Thursday, July 5, 2007

Depomed Reaquires Rights to ProQuin XR

Depomed Depomed, Inc. announced today it has ended the license agreement and the related supply and co-promotion agreements with Esprit Pharma for ProQuin® XR, the extended release formulation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Pursuant to the termination agreement, Esprit has paid Depomed $17,500,000. Esprit will also return the ownership of the Proquin NDA to Depomed along with all promotional materials. In addition, the parties have agreed to a detailed transition plan with specific activities and timelines related to the transition of the product from Esprit to Depomed. Depomed will leverage the commercial distribution network it has established for Glumetza to book sales and distribute Proquin in the US.

"We are happy to have ProQuin back," said John W. Fara, Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Depomed. "We believe ProQuin will be a success, and we are continuing our discussions with potential new partners. We worked closely with Esprit to unwind the ProQuin agreements in a manner that assures our ability to continue commercializing ProQuin and appreciate their efforts in reaching this amicable agreement."

About ProQuin® XR

ProQuin XR is a once-daily extended-release formulation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and is indicated to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are bacterial infections frequently caused by E. coli and are typically treated with antibiotics. Patients should not take Proquin XR if they are allergic to, or have ever had a severe reaction to, ciprofloxacin or to any other "quinolone" antibiotics. ProQuin XR is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects with ProQuin XR include vaginal yeast infection and headache.

About Depomed

Depomed, Inc., is a specialty pharmaceutical company with two approved products on the market and multiple product candidates in its pipeline. The company utilizes its proven, proprietary AcuForm(TM) drug delivery technology to improve existing oral medications, allowing for extended, controlled release of medications to the upper gastrointestinal tract. Benefits of AcuForm-enhanced pharmaceuticals include the convenience of once-daily administration, improved treatment tolerability and enhanced compliance and efficacy. Glumetza(TM) (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets) is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and is being marketed in the United States by King Pharmaceuticals and in Canada by Biovail Corporation. ProQuin® XR (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) extended release tablets are approved in the United States for the once-daily treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Product candidate Gabapentin GR(TM) is currently in Phase 3 and Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of two pain indications, postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, respectively. A Phase 2 clinical trial of Gabapentin GR in menopausal hot flashes is also underway. Additional information about Depomed may be found on its web site, www.depomedinc.com

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