Who founded Watson Pharmaceuticals?

Dr. Allen Chao founded Watson Pharmaceuticals in the mid-1980s. He held the Chief Executive Officer position until 2007 and served as Chairman. Dr. Chao moved to the United States in 1968 and earned a doctorate in pharmacy from Purdue University.

In Watson Pharmaceuticals' early years, Dr. Chao focused on manufacturing complex generic drugs for small target markets, such as tranquilizers for schizophrenia sufferers. As revenue grew throughout the 1990s, the company began acquiring other pharmaceutical companies, increasing its range of drug markets and locations. The company also began developing its own drugs, and the FDA approved its first drug in 2003. By the time Dr. Chao left Watson, it was the third-largest generic pharmaceutical supplier, with a revenue of about $2.5 billion.