Espicom's generics company reports will help you to understand the dynamic and complex issues affecting the business of leading generic industry players. These informative reports provide an insight into the company, covering the structure of the business, the most recent quarterly and annual financial results, information on the company's active product lines and ANDA approvals, along with a review of major developments, such as M&A activity, strategic alliances, and litigation. Actavis, originally named Pharmaco, was created in 1956; in May 2004 it changed its name to Actavis. The company is headquartered in Iceland, but has manufacturing operations in 12 countries. Actavis employs around 10,800 members of staff.

The company is particularly active in eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, Russia, and Serbia, but in recent years has been pushing for a stronger presence in the EU, and in the United States. The company gained its first US ANDA approvals in August 2005, through its Amide subsidiary.

The company has been one of the most acquisitive in the generic field in recent years, buying a large number of manufacturers and distributors. The most significant was announced in October 2005, when Actavis revealed the US$810 million purchase of Alpharma's human generics businesses. The deal will give Actavis a major presence in the US market and turn the company into one of the world's top five generic manufacturers. The acquisition was closed in December 2005. Other major recent acquisitions include Amide Pharmaceuticals, Abrika (USA), Fako (Turkey) and Sindan (Romania).

The majority of Actavis' sales are through its Own Brand division and its Third Party division (Medis), both of which sell finished pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Actavis sells APIs and supplies intellectual property through its Third Party division. The company closed an API plant in Bulgaria in 2005.

Actavis has twice recently lost out in a bid to acquire a larger rival. In 2006, the company failed to purchase Pliva, after that company preferred a less hostile bid from Barr. In 2007, Actavis was a strong contender for Merck Generics, but pulled out of the bidding due to intense competition.