Actavis
Corporate brand
UnclaimedActavis was a global pharmaceutical company and brand focused on generic, branded, specialty, over-the-counter and biologic medicines before its corporate identity was absorbed into Allergan.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Actavis was the international pharmaceutical identity used by a large generic and specialty-medicines business that developed through organic growth, acquisitions and corporate renaming. Its roots date to 1983, when Allen Chao and David Hsia established a small drug-development enterprise in the United States. The company initially operated as Watson Pharmaceuticals, developing and manufacturing generic medicines from facilities in Illinois and California. It later expanded its portfolio and geographic reach through acquisitions, including Schein Pharmaceutical, Andrx Corporation and the Arrow Group. Watson became a publicly traded company in 1993 and moved its listing from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange in 1997. The acquisition of the Switzerland-based Actavis Group in 2012 marked a major change in corporate identity. Watson adopted the Actavis name for its global operations, creating one of the world's largest generic-drug businesses, with a significant presence in North America, Europe, Australia and emerging markets. The enlarged company combined generic medicines with specialty pharmaceuticals, branded generics, over-the-counter products and selected biologic development programs. The company continued its acquisition-led expansion. In 2013 it acquired Warner Chilcott, strengthening its positions in women's health, urology, gastroenterology and dermatology and relocating its corporate headquarters to Ireland while retaining operational headquarters in New Jersey. In 2014 it acquired Forest Laboratories in a cash-and-equity transaction, adding branded medicines and products in areas such as central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal care. Brent Saunders became chief executive and president after the Forest transaction, while Paul Bisaro became executive chairman. In 2015 Actavis completed its acquisition of Allergan, the maker of Botox and other branded medicines. The transaction created a diversified pharmaceutical group with commercial operations spanning roughly 100 countries. In June of that year, Actavis plc changed its name to Allergan plc. The Actavis name continued for certain generic operations, particularly in the United States and Canada, but Actavis ceased to exist as an independent publicly listed corporate identity. Allergan subsequently agreed to sell its generics division, including Anda, to Teva Pharmaceuticals. As a result, Actavis is best understood as a historical pharmaceutical company and operating brand whose businesses and product registrations were later distributed across Allergan and other owners.
History
Actavis originated in 1983, when Allen Chao and David Hsia used private funding to establish a small pharmaceutical development business in the United States. The founders opened an initial laboratory in Libertyville, Illinois, with six employees, then moved the business to Corona, California. The Corona facility became the base for the development and manufacture of generic medicines. The company operated for many years as Watson Pharmaceuticals. Its growth combined internal product development with acquisitions. In 1993 Watson completed an initial public offering and listed on NASDAQ under WATS. It transferred its listing to the New York Stock Exchange in 1997 under WPI. In 2000, the acquisition of Schein Pharmaceutical more than doubled the company's size, and Watson reported annual revenue above one billion dollars. The 2006 acquisition of Andrx expanded its specialty-pharmaceutical activities and made Watson one of the largest companies in the sector by prescriptions dispensed. Allen Chao retired as president and chief executive officer in 2007 and was succeeded by Paul Bisaro. Watson's international expansion accelerated in 2009 with the purchase of the Arrow Group, giving it commercial operations in more than 20 international markets and adding Eden Biodesign, a biopharmaceutical development organization in the United Kingdom. In 2011 the corporate headquarters moved from Corona to Parsippany, New Jersey. A decisive transformation occurred in November 2012, when Watson acquired Actavis Group for approximately €4.25 billion. The deal created a major global generic-drug company with established positions in the United States, United Kingdom, Nordic markets, Canada, Australia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia. Watson adopted the Actavis name, making it the principal identity of the combined business. In 2013 Actavis acquired Warner Chilcott in a stock transaction. The combination strengthened its specialty portfolio and therapeutic franchises in women's health, urology, gastroenterology and dermatology. The company relocated its corporate headquarters to Ireland while maintaining administrative and operating functions in New Jersey. In 2014 it acquired Forest Laboratories in a transaction valued at approximately $25 billion, adding branded medicines and products in neuroscience, eye care, cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal care. Paul Bisaro became executive chairman and Brent Saunders became chief executive and president. Actavis announced its planned acquisition of Allergan in 2014 and completed the transaction in March 2015. The combination brought together Actavis's generic and specialty pharmaceutical operations with Allergan's branded medicines, including Botox. In June 2015, Actavis plc changed its legal name to Allergan plc. The Actavis name remained in use for some generic operations, especially in the United States and Canada, but the independent Actavis corporate identity ended. The post-merger business later announced the sale of its generics division, including Anda, to Teva Pharmaceuticals. Actavis therefore represents both a historical corporate lineage and a commercial brand that appeared on medicines, regulatory records and operating businesses in different markets. Its former activities included more than 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities, a large generic out-licensing business known as Medis, and research and development in conventional medicines, biologics and biosimilars.
