of our products in other jurisdictions; clinical trials in support of an existing or potential pMVL-based product; our commercialization and marketing capabilities; our ability to successfully complete capital projects; the outcome of any litigation; the recoverability of our deferred tax assets; assumptions associated with contingent consideration payments; assumptions used for estimated future cash flows associated with determining the fair value of the Company and the anticipated funding or benefits of our share repurchase program. and factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings that we periodically make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements, and as such we anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Investor Contact:
Susan Mesco, (973) 451-4030
susan.mesco@pacira.com                

Media Contact:
Kim Hamilton, (908) 391-0131
kim.hamilton@pacira.com

FAQ

What did Pacira (PCRX) announce about osteoarthritis research on December 18, 2025?

Pacira announced it joined the PROBE Consortium to contribute ASCEND study data and collaborate on OA research and care improvements.

How will Pacira's participation in PROBE affect the ASCEND study and PCRX-201 development?

Pacira will contribute ASCEND study findings for pooled analysis, which could inform trial endpoint development and disease progression models.

What is the scope of the PROBE Consortium data that Pacira will help leverage?

PROBE will leverage deidentified data from over 70 million individuals across multiple OA cohorts and real-world registries.

What specific initiatives will Pacira support within the PROBE Consortium?

Pacira will support building a regulation-compliant database, using AI for progression prediction, developing multi-modal endpoints, and shared decision-making tools.

Who funds the PROBE Consortium that Pacira joined?

The PROBE Consortium is funded by the European Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) as a public-private partnership.

Does Pacira’s announcement include clinical results or regulatory approvals for PCRX-201?

No—Pacira said it will contribute ASCEND study data; the announcement does not report trial results or regulatory approvals.