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The specialty drug company AbbVie will spend USD 63 billion to acquire Allergan, the maker of Botox and other cosmetic treatments. The two pharmaceutical companies have little in common, save for a desire to reinvigorate growth that has sputtered. Shares of AbbVie are down 16 per cent over the past year and shares of Allergan are down 24 per cent. "This is a transformational transaction for both companies and achieves unique and complementary strategic objectives," said AbbVie CEO and Chairman Richard Gonzalez in a prepared statement Tuesday. "The combination of AbbVie and Allergan increases our ability to continue to deliver on our mission to patients and shareholders." The maker of the global blockbuster immune disorder treatment Humira will pay USD 120.30 in cash and a portion of AbbVie stock for each Allergan share. That amounts to USD 188.24 per share, or a 45 per cent premium to Allergan's closing price Monday. AbbVie is facing the expiration of patent protection for Humira,