Allergan to Cut 450 Workers, Take Charges

Allergan Inc. said Monday that it will eliminate 450 jobs--7.5% of its 6,000 employees--and take charges this year of as much as $75 million as the drug company adjusts to recent costly acquisitions and a slowdown in business.

The Irvine-based company, which has been struggling for months with above-average costs, said it plans to use money saved from the cutbacks to develop and market new products.

Despite the cost-cutting measures, analysts say Allergan remains a likely takeover target for much larger drug companies.

Among the victims of the drug company’s reorganization is its chief operating officer, Richard M. Haugen.