Content about Iceland

December 10, 2012
Amgen buys DeCode Genetics for $415 million

Amgen is buying an Iceland-based biotech company for $415 million, the two said Monday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Amgen is buying an Iceland-based biotech company for $415 million, the two said Monday.

Amgen announced it would acquire DeCode Genetics, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, in a deal that Amgen's board of directors unanimously approved. Founded in 1996, DeCode focuses its business on finding links between the human genome and disease susceptibility. The acquisition is expected to close before the end of 2012 and does not require regulatory approval.

October 8, 2012
European Commission approves Watson-Actavis merger

European regulators have approved U.S. drug maker Watson's acquisition of Switzerland-based Actavis, Watson said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — European regulators have approved U.S. drug maker Watson's acquisition of Switzerland-based Actavis, Watson said.

Watson said the European Commission had approved its $5.6 billion purchase of the drug maker, formerly based in Iceland, which Watson announced in April 2012.

Watson expects the transaction to be finished by the end of this year, subject to regulatory approval by the Federal Trade Commission. The acquisition is expected to create the world's third-largest generic drug maker.