Content about Watson Pharmaceuticals

October 22, 2012
Watson, Actavis divest more drugs as condition for FTC merger approval

Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

NEW YORK – Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

October 16, 2012
FTC approves Watson-Actavis merger

The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Watson Pharmaceutical's acquisition of Switzerland-based generic drug maker Actavis.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Watson Pharmaceutical's acquisition of Switzerland-based generic drug maker Actavis.

The unanimous vote in support of the merger follows Watson's agreement to divest a number of marketed and pipeline products to Par Pharmaceutical and Sandoz as a condition to obtaining FTC approval.

October 16, 2012
Par to acquire 14 generics

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

October 15, 2012
Watson gains two generic approvals

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

September 18, 2012
NewsBytes — Generics, 9/24/12

Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


NEW YORK — Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


September 14, 2012
FDA approves Lannett tension headache drug

The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

Lannett announced the approval of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine tablets in the 50-mg/325-mg/40-mg strength. the drug is a generic version of Watson Pharmaceuticals' Fioricet.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $30 million during the 12-month period ended in July, including $15 million for branded Fioricet. Lannett plans to start shipping its version next month, the company said.

August 24, 2012
FDA approves Watson pain patch

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic medicated patch for treating pain made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic medicated patch for treating pain made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said.

Watson announced the approval of lidocaine topical patch in the 5% strength. The drug is a generic version of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Lidoderm, which had sales of about $1.2 billion during the 12-month period ended in June 2012, according to IMS Health.

August 20, 2012
Watson launches authorized generic respiratory drug

Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched an authorized generic version of a respiratory disease drug used in children and adults, the drug maker said Monday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched an authorized generic version of a respiratory disease drug used in children and adults, the drug maker said Monday.

Watson announced the launch of an authorized generic version of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals' Xopenex (levalbuterol hydrochloride) inhalation solution under an agreement with Sunovion. The drug is used to treat and prevent bronchospasm in patients ages 6 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

August 15, 2012
Watson sues FDA over generic Actos

Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

August 1, 2012
FDA approves Watson asthma generic

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug designed to treat asthma in children.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug designed to treat asthma in children.

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced Wednesday the approval of budesonide inhalation suspension in the 0.25-mg/2-mL and 0.5-mg/2-mL strengths. The drug is used to control and prevent asthma symptoms in children ages 12 months to 8 years.

The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Pulmicort Respules, which had sales of $1.1 billion during the 12-month period ended in May.

July 30, 2012
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 8/6/12

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Next Choice One Dose (levonorgestrel) tablets in the 1.5-mg strength.

SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Next Choice One Dose (levonorgestrel) tablets in the 1.5-mg strength. The drug is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is a generic version of Teva Women’s Health’s Plan B One-Step, which had sales of about $88 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.


July 30, 2012
Watson seeks approval for acne, bronchospasm drugs

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on a drug for acne and a drug for bronchospasm, the company said Monday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on a drug for acne and a drug for bronchospasm, the company said Monday.

July 17, 2012
Watson, Actavis receive second FTC request

Watson Pharmaceuticals confirmed it received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission in connection with the drug maker's pending acquisition of Actavis Group.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals confirmed it received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission in connection with the drug maker's pending acquisition of Actavis Group.

July 13, 2012
FDA approves generic emergency contraceptive

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Friday.

Watson announced the approval of Next Choice One Dose (levonorgestrel) tablets in the 1.5-mg strength. The drug is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

The drug is a generic version of Teva Women's Health's Plan B One-Step, which had sales of about $88 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

July 12, 2012
FDA approves Watson arthritis drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for arthritis made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for arthritis made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said.

Watson announced that the FDA approved a subsidiary's application for diclofenac sodium and misoprostol delayed-release tablets. The drug is a generic version of G.D. Searle's Arthrotec, used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have high risk of developing ulcers related to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, a class that includes the painkiller ibuprofen.

June 26, 2012
Watson seeks approval for generic antidepressant

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on an antidepressant made by Pfizer, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on an antidepressant made by Pfizer, the company said.

Watson filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for desvenlafaxine succinate extended-release tablets in the 50-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Pristiq.

