History of Actelion
Actelion, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative treatments for rare diseases, was
founded in 1997 in Allschwil, Switzerland, by a team of scientists led by Jean-Paul Clozel, Martine
Clozel, and Walter Fischli. The company rapidly established itself as a leader in the field of
pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with the development of its flagship drug, Tracleer
(bosentan), which was approved by the FDA in 2001. This breakthrough laid the foundation for
Actelion’s growth and reputation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Over the next decade, Actelion
expanded its product portfolio with several significant therapies, including Opsumit (macitentan)
and Uptravi (selexipag), further solidifying its dominance in the PAH market. The company's
commitment to addressing unmet medical needs and its innovative research approach attracted the
attention of larger pharmaceutical firms. In 2017, Actelion was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for
$30 billion, one of the largest deals in the pharmaceutical sector at the time. Post-acquisition,
Actelion's research and development unit was spun off into a new entity, Idorsia Ltd, continuing the
legacy of innovation with a focus on discovering and developing new therapies.