- Paragraph IV Litigation Underway -

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc.- Florida, filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market its 174 mg and 348 mg strength bupropion hydrobromide tablets prior to the expiration of patents owned by Biovail.  Watson's 174 mg and 348 mg strength bupropion hydrobromide tablet products are generic versions of Biovail's Aplenzin™ ER, which is indicated for major depressive disorder.  

Biovail filed suit against Watson on February 18, 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking to prevent Watson from commercializing its product prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,553,992, 7,563,823, 7,569,610, 7,572,935, and 7,649,091. Biovail's suit was filed under the provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act, resulting in a stay of final FDA approval of Watson's ANDA for up to 30 months or until final resolution of the matter before the court, whichever occurs sooner.  Based on available information, Watson believes it may be a "first applicant" to file an ANDA for the 174 mg and 348 mg strength of a generic version of Aplenzin™ ER and, should its ANDA be approved, may be entitled to 180 days of generic market exclusivity for those strengths.

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company.  The Company is engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women's Health.  Watson has operations in many of the world's established and growing international markets.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to Watson's estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release.  For instance, any statements in this press release concerning prospects related to Watson's product introductions and anticipated financial performance are forward-looking statements.  It is important to note that Watson's goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance.  Watson's performance, at times, will differ from its goals and expectations.  Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business.  These factors include, among others, the impact of competitive products and pricing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of litigation; the timing and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions; market acceptance of and continued demand for Watson's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson's and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.  

Aplenzin™ ER is a registered trademark of Biovail Corporation.

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SOURCE Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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