Barr Pharmaceuticals' subsidiary, Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has acquired from King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. the exclusive rights in the United States for Nordette (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) Tablets, according to an agreement between Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Under the terms of the agreement, Duramed acquired from King the exclusive rights to manufacture and market Nordette in the United States and King will assign to Duramed the regulatory approval in the United States. The acquisition price for the product is approximately $12 million.

"The addition of Nordette to our growing portfolio of proprietary products extends our leadership in oral contraception in the US," Bruce L. Downey, Barr's chairman and chief executive officer said adding, "With this agreement we now offer women both the brand and generic version of this oral contraceptive, and we further strengthen our portfolio of proprietary female healthcare products which includes our Seasonale extended-cycle oral contraceptive and Cenestin (Synthetic Conjugated Estrogens, A) hormone therapy."

Nordette is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception.