Fluvastatin SR extended release tablets from Actavis are the generic equivalent of Novartis’ Luvinsta® SR / Lescol® XL and are available in 80mg tablets in both markets. Fluvastatin SR is used to treat high cholesterol levels in the blood.

Fluvastatin SR tablets are manufactured by Actavis Malta and developed by Actavis’ R&D in Iceland.

This launch was possible after Actavis won a court case in January 2009 in the UK, whereby Novartis’ formulation patent for Fluvastatin SR, which prevented launch of the product until 2017, was revoked. The formulation patent has also been revoked in the Netherlands.

Enquiries
Actavis Group
Hjordis Arnadottir
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. For more information about Actavis, please visit our website: 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.

This press release was brought to you by Actavis

The joint company intends to enter the Japanese generic pharmaceutical market right away in April 2009. ASKA will hold a 55 percent stake in the venture and Actavis will hold 45 percent.

“We are convinced this is the best way to enter the Japanese market,” says Actavis CEO Sigurdur Oli Olafsson. “We bring the power of a global generic pharmaceutical company to the table, while ASKA is an experienced local partner. We are very much looking forward to a long and successful partnership. The government’s policy to increase the share of generics during the next few years is key to our decision to enter at this time.”

Contributing to society by developing and providing innovative pharmaceutical products, ASKA Pharmaceutical is a research and development (R&D) orientated company located in Tokyo. ASKA concentrates its management resources on specific therapeutic areas.

Actavis is one of the world’s biggest generic pharmaceutical companies. Established in 1956, the group has more than 10,000 employees operating in over 40 countries around the globe. Actavis’ headquarters are in Iceland.

Actavis Group and ASKA Pharmaceutical formally signed the agreement establishing the new joint company: Actavis ASKA K.K following the signature of a preliminary agreement last November.

For further details, visit www.actavis.com