Our History
Bringing quality medicines to the world since 1901
The company known today as Teva started as a small business in Jerusalem in 1901. Teva has since grown significantly worldwide and is currently among the top 15 global pharmaceutical Companies 01 - a world leader in generic and specialty medicines.
The company known today as Teva started as a small business in Jerusalem in 1901. The young company, named after its pharmacist founders, was Salomon, Levin and Elstein Ltd., and it distributed imported medicines throughout the region using mule trains and camel caravans.
Over the following decades, the company’s growth was spurred as demand for locally-produced medicines grew. In 1976, the company became Teva ("טבע" - the Hebrew word for “nature”) Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Teva grew significantly across the globe through numerous acquisitions which integrated and enhanced its expertise in innovative and generic medicines, as well as new therapeutic areas and markets. Today, Teva is among the top 15 global pharmaceutical companies ― a world leader in generic and specialty medicines.
Footnotes
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Teva annual report filing 2018; Based on 2018 revenue data from public filings
Key Milestones in the US:
1985
A joint company, established by Teva and W.R. Grace in the US, acquires Lemmon Pharmacal Company. Teva later buys out W.R. Grace’s share, creating Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.
1996
Biocraft in the US joins Teva’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Division.
1999
Teva strengthens its position in the US generic pharmaceuticals market by acquiring Copley Pharmaceutical Inc.
2001
Teva gains full ownership of Teva-Marion Partners, renamed Teva Neuroscience, marketing innovative products in North America.
2004
Teva acquires Sicor, Inc., bringing together two premier generic pharmaceutical companies, thus combining Teva's successful oral dose generic drugs franchise with Sicor's leading generic injectable business.
2006
Teva acquires IVAX Corporation, strengthening its R&D, respiratory, manufacturing, and marketing presence.
2008
Teva acquires Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., expanding Teva’s generic and proprietary portfolios to include women’s health and other important therapeutic areas.
2008
Teva acquires CoGenesys, broadening Teva’s biopharmaceutical capabilities.
2011
Teva acquires Cephalon, Inc. to diversify and expand its portfolio of branded and specialty pharmaceuticals, including the areas of CNS and oncology.
2014
Teva acquires NuPathe and Labrys Biologics, greatly complementing its expanding pain care portfolio within CNS.
2015
Teva acquires Auspex, to strengthen Teva's core central nervous system franchise in the area of movement disorders.
2016
Teva acquires Allergan plc’s worldwide generic pharmaceuticals business, Actavis Generics, significantly expanding Teva’s generic product portfolio, R&D capabilities, product pipeline, and global operational network.
2016
Teva acquires Anda, a leading distributor of generic pharmaceuticals in the US.
2016
Teva and Celltrion entered into an exclusive partnership to commercialize two of Celltrion’s products in the US and Canada.