Watson Files FDA Application for Generic Rozerem(R)
December 04 2009 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Paragraph IV Litigation Underway - MORRISTOWN, N.J., Dec. 4
/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 8mg ramelteon tablets
prior to the expiration of a patent owned by Takeda Pharmaceutical
Company Limited. Watson's 8mg ramelteon tablet product is a generic
version of Takeda's Rozerem®, which is indicated for the treatment
of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North
America, Inc. filed suit against Watson on December 2, 2009 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 No. 6,034,239. Takeda'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 a generic version of Rozerem® and,
should its ANDA be approved, may be entitled to 180 days of shared
generic market exclusivity. For the twelve months ending September
30, 2009, Rozerem® had total U.S. sales of approximately $91
million according to IMS Health data. 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
over 20 countries including 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 inherent uncertainty associated with
financial projections; 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 2009. Except as expressly required by law, Watson
disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements. Rozerem® is a registered trademark of Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020214/WATSONLOGO)
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020214/WATSONLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Watson Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. CONTACT: investors, Patty Eisenhaur, +1-973-355-8141, or
media, Charlie Mayr, +1-973-355-8483, both of Watson
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Web Site: http://www.watson.com/
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