Allergan
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAllergan is a pharmaceutical and medical-aesthetics brand associated with Botox, Juvéderm, eye care and other specialty medicines, now operating within AbbVie.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Allergan is a global pharmaceutical and medical-technology brand whose identity was built around specialty healthcare rather than mass-market consumer products. Its origins lie in Allergan Pharmaceuticals, founded in the United States in 1948 by pharmacist Gavin S. Herbert. The early company concentrated on ophthalmology, developing and manufacturing medicines and related products for eye care. That specialization shaped Allergan's later reputation and provided the platform for expansion into dermatology, medical aesthetics, neuroscience, gastroenterology and other prescription-medicine categories. The original Allergan, Inc. became a public company in 1970. Its corporate ownership changed several times: SmithKline acquired the business in 1980, and the company was subsequently separated from SmithKline Beecham in 1989. During the following decades Allergan broadened its product portfolio through internal development, licensing and acquisitions. The acquisition of Oculinum in 1991 was especially important because it brought a botulinum-toxin product for eye-muscle disorders. Allergan renamed the product Botox, which later became one of the world's most recognizable prescription and medical-aesthetics brands. Other important developments included Alphagan for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, Restasis for dry-eye disease, and the acquisition of Inamed, which provided a route into breast implants, dermal fillers and aesthetic medicine. Allergan obtained rights to the Juvéderm filler franchise in 2006. A major corporate transformation occurred in 2015. Irish-domiciled Actavis plc acquired the U.S.-based Allergan, Inc. for approximately $70 billion and adopted the Allergan name for the combined company. The resulting Allergan plc operated as a broad pharmaceutical group spanning branded medicines, generics, specialty products and medical devices. Its global headquarters were in Dublin, while it retained substantial operations in the United States. The group used acquisitions to build positions in aesthetics, eye care, central-nervous-system therapies and gastrointestinal medicine. Purchases during this period included Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, AqueSys, Naurex, Tobira Therapeutics, Vitae Pharmaceuticals, LifeCell, Zeltiq Aesthetics, Bonti and Envy Medical. It also acquired or licensed assets in migraine, ophthalmology, dermatology, neuroscience and reproductive health. The company was not limited to expansion. In 2016, it sold its generic-drug business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for $40.5 billion and separately sold its Anda generic-distribution business. Allergan also entered into a proposed $160 billion combination with Pfizer in 2015, but Pfizer terminated the transaction in 2016 after changes in the U.S. political and regulatory environment increased scrutiny of corporate tax inversions. In June 2019, AbbVie agreed to acquire Allergan plc for approximately $63 billion. The transaction was completed on May 8, 2020, making Allergan part of AbbVie's pharmaceutical and aesthetics portfolio and ending its existence as an independent listed company. The Allergan name continues to be used in connection with products and businesses in medical aesthetics, eye care and specialty medicine, although corporate ownership, regulatory approvals and commercialization arrangements can differ by product and country. The most prominent associated franchises include Botox, Juvéderm, CoolSculpting, Alphagan, Restasis, Vraylar, Linzess and Ubrelvy.
History
Allergan began in 1948 when pharmacist Gavin S. Herbert founded Allergan Pharmaceuticals in the United States. Its initial focus was ophthalmology, an area that remained central to the company's identity for decades. Allergan became publicly traded in 1970. In 1977 it announced plans for an Irish manufacturing facility, reflecting the company's developing international footprint. SmithKline acquired Allergan in 1980 for approximately $259 million, and the business was later spun off by SmithKline Beecham in 1989. That year Allergan also opened a manufacturing plant in Waco, Texas, for eye-care products. In 1991 Allergan acquired Oculinum, a company producing a botulinum-toxin treatment for eye-muscle disorders. The product was renamed Botox. Regulatory approvals and subsequent clinical development expanded Botox into additional therapeutic uses, while its use in aesthetic medicine made it a defining brand in the global medical-aesthetics market. Allergan received U.S. approval for Alphagan ophthalmic solution in 1996 for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension and established the Allergan Foundation in 1998. The company expanded into aesthetics and broader specialty care through acquisitions. In 2005 it acquired Inamed, which had a licensing relationship involving Juvéderm products; Allergan obtained rights to the Juvéderm franchise in 2006. This combination of ophthalmology, injectables, dermal fillers, breast implants and other physician-directed products made Allergan a major specialist healthcare company. The corporate entity now known as Allergan plc was created in 2015 when Irish-registered Actavis plc acquired U.S.-registered Allergan, Inc. for approximately $70 billion and adopted the Allergan name. Actavis itself had developed from Watson Pharmaceuticals, founded in 1983 by Allen Chao and David Hsia, and had expanded through acquisitions including Actavis, Warner Chilcott and Forest Laboratories. Brent Saunders led the combined company as chief executive. Allergan plc operated across branded pharmaceuticals, generics, specialty medicine and medical devices, with principal business areas in medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system medicine and gastroenterology. From 2015 through 2018, Allergan plc pursued an acquisition-heavy strategy. It bought or acquired rights to assets and companies in migraine, ophthalmology, neuroscience, aesthetics, dermatology, gastrointestinal medicine and regenerative medicine. Notable transactions included Oculeve, Naurex, AqueSys, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Topokine Therapeutics, Tobira Therapeutics, Akarna Therapeutics, Vitae Pharmaceuticals, LifeCell, Zeltiq Aesthetics, Bonti and Envy Medical. In 2016 it sold its generics business to Teva for $40.5 billion and sold its Anda distribution business to the same buyer. A proposed merger with Pfizer, announced in 2015, was terminated in 2016 after U.S. policy changes and regulatory scrutiny surrounding tax inversions. The company also faced legal and reputational challenges. In 2018 Allergan was named in opioid-related litigation brought by U.S. states and municipalities. The cases formed part of broader national litigation concerning the manufacture, marketing and distribution of opioids. The company continued to market major aesthetic and specialty products, including Botox, Juvéderm, CoolSculpting, Restasis, Alphagan, Vraylar, Linzess and Ubrelvy. In June 2019 AbbVie announced an agreement to acquire Allergan plc for approximately $63 billion. AbbVie completed the transaction on May 8, 2020. Allergan therefore ceased to operate as an independent listed company, while its product franchises and business activities continued under AbbVie. Today, Allergan is best understood as a continuing commercial and product brand within AbbVie, particularly in medical aesthetics and eye care, rather than as a separate publicly traded corporation.
