Barr says Warner Chilcott waives its license on Ovcon 35

The waiver makes the license non-exclusive and as a result Barr Laboratories, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, intends to launch its generic version of Ovcon 35 in October 2006. The company expects to launch the first generic version of Ovcon 35 under the trade name Balziva.

Balziva will bring Barr’s generic oral contraceptive portfolio up to a total of 24 products.

In April 2004, Barr received approval from FDA to manufacture and market a generic version of Ovcon 35 oral contraceptive. As a result, Warner Chilcott exercised its option to acquire an exclusive license for Barr’s generic version of Ovcon 35 oral contraceptive option and was granted a five-year exclusive license to sell the product under Barr.

Under a related supply agreement, Barr had been manufacturing Ovcon 35 for Warner Chilcott. Barr stated that it does not anticipate further product orders from Warner Chilcott at this time.

Ovcon 35 had annual sales of approximately $95 million for the twelve months ending July 2006, based on industry sources.