Plays a role in the physiological regulation of the intracellular CoA concentration. (R)-pantothenate + ATP = (R)-4'-phosphopantothenate + ADP + H(+) Regulated by feedback inhibition by malonyl-CoA. Cofactor biosynthesis; coenzyme A biosynthesis; CoA from (R)-pantothenate: step 1/5. Belongs to the type II pantothenate kinase family.