About Us
Introducing Allergan Inc. and Allergan Limited - U.K.
Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Irvine, California, is a technology-driven, global health care company providing eye care and speciality pharmaceutical products worldwide. We develop and commercialise products in the eye care pharmaceutical, movement disorder and skin care markets that deliver value to our customers, satisfy unmet medical needs and improve patients' lives.
Founded in 1950, Allergan now employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide, with 2004 sales of over US$ 2.0 billion. With over 50 years of health care experience, Allergan has earned a reputation as an innovative leader in pharmaceutical and health care research and development.
By devoting a signficant portion of our revenues to research and development, Allergan seeks to use proprietary technology to develop unique pharmaceutical products that create value and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Our research and development efforts are focused on the areas of glaucoma, neuroprotection, retinal disease and dry eye; on skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne and photo-damaged skin; and other diseases and conditions such as movement disorders, pain and cancer.
NOTE: Effective July 2002, the Allergan Ophthalmic Surgical and Contact Lens Care businesses were spun-off to create a new company, Advanced Medical Optics.
A Short History of Allergan Limited
When Allergan decided to expand internationally in the 1970s the UK and Ireland became a new major focus.
As in the US, the company started in a small way — distributing contact lens care products through a Hertfordshire based distribution company.
The products were very well received and quickly became established leading to Allergan setting up its own premises in Bourne End in Buckinghamshire in 1977, staffed by a team of five.
The same year a new purpose built manufacturing factory with a staff of 70 was opened in Ireland to manufacture ophthalmic products for the UK. Initially the factory produced contact lens care products, but further lines were soon added.
As the business grew, the High Wycombe office increased to a staff of 125, housing the European Research and Development and the UK sales functions.
In support of its marketed products and research programmes, Allergan has also established a European centralised customer service function in Dublin, Ireland. This allows fast, efficient communications across national borders and will enable Allergan to continue to provide excellent levels of service to its customers.
Product Overview
Allergan develops and markets a broad range of therapeutic eye care products targeting a variety of diseases.
Allergan develops and markets a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). It is in a class of drugs called neurotoxins.
Allergan develops and markets products for the management of skin disorders.