International Chemical & Nuclear Corporation

International Chemical & Nuclear Corporation, later known as ICN Pharmaceuticals, was a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1960 by Milan Panić. The company is most notable for the development and commercialization of ribavirin (Virazole), a broad-spectrum antiviral medication used to treat various viral infections including Hepatitis C and RSV. Throughout its history, the company expanded through aggressive acquisitions of smaller labs and pharmaceutical firms, becoming a pioneer in nucleoside analog research. In 2003, ICN Pharmaceuticals underwent a major restructuring and rebranded as Valeant Pharmaceuticals, which eventually evolved into Bausch Health Companies. The firm played a critical role in the early antiviral market, establishing foundational treatments for chronic infectious diseases.