Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

5 Sylvan Way, Suite 125

Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

January 28, 2011

VIA EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

Attention: Laura Crotty

 

Re:

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-1

File No. 333-170245

Request for Acceleration

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Registrant”) hereby requests acceleration of the effective date of its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-170245) as amended (the “Registration Statement”), so that it may become effective at 4:30 PM (EST) on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 or as soon thereafter as practicable.

The Registrant hereby acknowledges that:

 

(i)

should the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, declare the Registration Statement effective, it does not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the Registration Statement;

 

(ii)

the action of the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, in declaring the Registration Statement effective, does not relieve the Registrant from its full responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the Registration Statement; and

 

(iii)

the Registrant may not assert the action of the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, in declaring the Registration Statement effective as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

---

 

 

-2-