Actavis hails ‘exceptional’ performance in fourth quarter of 2014

Actavis has expressed satisfaction with the 'exceptional' growth it demonstrated during the fourth and final quarter of 2014.

A preliminary review of the company's fourth-quarter results have shown that non-GAAP earnings per share for the three months are expected to exceed Wall Street consensus estimates by ten to 15 percent.

During the period, the firm saw strong results for its branded, generic and over-the-counter medicines divisions both in the US and internationally, with important progress made on regulatory filings for various therapies.

Moreover, it was able to complete its takeover of Durata Therapeutics and put a new leadership team in place ahead of the finalisation of its merger with Allergan.

Brent Saunders, chief executive officer and president of Actavis, said: "We are continuing to make extensive progress in pre-integration planning activities that will ensure we can seamlessly operate as one combined company following close."

The Allergan takeover deal is valued at $66 billion (43.68 billion pounds) and will create one of the world's largest healthcare businesses when it is completed late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2015.