Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced the expansion of its generic product development alliance with Cipla Ltd., the second largest pharmaceutical company in India. The companies' original agreement was announced in December 2002.

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, the companies will work together to develop the additional products. Watson will be responsible for pursuing regulatory approvals for all developed products. Cipla will manufacture the products and Watson will have exclusive United States marketing rights. The specific products added to the agreement have not been disclosed.

"We continue to foster our strong relationship with Cipla, based on its vertical integration and proven ability to rapidly formulate products, evident by two Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) submitted to date," began Allen Chao, Ph.D., Watson's chairman and CEO. "Expanding our agreement with Cipla is consistent with our strategy of supplementing our internal product development efforts with alliances and product acquisitions that will expand our product portfolio."