June 25, 2012
FDA approves Actavis ADHD drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Actavis, the drug maker said Monday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Actavis, the drug maker said Monday.

Actavis, whose parent company was recently acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals, announced the approval of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate extended-release capsules, also known as mixed-amphetamine salts ER capsules.

June 19, 2012
Appeals court rules in favor of Watson in Sanctura XR patent suit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of Watson Pharmaceuticals during patent litigation concerning the drug maker's abbreviated new drug application for an overactive bladder treatment.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of Watson Pharmaceuticals during patent litigation concerning the drug maker's abbreviated new drug application for an overactive bladder treatment.

The appeals court affirmed a U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware's decision — made March 31 — that asserted that patents related to Allergan's Sanctura XR (trospium chloride extended-release capsules) are invalid. Watson's ANDA for a generic version of Sanctura XR is pending with the Food and Drug Administration.

May 31, 2012
Actavis launches generic hypertension, chest pain drug

Actavis has launched a generic drug for high blood pressure and chest pain, the company said.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis has launched a generic drug for high blood pressure and chest pain, the company said.

Actavis, which recently agreed to an acquisition by Watson Pharmaceuticals, announced the launch of nifedipine extended-release tablets in the 90-mg strength, a generic version of Bayer's Adalat CC.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $23 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

May 29, 2012
Watson settles with Endo, Teikoku Seiyaku over generic version of Lidoderm patch

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has entered a settlement that will allow it to launch a generic patch used to treat post herpetic neuralgia, a pain disorder associated with shingles.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has entered a settlement that will allow it to launch a generic patch used to treat post herpetic neuralgia, a pain disorder associated with shingles.

Watson announced Tuesday a settlement through one of its subsidiaries with Endo Pharmaceuticals and Teikoku Seiyaku Co. over its generic version of Lidoderm (lidocaine) topical patch. Lidoderm had sales of $1.2 billion during the 12-month period ended in March 2012, according to IMS Health.

May 18, 2012
FDA approves generic Parkinson's disease drug made by Actavis

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for Parkinson's disease made by Actavis, the drug maker said Friday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for Parkinson's disease made by Actavis, the drug maker said Friday.

Actavis, which last month signed a deal with Watson Pharmaceuticals to be acquired for $5.6 billion, announced the approval and launch of ropinirole extended-release tablets in the 2-mg, 4-mg, 6-mg, 8-mg and 12-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's Requip XL, which had sales of about $59.4 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

May 18, 2012
Watson challenges Lo Loestrin Fe patent

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection of a contraceptive drug made by Warner Chilcott, Watson said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection of a contraceptive drug made by Warner Chilcott, Watson said Friday.

The company announced that it had filed a regulatory application with the Food and Drug Administration for norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets in the 1-mg/0.01-mg strength and ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate tablets in the 0.01-mg/75-mg strength. The treatment is a generic version of Warner Chilcott's Lo Loestrin Fe.

May 10, 2012
New office to help integrate Actavis into Watson

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has formed a special office to handle its pending acquisition of Actavis, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has formed a special office to handle its pending acquisition of Actavis, the company said.

Watson announced the formation of the global integration management office, which will report directly to president and CEO Paul Bisaro and focus on integrating the Zug, Switzerland-based generic drug maker, which Watson announced it would acquire last month.

May 10, 2012
Watson seeks approval for generic ulcerative colitis drug

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, the company said.

Watson announced that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration through a subsidiary for melamine delayed-release tablets, a generic version of Shire Development's Lialda, in the 1.2-g strength. Watson's filing included a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that Lialda's patent protection is invalid, unenforceable or won't be infringed.

May 4, 2012
Watson appoints new VP global investor relations

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has appointed Lisa DeFrancesco as its VP global investor relations, the company said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has appointed Lisa DeFrancesco as its VP global investor relations, the company said Friday.

Succeeding Patricia Eisenhaur, who will leave the company on June 1, DeFrancesco will report directly to chief communications officer Charles Mayr. She will be responsible for investor relations programs and serve as the company's principal spokeswoman and point of contact with the analyst and investment community.