- 2020
Acquisition by AbbVie completed
[4]AbbVie completed its acquisition of Allergan plc on May 8, 2020.
- 2019
AbbVie announces acquisition agreement
[3]AbbVie agreed to acquire Allergan plc for approximately $63 billion.
- 2017
LifeCell and Zeltiq acquisitions
[1]Allergan acquired LifeCell and Zeltiq Aesthetics, strengthening regenerative medicine and body-contouring aesthetics.
- 2016
Generics business sold to Teva
[1]Allergan sold its generic-drug business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for approximately $40.5 billion.
- 2015
Actavis acquisition creates Allergan plc
[2]Actavis completed its acquisition of Allergan, Inc. and adopted the Allergan name for the combined group.
- 2005
Inamed acquisition
[1]Allergan acquired Inamed, expanding into aesthetic medicine and related medical devices.
- 1996
Alphagan approval
[1]The company received U.S. approval for Alphagan ophthalmic solution for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
- 1991
Oculinum acquisition and Botox naming
[1]Allergan acquired Oculinum and renamed its botulinum-toxin product Botox.
- 1980
Acquisition by SmithKline
[1]SmithKline acquired Allergan for approximately $259 million.
- 1970
Initial public offering
[1]Allergan, Inc. became a publicly traded company.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Specialty pharmaceuticals, ophthalmology, medical aesthetics and physician-directed healthcare
Botulinum-toxin medicine · 1991
Botox
Botox is Allergan's most internationally recognizable product franchise. It is a botulinum-toxin formulation used in approved therapeutic indications and, in separate formulations or uses depending on jurisdiction, for temporary improvement of facial lines. Its medical applications have included muscle disorders, spasticity, chronic migraine and other conditions. Approved indications, prescribing information and commercial arrangements differ by market.
Hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers
Juvéderm
Juvéderm is a family of injectable hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers used in approved aesthetic procedures to address facial lines, wrinkles, volume loss and contouring. The range includes products designed for different facial areas and treatment objectives. Product composition, indications, practitioner requirements and regulatory status vary across countries.
Non-invasive body contouring
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a medical-aesthetics platform based on cryolipolysis, a technique intended to reduce localized subcutaneous fat through controlled cooling. Allergan added the franchise through its acquisition of Zeltiq Aesthetics in 2017. It is a device-based aesthetic offering rather than a prescription medicine, and availability and authorized uses depend on local regulation.
Ophthalmic prescription medicine
Restasis
Restasis is an ophthalmic prescription brand associated with the treatment of chronic dry-eye disease. It became an important part of Allergan's eye-care portfolio and illustrates the company's historical strength in ophthalmology. Approved uses, formulations, market availability and ownership arrangements should be checked in current local regulatory and company information.
Ophthalmic prescription medicine · 1996
Alphagan
Alphagan is an ophthalmic brand based on brimonidine and associated with treatment of elevated intraocular pressure, including open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Allergan received U.S. approval for Alphagan ophthalmic solution in 1996. Specific formulations and current commercialization differ by market.
Central-nervous-system prescription medicine
Vraylar
Vraylar is a prescription medicine containing cariprazine hydrochloride and associated with central-nervous-system treatment. It was part of Allergan's branded pharmaceutical portfolio before the AbbVie acquisition. Current labeling, indications and commercialization should be confirmed through AbbVie and local regulatory sources.
Gastroenterology prescription medicine
Linzess
Linzess is a linaclotide-based prescription medicine associated with gastrointestinal disorders. It represents Allergan's expansion beyond ophthalmology and aesthetics into gastroenterology. Indications and commercial rights may vary by territory.
