IVAX Provides Gabapentin (Neurontin) Update

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October 10, 2004 11:00 PM US Pacific Timezone LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

IVAX Corporation UK Regulatory Announcement: IVAX Provides Gabapentin

Update

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

IVAX Corporation (AMEX:IVX) (LSE:IVX.L) announced today that Alpharma

Inc. has

triggered the start on their 180-day exclusivity period with the launch

of their

gabapentin 100, 300 and 400 mg capsules.

IVAX continues to sell gabapentin 100, 300 and 400 mg tablets which are

being

well received. In addition to having received 180-day exclusivity from

the

Federal Bureau of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the gabapentin

100, 300

and 400 mg tablets, IVAX has received tentative approval from the FDA

for the

gabapentin 100, 300 and 400 mg capsules. IVAX will commence selling the

capsules

when Alpharma's period of exclusivity expires.

Gabapentin is the generic equivalent of Neurontin®, marketed by

Warner-Lambert

in 100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg capsules and 600 mg and 800 mg tablets.

IVAX also

has received tentative approval on the 600 mg and 800 mg tablets.

According to

IMS data, U.S. sales of Neurontin were approximately $2.7 billion a

year.

IVAX Corporation, headquartered in Miami, Florida, discovers, develops,

manufactures, and markets branded and brand equivalent (generic)

pharmaceuticals

and veterinary products in the U.S. and internationally.

Copies of this and other news releases may be obtained free of charge

from IVAX'

website at http://www.ivax.com.