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The Allergan Inc. corporate offices are pictured in Irvine Calif., in this Nov. 15, 2005, file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Chris CarlsonThe Associated Press

Allergan Inc. is keeping mum on whether or not it is in talks that would see Actavis PLC acquire it for about $60-billion (U.S.).

Allergan spokesman Scott Bisang said on Wednesday that the Botox-maker - fending off a hostile takeover bid from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. - will not comment on a report that Actavis is in discussions to take over Allergan for at least $60-billion, or more than $200 per share.

The Bloomberg report published Wednesday says that Actavis and Allergan are working to narrow a gap of about $3-billion between what Actavis is prepared to pay and what Allergan is asking for, citing two unnamed sources.

A deal could be reached as early as this month, according to the report.

Allergan recently confirmed it is in merger talks with an unidentified third party.

Laval, Que.-based Valeant has said it is prepared to "improve its offer and provide value to [Allergan] shareholders of at least $200 a share."

Actavis spokeswoman Elisabet Hjaltadottir said in an email message that company policy is to neither confirm nor deny rumours or comment on speculation related to any business development activities.

"If and when an agreement related to any business development opportunity is reached, the company is committed to providing a full disclosure," she said.

The report says Allergan wants to reach an agreement with Actavis before Dec. 18, when Allergan shareholders are to vote on a proposal from Valeant and partner Pershing Square Capital Management LP to oust a majority of Allergan's directors and replace them with individuals more receptive to a Valeant takeover.

California-based Allergan and Valeant have been engaged in a bitterly fought battle since Valeant's initial offer, announced in April.

Allergan has rebuffed Valeant's offers - its bid is now valued at about $53-billion - and refused to even discuss the matter, claiming that the proposal seriously undervalues Allergan and that Valeant's business model is not sustainable.

Meanwhile, Allergan has taken the unusual step of creating a forum for optometrists who buy its products to voice their concerns about Valeant's hostile bid.

Allergan has published an open letter online and is inviting concerned customers from around the world to sign it.

The letter lauds Allergan for its commitment to innovative R&D and the development of new products "for serious ophthalmic conditions."

It says the undersigned are "alarmed" by Valeant's hostile bid. An acquisition of Allergan by Valeant would "greatly decrease funding for R&D."

Allergan said in a securities filing that the letter is in response to those customers who said they wanted to publicly voice their concerns and asked the company to provide them with an appropriate forum. There is no compensation involved, the company said.

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