TEVA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF GENERIC WELLBUTRIN

Israeli drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced it has begun commercially shipping bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets 300 mg, the generic version of Biovail's antidepressant Wellbutrin XL, pursuant to an agreement with Impax Laboratories and Anchen Pharmaceuticals. Anchen won FDA approval last week of its generic bupropion, the first generic version of Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin XL 300 mg, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, had U.S. sales of approximately $972 million for the 12 months ending in September, according to IMS data.

Under the agreement, Teva will sell the product within Anchen's 180-day exclusivity. In return, Anchen will receive certain payments, both during and after the exclusivity period. Pursuant to Teva's existing agreement with Impax, Teva also has U.S. marketing rights to Impax's version of this product. Teva will record the revenues resulting from sales of the product and remit payments to Anchen and a negotiated percentage of its gross profit to Impax.

Biovail has brought patent infringement suits against both Anchen and Impax concerning this product. Anchen has been granted summary judgment of noninfringement, and Impax has filed a motion for summary judgment of noninfringement.