Watson Confirms BYSTOLIC(R) Patent Challenge

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. WPI today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Nebivolol Hydrochloride Tablets, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. Watson's ANDA product is a generic version of Forest Laboratories' BYSTOLIC®, which is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that is approved for the treatment of hypertension. Forest Laboratories filed suit against Watson on March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware seeking to prevent Watson from commercializing its product prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent No. 6,545,040. The lawsuit was filed under the provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act, resulting in a stay of final FDA approval of Watson's ANDA until June 17, 2015 or final resolution of the matter before the court, whichever occurs sooner, subject to any other exclusivities.