Akorn, Inc. Signs a Definitive Purchase and Supply Agreement With Natco Pharma Limited to Market Two Oral Drug Products.

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. -- Akorn, Inc. (AMEX:AKN) today announced that it has signed a Purchase and Supply Agreement with Natco Pharma Limited (NSE:NATCOPHARM)(BSE:524816), located in Hyderabad, India, to commercialize two ANDA oral drug products for cancer patients suffering from nausea and vomiting.

The two drug products will focus on the anti-emetic market, and have a current market size of approximately $800 million. Natco will be responsible for the development and manufacturing of both drug products, while Akorn will be responsible for marketing and distribution in the hospital, clinic, and home healthcare markets in the United States and Canada.

Arthur S. Przybyl, Akorn's President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are very excited to close the deal with our partner, Natco Pharma. These two drug products complement our oncology line of injectable products already in development."

Chowdary V. Nannapaneni, Natco Pharma's Chairman and Managing Director stated, "Natco is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to leverage the marketing skills and distribution strengths of Akorn with respect to these two products. It should be mentioned that Natco has already filed an ANDA for one of the products. Natco looks forward to a mutually profitable relationship with Akorn."

About Akorn, Inc.

Akorn, Inc. manufactures and markets sterile specialty pharmaceuticals. Akorn has manufacturing facilities located in Decatur, Illinois and Somerset, New Jersey and markets and distributes an extensive line of hospital and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Additional information is available at the Company's website at www.akorn.com.

About Natco Pharma Limited

Natco Pharma Limited is an integrated pharmaceutical company based out of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Natco has four manufacturing facilities in and around Hyderabad. Among these, a large API facility and a finished dosage pharmaceutical formulations facility are approved by the U.S. FDA. Natco also has an independent Research Centre located at Hyderabad which supports its manufacturing facilities. Additional information is available at the Company's website at www.natcopharma.co.in.

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