Watson to Acquire Actavis Group, Create Third-Largest Generics Maker

Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Actavis Group April 25 announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Watson will acquire Actavis for approximately $5.6 billion.

Watson, which is based in Parsippany, N.J., said that this acquisition will make it the third-largest global generics company, with 2012 anticipated pro forma revenue of approximately $8 billion. Switzerland-based Actavis has approximately 300 projects in its development pipeline and manufactured more than 22 billion pharmaceutical doses in 2011. Actavis has more than 10,000 employees worldwide and had 2011 revenues of approximately $2.5 billion.

“The acquisition of Actavis will create the third largest ...