Catalyzes the condensation of pantoate with beta-alanine to form pantothenate. Essential for panthotenate biosynthesis (Probable). (R)-pantoate + ATP + beta-alanine = (R)-pantothenate + AMP + diphosphate + H(+) Cofactor biosynthesis; (R)-pantothenate biosynthesis; (R)-pantothenate from (R)-pantoate and beta-alanine: step 1/1. Homodimer. Belongs to the pantothenate synthetase family. Sequencing errors.