Bausch Health Companies Inc. is a publicly traded multinational pharmaceutical company with no single controlling owner, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BHC and on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with total 2024 revenues of approximately 9.6 billion dollars.
Bausch Health is the parent company of Salix Pharmaceuticals, which develops and markets XIFAXAN (rifaximin), the company’s largest individual product contributor, generating approximately 2.9 billion dollars in Salix segment revenues in 2025.
Bausch Health is headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Canada, and was formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals International before rebranding in 2018 following a period of significant corporate and reputational restructuring.
Knowing who owns Bausch Health helps consumers and investors understand the corporate structure behind one of North America’s largest specialty pharmaceutical companies and the ownership of major gastroenterology and eye care product lines.
This article covers who owns Bausch Health, what the company does, its history, how it compares to a rival, and key facts about the business.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Bausch Health?
Bausch Health Companies Inc. is publicly traded with no single controlling owner, with institutional investors holding the majority of its shares across both its NYSE and TSX listings.
The company operates through several distinct business units, most notably Salix Pharmaceuticals for gastroenterology and Bausch and Lomb for eye health, the latter being a partially publicly traded subsidiary.
Bausch Health’s board of directors oversees a corporate structure that has been significantly restructured since the controversies that led to Valeant’s rebranding, with improved governance and transparency standards.
Salix Pharmaceuticals is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health, as confirmed at Bausch Health’s company profile.
What Does Bausch Health Do?
Bausch Health develops, manufactures, and markets specialty pharmaceutical and medical device products across gastroenterology, eye health, dermatology, and international markets.
Its gastroenterology division, Salix Pharmaceuticals, is best known for XIFAXAN (rifaximin), which treats traveler’s diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and reduces the risk of hepatic encephalopathy recurrence.
Bausch and Lomb, its eye health subsidiary, is one of the oldest and most recognized brands in vision care, producing contact lenses, lens care solutions, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, and surgical equipment.
XIFAXAN remains Bausch Health’s largest single product, with 16% revenue growth in Q3 2025 and patent protection expected to hold against generic competition until approximately 2029, as confirmed in Bausch Health’s investor materials.
What Is the History of Bausch Health?
The company was originally founded as Biovail Corporation in Canada in 1994 and merged with Valeant Pharmaceuticals in 2010 to form a new entity that took the Valeant name and aggressively pursued a strategy of pharmaceutical acquisitions rather than internal research and development.
In April 2015, Valeant completed its purchase of Salix Pharmaceuticals for 14.5 billion dollars, the largest deal in Valeant’s history and a move that brought XIFAXAN and other gastroenterology products into its portfolio.
Following a period of governance controversies, accounting investigations, and a sharp decline in share price from 2015 to 2016, the company rebranded as Bausch Health Companies Inc. in 2018 under new leadership committed to rebuilding the business and its reputation.
Under subsequent management, Bausch Health has reduced its debt burden, grown its Salix revenues, and partially listed Bausch and Lomb as a public company, building toward a cleaner corporate structure for the next phase of its history.
How Big Is Bausch Health?
Bausch Health generated approximately 9.6 billion dollars in total revenues in 2024, making it one of North America’s larger specialty pharmaceutical companies by revenue.
Its Salix segment alone generated approximately 2.33 billion dollars in full-year 2024 revenues, driven primarily by XIFAXAN, which accounted for approximately 85% of Salix’s revenue in the first three quarters of 2025.
The company operates across multiple continents and has a significant international commercial presence through its dermatology, gastroenterology, and Bausch and Lomb product lines in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Bausch and Lomb, the eye health subsidiary, has its own separate NYSE listing and is considered one of the most valuable individual assets within the broader Bausch Health portfolio.
Bausch Health vs AbbVie: How Do They Compare?
Bausch Health and AbbVie both have roots in Abbott Laboratories-era pharmaceutical history but occupy very different positions in the modern pharmaceutical landscape.
AbbVie is a top-five global biopharmaceutical company with a diversified portfolio across immunology, oncology, and aesthetics, while Bausch Health is a mid-tier specialty company heavily concentrated in gastroenterology and eye care.
AbbVie’s market capitalization and revenue far exceed Bausch Health’s, reflecting a decade of strong growth from Humira and its successors versus Bausch Health’s recovery from its Valeant-era debt and governance challenges.
Both companies depend heavily on patent protection for their flagship products, with AbbVie navigating Humira biosimilar competition and Bausch Health watching its XIFAXAN patent carefully through the late 2020s.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bausch Health
Who owns Bausch Health?
Bausch Health is publicly traded with no single controlling owner. It is listed on the NYSE under the ticker BHC and on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Salix Pharmaceuticals, maker of XIFAXAN, is a wholly owned Bausch Health subsidiary.
Is Bausch Health the same as Valeant?
Yes. Bausch Health Companies Inc. is the same company that was formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. The company rebranded to Bausch Health in 2018 following governance controversies and a major corporate restructuring.
Who owns Salix Pharmaceuticals?
Salix Pharmaceuticals is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies Inc. Bausch Health acquired Salix in April 2015 for 14.5 billion dollars, bringing XIFAXAN and other gastroenterology products into its portfolio.
Where is Bausch Health headquartered?
Bausch Health Companies Inc. is headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Its US gastroenterology subsidiary Salix Pharmaceuticals operates from Bridgewater, New Jersey.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.