Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.,a leading global pharmaceutical company, and Perrigo Company announced the launch of the generic equivalent to Temodar (temozolomide). Teva will manufacture, market and distribute the product in the US and both companies will equally share in the cost and profitability of the product in the US. Teva was first to file, making the product eligible for 180 days of marketing exclusivity.

This product is the generic equivalent to Temodar (temozolomide), indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme concomitantly with radiotherapy and then as maintenance treatment and refractory anaplastic astrocytoma patients who have experienced disease progression on a drug regimen containing nitrosourea and procarbazine.

Temodar had annual sales of approximately $423 million in the United States, according to IMS data as of December 31, 2012. The launch of this product provides a quality alternative, making cancer therapy more cost effective for patients who suffer from this devastating cancer.

Perrigo's chairman, president and CEO Joseph C Papa stated, "This first-to-file launch with our partner Teva is another example of our focus to manufacture complex API's. We are pleased to offer this important product to patients in the United States."

"We are pleased to partner with Perrigo to offer patients a high-quality, less expensive alternative of this important medicine. This launch demonstrates Teva's commitment to continue to pursue first-to-market opportunities and enhance the value of our portfolio by concentrating on high-margin, low competition markets," stated Allan Oberman, president and CEO of Teva Americas Generics.

From its beginnings as a packager of generic home remedies in 1887, Allegan, Michigan-based Perrigo Company has grown to become a leading global provider of quality, affordable healthcare products. Perrigo develops, manufactures and distributes over-the-counter (OTC) and generic prescription (Rx) pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products, animal health, dietary supplements and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).