Watson and Novartis Settle Lawsuit Over Exelon(R) Patent ...( CORONA Calif. Dec. 6 /- WatsonPha...),Health

CORONA, Calif., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that it has reached a settlement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis AG, Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd., and Proterra AG (collectively "Novartis") on outstanding patent litigation related to Watson's generic version of Exelon(R) (rivastigmine tartrate) capsules.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Novartis has granted Watson a license to its U.S. patents covering Exelon(R) for a generic version of Exelon(R). The agreement generally provides that Watson will not commence marketing its generic equivalent product until sometime prior to the expiration of the patents covering Exelon(R). The specific date on which Watson may launch its generic product and other details concerning the settlement have not been disclosed. Watson's Abbreviated New Drug Application for its generic version of Exelon(R) has been tentatively approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Forward-Looking Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events 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. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 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 difficulty of predicting the timing and outcome of litigation; risks that
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