- 2022
UK hydrocortisone pricing findings confirmed
[1]The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed findings concerning excessive pricing and agreements restricting competition in the hydrocortisone-tablet market.
- 2015
Allergan acquisition completed
[1]Actavis completed the acquisition of Allergan and created a diversified global pharmaceutical group.
- 2015
Corporate name changed to Allergan
[1]Actavis plc changed its name to Allergan plc, ending Actavis's independent listed-company identity.
- 2014
Forest Laboratories acquired
[1]The Forest acquisition broadened Actavis's branded and specialty pharmaceutical portfolio.
- 2013
Warner Chilcott acquired
[1]Actavis acquired Warner Chilcott, expanding specialty medicines and relocating its corporate headquarters to Ireland.
- 2012
Actavis Group acquired
[1]Watson acquired Actavis Group and adopted Actavis as its global operating name.
- 2011
Headquarters moved to New Jersey
[1]Watson moved its corporate headquarters from Corona, California, to Parsippany, New Jersey.
- 2009
Arrow Group acquisition
[1]The Arrow acquisition gave Watson a commercial presence in more than 20 international markets and added Eden Biodesign.
- 2006
Andrx acquisition
[1]Watson acquired Andrx Corporation and expanded its specialty-pharmaceutical operations.
- 2000
Schein Pharmaceutical acquisition
[1]Watson acquired Schein Pharmaceutical, substantially increasing the scale of the business.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Global supplier of generic, branded, specialty and selected biologic medicines, combining broad manufacturing and distribution capacity with acquisition-led expansion in high-value therapeutic categories.
Generic pharmaceuticals
Generic medicines
Generic medicines formed the foundation of Actavis's business. The portfolio covered numerous therapeutic areas and dosage forms, including solid oral products, modified-release medicines, liquids, injectables, transdermal products and semi-solids. Availability varied by market according to regulatory approvals, licensing arrangements and later corporate ownership.
Specialty pharmaceuticals
Specialty pharmaceuticals
Actavis developed and marketed specialty medicines for areas including women's health, urology, gastroenterology, dermatology, neuroscience, eye care and cardiovascular disease. The specialty portfolio grew particularly through the Warner Chilcott and Forest Laboratories acquisitions and was later integrated into Allergan.
Branded medicines
Branded pharmaceutical franchises
The broader Actavis organization marketed branded products including Botox, Namenda, Restasis, Linzess, Bystolic, Juvederm, Latisse, Estrace, Teflaro, Dalvance, Ozurdex, Viibryd and Saphris. These products reflected the company's post-acquisition shift beyond commodity generics into higher-value branded and specialty therapies.
Pharmaceutical licensing
Medis generic out-licensing
Medis operated as Actavis's third-party generic out-licensing business outside the United States. It supplied products and licensing opportunities to international customers and supported the company's presence in markets where Actavis did not directly commercialize every medicine.
Biologics and biosimilars
Biosimilars pipeline
Actavis maintained development programs in biosimilars, including candidates in oncology and other therapeutic categories. These programs were part of the company's effort to extend its generic-drug capabilities into complex biologic products.
Cough medicine
Promethazine with codeine cough syrup
Actavis manufactured a promethazine-and-codeine cough syrup that became widely recognized in popular culture and associated with recreational misuse. The company discontinued production of this product in 2014, although it continued to manufacture other cough medicines.
