The Phoenix facility currently manufactures fifteen products, including several manufactured for third parties. Over the next twelve months, the company plans to establish contract manufacturing agreements for key products with third-party suppliers or with a new owner of the facility. If a suitable purchaser is not identified, Watson expects to close the facility by the end of the second quarter in 2007.
“I wish to thank the entire employee team at Phoenix for their focus and commitment since becoming part of our organization in 2000, following our acquisition of Schein Pharmaceutical,” began Dr Allen Chao, Watson’s Chairman and CEO.
The Phoenix facility is the only sterile injectable manufacturing operation owned by Watson. The facility was acquired in 2000 as part of the company’s acquisition of Schein Pharmaceutical and employs approximately 236 employees.