Pantoprazole from Actavis launched on patent expiry in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands

Actavis Group, the international generic pharmaceuticals company, launched Pantoprazole tablets in Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands as the patent expired on 6 May. This is Actavis Group’s first own brand launch of this molecule.

In Germany and the Netherlands, the product was also launched by Actavis’ third party sales division’s (Medis’) customers at the same time. Earlier this year, Medis’ customers launched the product in Hungary and Poland.

Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat problems, including acid reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole Actavis is the generic equivalent of Wyeth’s Protonix®.

Pantoprazole Actavis is available in 20mg and 40mg tablets. The product was developed by Actavis R&D in Iceland, and manufactured by Actavis Malta.

IMS Health reported EU Brand sales of EUR1.1 bln in 2008.

Enquiries
Actavis Group
Hjördís Árnadóttir
Director – External Communications
Tel: (+354) 535 2300 / 840 7476
E-mail: harnadottir@actavis.com

About Actavis Group
Actavis is one of the world’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies specializing in the development, manufacture and sale of generic pharmaceuticals. The company has operations in 40 countries, with more than 10,000 employees. More information about Actavis can be found on www.actavis.com

Any statements contained in this press release that refer to Actavis’ estimated or anticipated future results or future activities are forward-looking statements which reflect the Company’s current analysis of existing trends, information and plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effect of regulatory actions, the success of new products, the strength of competition, the success of research and development issues, unexpected contract breaches or terminations, exposure to product liability and other lawsuits, the effect of currency fluctuations and other factors.

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