Controversies
2022
UK hydrocortisone tablet pricing case
The UK Competition and Markets Authority confirmed findings that Actavis had abused a dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices for hydrocortisone tablets and by entering agreements that impeded potential competition. The findings concerned the supply of medicines to the National Health Service and covered conduct associated with substantial price increases over the preceding years.
Brand decisions
2015
Acquire AllerganM&ABackground
Actavis sought to combine its generic and specialty platform with Allergan's branded pharmaceutical and aesthetics portfolio.
Action taken
Actavis completed the acquisition of Allergan in a cash-and-equity transaction and subsequently changed its corporate name to Allergan plc.
Aftermath
The independent Actavis listed-company identity ended. Certain generic operations retained Actavis branding, while the combined group operated as Allergan.
Transaction value. Approximately $70.5 billion (2015)
2015
Sell generics division to TevaM&ABackground
Following the Allergan combination, the group pursued portfolio separation and agreed to divest its generic-drug division.
Action taken
Allergan announced the proposed sale of its generics division, including Anda, to Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Aftermath
The proposed transaction shifted much of the former Actavis generic business toward Teva ownership and reduced the role of Actavis within the Allergan group.
Announced transaction value. $40.5 billion (2015)
2014
Acquire Forest LaboratoriesM&ABackground
Actavis pursued a larger branded and specialty portfolio and greater exposure to neuroscience, cardiovascular, eye-care and gastrointestinal medicines.
Action taken
Actavis completed the acquisition of Forest Laboratories in a cash-and-equity transaction.
Aftermath
The combination broadened the portfolio and led to the appointment of Brent Saunders as chief executive and Paul Bisaro as executive chairman.
Transaction value. Approximately $25 billion (2014)
2014
Discontinue promethazine with codeine cough syrupOtherBackground
The product had become associated with recreational misuse and was frequently referenced in popular culture.
Action taken
Actavis discontinued production of its promethazine-with-codeine cough syrup.
Aftermath
The product disappeared from Actavis's offering, although the company continued producing other cough medicines, including hydrocodone-and-homatropine syrup.
2013
Acquire Warner ChilcottM&ABackground
Actavis wanted to strengthen specialty pharmaceuticals and expand in women's health, urology, gastroenterology and dermatology.
Action taken
Actavis completed a stock-for-stock acquisition of Warner Chilcott.
Aftermath
The deal expanded specialty operations and was accompanied by the relocation of the corporate headquarters to Ireland.
Transaction value. Approximately $8.5 billion (2013)
2012
Acquire Actavis Group and adopt the Actavis identityM&ABackground
Watson Pharmaceuticals sought greater international scale in generic medicines and access to established commercial markets outside the United States.
Action taken
Watson acquired the Switzerland-based Actavis Group and adopted Actavis as the name for its global operations.
Aftermath
The combined business became one of the world's largest generic-drug companies, with a broader international commercial and manufacturing network.
Transaction value. €4.25 billion (2012)
Recent events
- 2015
Actavis completes Allergan acquisition[1]
M&A
Actavis completed its acquisition of Allergan, creating a diversified global pharmaceutical company with operations in approximately 100 countries.
- 2015
Actavis plc changes its name to Allergan plc[1]
Leadership change
The listed parent adopted the Allergan name, while certain generic operations continued using Actavis branding.
- 2015
Actavis agrees to sell its generics division to Teva[1]
M&A
Allergan announced the proposed sale of its generics division, including Anda, to Teva Pharmaceuticals.
- 2014
Actavis completes Forest Laboratories acquisition[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The acquisition broadened the company's branded and specialty pharmaceutical portfolio and led to a senior leadership restructuring.
- 2014
Actavis discontinues promethazine with codeine cough syrup[1]
Product generation · Other
Actavis discontinued production of its promethazine-with-codeine cough syrup, which had become associated with recreational misuse and popular-culture references.
- 2013
Actavis acquires Warner Chilcott[1]
M&A
The transaction expanded Actavis in women's health, urology, gastroenterology and dermatology and moved its corporate headquarters to Ireland.
- 2012
Watson Pharmaceuticals acquires Actavis Group and adopts the Actavis name[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Watson acquired the Switzerland-based Actavis Group and used the Actavis identity for its expanded global pharmaceutical operations.
Sources1 sources
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