WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Par
Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PRX) today announced that it began shipping the
20mg/1100mg and 40mg/1100mg strengths of omeprazole and sodium
bicarbonate capsules to the trade. Omeprazole and sodium
bicarbonate capsules are the generic version of Santarus’
Zegerid®. Annual U.S. sales of Zegerid capsules are
approximately $195 million, according
to IMS Health data. Par has been awarded 180 days of marketing
exclusivity for being the first to file an ANDA containing a
paragraph IV certification for these strengths of the product.

On April 14, 2010, the District
Court of Delaware held that the
patents covering Zegerid are invalid. The case is currently on
appeal at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Important information about omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate
capsules

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate is a combination of
omeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor, and sodium bicarbonate, an
antacid.  

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate is indicated for the
short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer, the short-term treatment
(4-8 weeks) of active benign gastric ulcer, the treatment of
heartburn and other symptoms associated with Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD) and short-term treatment (4-8 weeks) of
erosive esophagitis which has been diagnosed by endoscopy.

About Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.

Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based specialty
pharmaceutical company. Through its wholly-owne

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