CORONA, Calif., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, confirmed today that Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has filed a patent lawsuit against Watson and certain of its subsidiaries related to Quasense(TM) (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol tablets USP), Watson’s generic version of Seasonale(R), an extended cycle oral contraceptive. The lawsuit asserts that Watson’s Quasense(TM) product infringes Duramed’s U.S. Patent 5,895,032 (‘032).
“We fully intend to continue to market Quasense(TM), our generic version of Seasonale(R) and will defend this case vigorously,” commented Paul Bisaro, Watson’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Watson launched its Quasense(TM) product in September 2006 following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final approval of its abbreviated new drug application. On September 25, 2007, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) issued to Duramed U.S. Patent No. RE39,861 (the ‘861 Patent) related to Seasonale(R). On December 13, 2007, Barr filed suit against Watson in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey alleging infringement of the ‘861 Patent seeking to prevent Watson from further commercializing its Quasense(TM) product.
Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events 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. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 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 difficulty of predicting the timing and outcome of litigation; risks that resolution of patent infringement litigation through settlement could result in investigations or actions by private parties or government authorities; the impact of competitive products and pricing; and 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, 2006.
Seasonale(R) is a registered trademark of Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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CONTACT: Patty Eisenhaur of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-951-493-5611
Web site: http://www.watsonpharm.com/
