What is "actelion"

Actelion is a pharmaceuticals and bio-technology company established in December 1997, headquarterd in Allschwil near Basel in Switzerland. Its CEO and co-founder is cardiologist Jean-Paul Clozel.

Actelion specializes in orphan diseases. Actelion scientists were among the first to work in the field of endothelian receptor antagonists. The company name might be a reminder for its first product, an endothelian receptor antagonist and the verb "action", "act upon". Actelion was initially financed with venture capital provided through a syndicate including Atlas Venture, Sofinnova and HealthCap.

Actelion has 29 operative affiliates around the world, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Switzerland and a number of EU countries. The Swiss affiliate is located in Baden, the German affiliate in Freiburg, the Austrian one in Vienna, the French one in Paris and the UK affiliate is located in London

In 2006, the company established the Actelion Endothelin Research Award programme which supports selected clinical research projects.