Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Generic Lysteda® Receives FDA Approval

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced that its subsidiary Watson Laboratories, Inc. Florida has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for tranexamic acid tablets, the generic equivalent to Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ Lysteda®.

Watson intends to begin shipping the product immediately. Lysteda® is indicated for the treatment of cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding. Ferring B.V. has filed lawsuits against Watson, alleging that Watson’s ANDA product infringes U.S. Patent Nos. 7,947,739, 8,022,106, and 8,273,795. The litigations remain pending.

For the 12 months ending November 30, 2012, Lysteda® had total U.S. sales of approximately $25 million according to IMS Health data.

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) is a global, integrated specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing generic, brand and biosimilar products. The Company has global and U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, and international headquarters in Zug, Switzerland.

Watson is the world’s third-largest generics prescription drug manufacturer, with more than 750 products marketed globally through operations in more than 60 countries. Watson’s global branded pharmaceutical business develops and markets products principally in Urology and Women’s Health, and is committed to developing and marketing biosimilars products in Women’s Health, Oncology and other therapeutic categories. In addition, Watson is the fourth-largest U.S. generic pharmaceutical product distributor through its Anda, Inc. business, and also develops and out-licenses generic pharmaceutical products outside of the U.S. through its Medis third-party business. Watson has announced that it will adopt a new global name Actavis effective in 2013.

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 non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson’s current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release. It is important to note that Watson’s goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Watson’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Watson’s business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing and outcome of the pending patent litigation and risks that an adverse outcome in such litigation could render Watson liable for substantial damages; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timing and success of product launches; 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 and its third party manufacturers’ facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and Watson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Lysteda® is a registered trademark of Ferring B.V.

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SOURCE Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.