R&D Labs in Florida division of Actavis open

New analytical and R&D laboratories to expand the research and development efforts for controlled release and other technically difficult generic pharmaceutical products opened in Actavis South Atlantic, a United States division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis.

The labs have been expanded by about 300 sq meters and the new R&D labs have been expanded by about 140 sq meters. The CEO of Actavis Group, Sigurdur Oli Olafsson, participated in the celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Recently launched Actavis South Atlantic products in the United States include Bupropion XL and SR, the generic equivalents of GSK’s Wellbutrin XL® and SR® as well as Nifedipine ER, the generic equivalent of Bayer’s Adalat® CC.

“Actavis in the United States is focused on our vision and commitment to be on the cutting edge of new technology. The expansion of our South Atlantic R&D facility ensures that we remain well-positioned to develop and manufacture XL (extended release) and CR (continuous release) drugs,” said Doug Boothe, Actavis U.S. CEO.

Actavis is one of the leading companies in the U.S. market in the development of controlled release products, with more than EUR 50 million expected to be invested in controlled release development in 2008. Actavis has 13 pending ANDAs for controlled release products with the FDA.

About Actavis Group

Actavis is one of the world’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies specializing in the development, manufacture and sale of generic pharmaceuticals. Based in Iceland, the company has operations in 40 countries, with 11,000 employees.

CR versions of drugs expand the therapeutic application of products and are highly sought after by branded pharmaceutical companies because of their ability to extend product life cycles. Actavis South Atlantic applies its proprietary technologies to selected high value branded pharmaceuticals and duplicates the release characteristics of the originator drugs in order to bring to market generic versions that can be substituted for these branded products.