Allergan

Allergan, formerly known as Actavis, is a global pharmaceutical company now operating as part of AbbVie Inc. Its roots lie in Watson Pharmaceuticals, founded in 1984, which became Actavis after acquiring the Iceland-based Actavis Group in 2012. Actavis expanded rapidly through high-profile acquisitions, including Warner Chilcott in 2013 and Forest Laboratories in 2014, bolstering its presence in gastroenterology, urology, and women's health.

In 2015, Actavis acquired Allergan Inc.—renowned for its leadership in medical aesthetics and neuroscience, particularly the Botox brand—and adopted the Allergan name to reflect its new strategic focus. This marked a significant pivot from generics to branded pharmaceuticals, with concentrated efforts in eye care, dermatology, and central nervous system disorders.

In 2016, Allergan divested its generics business, including the Actavis label, to Teva Pharmaceuticals for $40.5 billion. This transaction allowed Allergan to shift fully toward branded drug innovation and higher-margin therapies. The company focused on advancing treatments for migraines (such as Ubrelvy), depression, and ophthalmology.

AbbVie completed its $63 billion acquisition of Allergan in 2020, absorbing its diverse portfolio and R&D pipeline. This move significantly expanded AbbVie's reach in aesthetic medicine, neuroscience, and eye care, complementing its existing leadership in immunology and oncology. Today, Allergan continues to operate under the AbbVie umbrella, contributing to the development of innovative therapies and global market expansion.

Keywords: Allergan, Actavis, AbbVie, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Botox, medical aesthetics, neuroscience, eye care, gastroenterology, branded pharmaceuticals, drug development, AbbVie acquisition, Forest Laboratories, Warner Chilcott, Ubrelvy, Teva Pharmaceuticals, generics divestiture