Migraine prescription medicine
Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy is an ubrogepant-based prescription medicine for acute migraine treatment in approved markets. The migraine portfolio became part of Allergan's late-stage and branded-medicine strategy and remained within the business acquired by AbbVie.
Controversies
2018
Opioid-related litigation
Allergan was named alongside other pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in lawsuits filed by U.S. states and municipalities concerning the opioid epidemic. The litigation addressed alleged roles in the manufacture, marketing or distribution of opioids; the proceedings formed part of broader national opioid litigation.
Brand decisions
2020
AbbVie completes the acquisitionM&ABackground
The previously announced merger received the required approvals and was prepared for closing.
Action taken
AbbVie completed the acquisition of Allergan plc on May 8, 2020.
Aftermath
Allergan became part of AbbVie, with its aesthetics and specialty-care franchises continuing under AbbVie's ownership.
2019
AbbVie agrees to acquire AllerganM&ABackground
AbbVie sought to expand its exposure to medical aesthetics, eye care and other specialty pharmaceutical businesses.
Action taken
AbbVie agreed to acquire Allergan plc in an approximately $63 billion transaction.
Aftermath
The acquisition closed in 2020 and ended Allergan plc's independent public-company status.
Transaction value. Approximately $63 billion (2019)
2016
Divestiture of the generic-drug businessStrategyBackground
Allergan was repositioning the combined group toward branded and specialty pharmaceuticals and medical aesthetics.
Action taken
The company sold its generic-drug business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
Aftermath
The transaction reduced Allergan's exposure to generics and generated capital for its branded and specialty portfolio.
Transaction value. $40.5 billion (2016)
2016
Proposed Pfizer merger is abandonedM&ABackground
Allergan and Pfizer had proposed a large cross-border combination, but U.S. policy changes increased scrutiny of tax-inversion structures.
Action taken
Pfizer terminated the proposed transaction on April 5, 2016.
Aftermath
Allergan continued as an independent company until its later acquisition by AbbVie.
Proposed transaction value. Approximately $160 billion (2015-2016)
2015
Actavis acquires Allergan and adopts its nameM&ABackground
Actavis sought to combine with Allergan and create a large international pharmaceutical group with branded, generic and specialty businesses.
Action taken
Actavis completed the acquisition of Allergan, Inc. and changed the combined company's name to Allergan plc.
Aftermath
The new group was Irish-domiciled and operated globally across specialty pharmaceuticals, medical aesthetics, eye care and other therapeutic areas.
Transaction value. Approximately $70 billion (2015)
Recent events
- 2020
AbbVie completes acquisition of Allergan[4]
M&A
AbbVie completed the acquisition, bringing Allergan's aesthetics, eye-care and other specialty businesses into the AbbVie group.
- 2019
AbbVie agrees to acquire Allergan[3]
M&A
AbbVie announced an agreement to acquire Allergan plc for approximately $63 billion.
- 2019
AbbVie announces agreement to acquire Allergan[1]
M&A
AbbVie announced a proposed acquisition of Allergan valued at approximately $63 billion, with the combined company expected to be U.S.-domiciled for tax purposes.
- 2016
Pfizer terminates proposed Allergan combination[1]
M&A · Regulation
Pfizer ended the proposed merger after heightened U.S. scrutiny of tax-inversion transactions and paid a breakup fee.
- 2016
Allergan sells generic-drug business to Teva[1]
M&A
Allergan divested its generic-drug business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a transaction valued at $40.5 billion.
- 2016
Allergan agrees to sell its generic-drug business to Teva[1]
M&A
Allergan agreed to divest its global generic pharmaceuticals business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a transaction valued at $40.5 billion.
- 2016
Pfizer ends proposed combination with Allergan[1]
M&A · Regulation
Pfizer terminated its planned $160 billion merger with Allergan after changes in the U.S. tax-inversion environment. Allergan received a $150 million termination fee.
- 2016
Allergan announces a drug-pricing social contract[1]
Pricing · Regulation
Chief Executive Brent Saunders announced a set of principles intended to address public criticism of pharmaceutical pricing and price increases.
- 2015
Actavis completes acquisition of Allergan[2]
M&A · Leadership change
Actavis completed its acquisition of Allergan, Inc. and adopted the Allergan name for the combined Irish-domiciled pharmaceutical group.
- 2015
Allergan and Pfizer announce proposed merger[1]
M&A
Allergan and Pfizer announced a proposed transaction valued at approximately $160 billion, but the deal was later terminated by Pfizer.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources8 sources
- 1Allerganen.wikipedia.org
- 2Actavis completes acquisition of Allerganabbvie.com
- 3AbbVie to acquire Allergannews.abbvie.com
- 4AbbVie completes acquisition of Allergannews.abbvie.com
- 5Allergan opens new €160m biologics plant in Westportrte.ie
- 6Allergan Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Resultsprnewswire.com
- 7FDA Approves Therapy for Children with Lower Limb Spasticity | Pharmacy Timespharmacytimes.com
- 8FDA approves Ubrelvy for acute treatment of migrainehealio.com
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