Actelion

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  Actelion Logo

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  Actelion Headquarters in Allschwil

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Actelion

Actelion was a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative drugs for diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company was founded in December 1997 and was headquartered in Allschwil, Switzerland. Actelion was known for its work in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other rare diseases.

History

Actelion was established by a group of scientists and executives from Hoffmann-La Roche, including Jean-Paul Clozel, Martine Clozel, Walter Fischli, and Thomas Widmann. The company quickly gained recognition for its focus on orphan drugs and its innovative approach to drug development.

In 2000, Actelion launched its first product, bosentan (brand name Tracleer), which was the first oral treatment approved for PAH. This marked a significant milestone for the company and established its reputation in the field of cardiovascular disease.

In 2017, Actelion was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $30 billion. The acquisition included Actelion's PAH portfolio, while its drug discovery operations and early-stage clinical development assets were spun off into a new company called Idorsia.

Products

Actelion developed several important drugs, primarily in the area of PAH and other rare diseases:

• Bosentan (Tracleer): An endothelin receptor antagonist used to treat PAH.
• Macitentan (Opsumit): Another endothelin receptor antagonist for PAH, offering improved efficacy and safety.
• Selexipag (Uptravi): An oral prostacyclin receptor agonist for the treatment of PAH.
• Iloprost (Ventavis): An inhaled prostacyclin analogue for PAH.
• Almorexant: An orexin receptor antagonist developed for the treatment of insomnia, though it was never marketed.

Research and Development

Actelion was heavily invested in research and development (R&D), focusing on innovative therapies for rare and orphan diseases. The company maintained a strong pipeline of investigational drugs and was involved in numerous clinical trials.

The company's R&D efforts were supported by its proprietary drug discovery platform, which enabled the identification of novel targets and the development of small molecule drugs.

Acquisition by Johnson & Johnson

In January 2017, Johnson & Johnson announced its intention to acquire Actelion for $30 billion. The acquisition was completed in June 2017, with Actelion's commercial operations becoming part of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies. The deal was structured to allow Actelion's drug discovery operations to continue independently as Idorsia, a new company focused on early-stage drug development.

Related pages

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Orphan drug
• Endothelin receptor antagonist
• Johnson & Johnson
• Idorsia